American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-06-08
OPENING of the Sanitary Fair.

introduced the Governor as Orator OF the
Day, in the following words:
Ladies and GeatJemen: ! have been
told that it is my duty, as Chairman OF the
Executive Committee, to open the eere-
monies of the occasion and that, in imi-
tation of the doings in the great metropo-
lis, | should make speech to the ladies,
handing over to them the results of their
own labors. All that can be said to the
Fair" has been said-ever since Adam
began to talk in the Garden. Ahtsat can
pro6tably be said Of the Sanitary Fair
and its holy purpose will doubtless be found
in the address of the Orator Of the Day,
therefore open the ceremonies by intro
ducing to you His Excellency Hon. A.
G. Curtin. -. ss..
Three cheers were Immediately propos-
ed for the Governor by Joseph r. Hun
ter, Esq, and the Auditorium trembed
with the shouts of the thousands therein
assembled.
GOVERNOR CURTIN 5 ADDRESS.
Governor Curtin then stepped to the front
of the platform, amid loudapplause, spoke
as follows:
OF the many occasions Of public inter
est in which have been called officially
to take part during the past three event
full years, can refer to none, which IS
more grateful in all its associations, than
the present; and ] turn With profound
admiration and gratitude to this people,
and their benifcent and pious purpose
Since the commencement Of the rebel
lion, my field Of labor has been at the
same time a post of observation and with
the knowledge of the fidelity Of the peo-
pie of Pennsylvania to principle-of their
generous sacriiices--of theirenduringaud
persistent devotion-l regard it as an in
estimable privilege, to epemitted touniie
with them, and for them, in the common
cause.
The day has passed, or is in the future
of restored and happy country. for The
discussion Of questions which led to the
bloody, wasting war, now sweeping over
so large part Of our land The eyiden-
ces Of undeuiable facts ought, ere this to
have convinced every citizen Of the ehUth;
and it is wonderful to suppose that any
intelligent mind can doubt in forming con
clusions, or hesitate in theayowal of them.
Would there were none; and ] am proud
to say there are very few in Pennsylva-
MIA, who do doubt, and they scarce meet
the broad light of that sun Of patriotism
which now illuminates the landscape OF
death but when the shouts Of freedmen
are ringing in their ears, and the air is
ablaze with heaven born enthusiasm, sit
in dark corners, croning p@ons to a sla-
very which is forever broken by its own
struggles for supremacy, and signing iol
the return to national power Of men who
arefit denizens of perdition. Applause l
The class alluded to, l. repeat, is compos-
posed of but few The masses, differing
as they always win, upon political issues
and taught to discuss them rs they have
been wisely for more than three quarters
Of century, are loyal tothe core, and dc.
voted to the maintenance of their Govern.
ment, and any attempt to prevent discus,
sion, or call hard names is as unwise as il
is unjust. Here TO day have we not as.
sembled to unite in the performance Of a
duty so sacred, so undeniably pure. so un-
questionably right, that we can sink in the
sublimity Of the hour, party and sect, re
ligion and creed, and lay upon the altaro
our distressed country, the great ofering
of free people. and magnifying our Coy
ernment above all earthly blessings, swear
to maintain it against the united assaults
Of insane ambition, folly and treason. -
(Applause.) In such moment, is it no
well to turn to the teachings of the faith
ers of the Republic, while they dealt, a.
they best could. with the means and peo
pie then existing, and with almost God
like wisdom and foresight, formed thi
great country; Does not every line anC
precept Of the past indicate to us that the'
feared for our future, and saw the grea
problem that we must eventually solve
Else, why did the author of the decIara
tion himself tremble when he reflected
that God was just : or why did the mar
who once laid his iron hand on treason ans
crushing the ''nullifiers, protecting thi,
Government from the attempted secession
of that day, utter in a private letter to ;
friend, which has recently been published
the following words of wisdom and aiec
ton?
III inclose herewith the usual gift tC
this namesake that have bestowed in al
my Others. 1t bears the impress of the
eagle of his country, displayed ON all hel
banners; and as the child grows in year.
and in wisdom, have to depend upor
you to explain to him, with this iujupc
tion Of his godfather, thatwhen he arrive,
at the years of manhood, he will alway,
be found sustaining the eagleof his cJun
try from the insult or grasp Of foreign
foe (cheers) and tie still more dangerous
enemy, The intestine traitor, foud applause
pho may engage IN the wiched schsm'
Of seuering our glorious Union, upon
aohich depeadsthe perpetaatio1lof our hap.
Py Government, lchtch aoW endure so long
as our coatederated system lasts and no
longer. Insta IN has mind that or Fed
erat Union mast be PRESCRIBED To the pa.
triotism of his dear parents, / trust this
lesson will be early impressed, with all
moral virtues, on his mind.
81 beg you to kiss the dear boy for me,
and present him with my blessing. Ny
prayers will be constantly offered up for