Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1863-04-17

ly fulfilled all legislation in support Of
the cause has been enacted without delay;
aud Pennsylvania is entitled to be ranked
first amongst the States that have been
throughout unfinchiDg in their determi-
na ion to subdue the sacriligious wretches
who are eudeavoriDg to destroy the last
Temple Of Liberty.
The Stale has not been i0sensible to
the sacrifices which her sons have made.
No effort has been spared by her authori-
ties to secure their comfort and welfare
Under legislative provisions to that effect,
her sick and wounded have been followed
aud cared for, and, when practicable,
friends; and the bodies of the slain, when
possible, have been returned for burial in
the soil of the State. The contributions
Of her citizens, in supplies Of luxuries aud
comforts, for all her volunteers, have been
almost boundless, aud nothing has been
omitted that could encourage and stimu,
late them in the performance Of their holy
duty. They have felt, upon every march
aud in every camp, however desolate their
immediate surroundings, that the eyes
aud hearts Of the loved ones a. home were
upon and with them.
The result is, that Pennsylvania is act.
ually in position on which it is my duty
to congratulate you, as her representatives.
Notwithstanding the immense drain Of
her population, her industry is thriving at
home, aud SO far as it may not be hurt by
causes over which she has no control, must
continue to prosper. Her finances we're nev-
er in a more healthy condition-her peo-
pie were never in better heart.
That the labors, anxieties and RESPONSE
bili,ies of her Executive have been great
and harassing, need not say. have
given to them my nights aud days, with,
| trust, a single eye to the public welfare.
| claim no special merit in this. | would
have been unworthy to be called q man
had | done otherwise. If l am proud of
the result, it is that | am proud of the
people who have effected IT, To be called
a freeman Of Pennsylvania, is henceforth
to have title of honor wherever loyalty,
patriotism and the martial virtues are
cherished 1t is to be observed, moreover,
tha. the labors which l have necessarily
undergone have already impaired my
health. | should have serious cause to
apprehend that a much longer continu-
ancs of them might so break it down, as
to render me unable TO fulfill the duties
Of my position. 1t is to be added, that,
as the approaching season will probably
be the most eveutful period in the history
of the country, will be able with more
effect to discharge my duties, if | avoid
being made the centre of an active politi-
cal struggle. Under these circumstances,
it has pleased the President of the United
States to tender me q high position, at
the expiration Of my present term Of Office,
and | have not felt myself at liberty to
do otherwise than accept this Offer As |
shall, for all these reasons, retire from
Office at the close of my present term, L
havo thought this o not inappropriate
mode Of announcing that fact.
10 taking leave of you, may be per-
mitted to say, that, as Governor of the
Commonwealth, have given, as was my
duty, and shall continue to give, an active
and earnest support to the Government
of the United States, 10 its effort to sup.
press the existing rebellion. As private
citizen, shall continue heartily to uphold
the President and his administration as
the only means by which this result can
be at,aiued-or, in other words, the coun.
try can be saved. | give this as my de.
liberate opinion, and shall openly, can
didly and zealously act in accordance
with it.
OF the warm hearted friends, to whom
| owe so much, and of the people of the
who, regardless of party,
have never tired of cheering my tolls and
snxieties by tokens of their generous con.
idence and approval, l can not speak with
can do 20 more than express
10 them the deepest, truest, and mos.
heartfelt gratitude.
Hoping that you may safely return to
POUR homes and families after your public
abors, and With the best wishes for your
Individual welfare aud happiness, l now
id you farewell. A. G. CURTIN.