Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1863-04-17
Message from Gov. Curtin.
EXECU TIVE CHAMBER,

Harrisburg, April 10, 1868.
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tves of the Commonwealth of Peuusyl-
vania:
GENTLEMEN: In taking leave of you
at the close Of the session, think it
proper, under existing circumstances, to
70 beyond the usual formali,ies.
The par,iality of my fellow citizens
placed me in the Office which now hold,
at a period of great public distraction,
which soon eliminated in the breaking
out Of the Rebellion, which is still raging.
The country had SO long slumbered in
unbroken tranquility, that We had in this
State almost forgotten the possibility of
auy violation of our domestic peace.
Even our militia laws had been suffered
to fall into disuse, and we're reduced to a
merely permissive organization of few
uniformed volunteer companies in various
parts Of the State. The whole mind Of
our people was directed to peaceful and
Industrious pursuits. Conscious them
selves Of no intention to ipjure the rights
or interests of others, or in any way to
violate the Constitution under which We
had thriven, they were unable to realize
the designs of wicked and abandoned
men, even after they had been publicly
aud boastingly proclaimed.
Although for many months war had
been actually levied against the United
States, 10 South Carolina aud elsewhere,
i. is fact that the people of this Com
monwealth were first startled into sense
of the common danger BY the lombard.
ment of Fort Sumpter. The Legislature
was then iu session, aud Immediately made
such provision as was at the moment
deemed ne'e sary. But, shortly after
its adj djournment, events having rapidly
adva need, aud the Capital Of the country
being in apparent dauger,I deemed it ne
cessary to convene it again early in May,
1861, to adopt measures for placing the
State on footing adequate to the emer-
gency. This was promptly and cheerfully
done. Five hundred thousand dollars bad
been appropriated at the regular session
for military purposes, and to that sum
was then added authority to borrow three
millions of dollars. This loan, notwith-
standing the depressed condition of the
finances of the country, and tho alarm
md distrust then prevailing, was prompt
y taken by our own citizens, at par; and,
It the suggestion of the Executive, laws
we're passed for organizing our military
orces, and especially for Immediately
aising and supporting at the expense of
be State body of fifteen Thousand men,
allied the Reserve Corps, to be ready for
Immediate service when required. The
of the United States had
allied out seventy y-fve thousand militia to
erve for three months, of which the quota
Peunsylvania was Immediately fur
isbed. The Reserve Corps was raised,
1uipped and disciplined by the State,
nd contributed largely under Providence .
saving Washington after the first disas- !
II at Bull Run; and from that time, We t
,ntinued to add regiment after regiment :
the service of the country required. /.
From the first movement until the i
resent hour, the loyalty and indomitable /.
,irit of the freemen of Pennsylvania have a
zen exhibited in every way on'every GO. 4
sion they have Aocked to the standard e
their country in her hour of peril, and ,
we borne it victoriously on battle fields !,
om Maryland, Virgiuis and Kentucky h
the far South and Southwest; they /
we never faltered for moment. 1t has ?
en- my pride to occupy position which N
sbled me to become familiar With all p
cir patriotism and self devotion, and IL
guide their efforts. Postority will do !, :,
sm full justice. Every rcquisition Of b
9 General Government has been prompt ,s