Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-08-17
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
ENECUTIVK UmAMBER.
HARRIsBuRG. August 9, 1864.

HARRISBURG, August ., 1864.
IL He Senate and H9rse Of Reprcseatdtires
of he Commonwealth Of PeHHSBiroaio.
GENTLEMEN II have called you together
III advance OF your adjourned session, for the
purpose of taking some action for the de
fence of the State From the commence
inert Of the present rebellion, Pennsylvania
has done her whole duty to the Government.
Lying as her southern counties do, in the
immediate vicinity Of the border, and thus
expo:ed to sudden invasion, a selfish policy
would have led her 10 retain Il sufficient part
Of her military force for her own defence.
In 20 doing, she would have failed in her du-
ty to the whole country Not only would
her men have been withheld from the field
OF general operations, but the loans and tax
alton which would have become necessary,
would have to large extent diminished the
ability of her people to comply with the pc
cuniary demands OF the United States. She
would also have necessarily intertered with
and hampered all Il c military action Of the
Government and made herself TO some eX-
tent, responsible for any failures and short
comlngs that may have occurred In pur-
suancc Of the policy thus deliberately adopt
ed, this State has steadily devoted her men
to the general service. From the beginning
she has always been among the first to Ee-
spond tn the calls OF the United States. ;ts
IS shown by her history from the three
month men and the Reserve Corps to the
present moment. Thu, faithfully fulfilling
all her own obligations, she has a right tD
lie defended BY the National force, as part
of Il common country. Any other view
would be absurd and unjust. She OF course
cannot complain when she suffers by the
necessary contingencies Of war. The refec-
made upon the people OF her southern coun-
ties are most unfOundcd. They were inya-
dcd in 1862. when Union army much su-
pcilor to any force OF the rebels tand on
which they had Of course a right to rely,
was lying IN their Immediate vicinity and
north of the Potomac They were again in
vaded IN 1863, after the defeat of the T.
mon forces under Nilroy. at Winchester.
and they have again suffered in 1864, after
the defeat of the Union forces under Crook
and Averll How could an agricultural
people in an open country be expected to
rise suddenly and beat back hostile forces
which had defeated organized veteran az
mics Of the Government?
1t Is Of course expected that he lnhahi-
tantS Of an invaded country viii do what Is
IN their power TO resist the invaders, and
the facts hereinafter stated viii show, |
rhnk. that the people Of these counties
have not failed in this duty. il Pennsyiya
MIA, by reason Of her geographical position,
has required to be defended by the national
force, it has only been against the common
enemy. Il has never been necessary to
weaken the army in the field, By sending
heavy detachmCnts Of veterans tC save her
cities from being devastated by small bands
oi rutfanS, composed Of their OWN inhab-
tants. Nor have her people been disposed
10 sneer at the great masses OF lawabiding
citizens I'm any other State who have requir-
I'D such protection. ! ct when brutal en-
uny pursuing defeated body Of Union
forces, crosses our border and burns de
ienceleSs town, this horrid barbarity instead
OF firing the hearts Of all the people Of our
common country, is actually in some quar-
ierS made the occasion OF mOckS aud g,bes
al the unfortunate sufferers, thousands Of
whom have been rendered hOuSeeSS. And
these hcartless SCOTS proceed from the very
men who, when the State authorities, fore
seeing the danger were taking precautionary
measures, ridiculed the idea Of there being
any danger, sneered at the exertlons to pre-
pare for meeting it, aud succeeded to some
extent ~ thwarting their efforts 10 raise
lorceS. These men are themselves morally
responsible for the calamity over which they
now chuckle and rub their hands.
II might have been hOped-nay, we hal
anght to expect-that the people OF the
ipyai States engaged in common effort to
preserve their Government and al that is
dear to treemen, would have forgotten, at
Ieasi for the time, their wretched local ieal
ousies, aud sympathized with all their 10y
al iel!ow-citizens wherever resident IN the
IorderS OF our common country. 1t should
.fe ue remembered that the original source Of
lne present rebellion was In such jealousies
encouraged for wicked purposes by unscru-
pulous politicians. The men who for any
purpose now continue to encourage them,
osght to be held as public enemies enemies
" our Union and our peace, and should be
ueated as such. Common feelings-com-
alon Synpathies-are the necessary founda
"0p' OF common free Government.
am proud to say that the people of