New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-22
GOV. EENTON AND THE SOLDIERS
Visit Of Governor Fentom 10 the New.Yerk
State Soidicrs' Depot-Speeoh Of the
Governor 10 the Soldiers.

On Saturday morning, at IL O'Clock, his Ex-
celency Gov. Fenton accompanied by Mr.. Victor NJ
Rice, State Superintendent Of Public Instruction, Gcn
r. A. Merritt. and others of his staff made visit Of
iuspe cton to the New.York State Soldiers Depot,
corner of Howard and Mercer.sts. The visitors were
received by Col ncout Co.yer the State gent. who
cOud oted them through the various apartments. The
visitors expressed themselves highly gratifed at the
admirable state Of cleanliness and order which every
where prevailed.
The following is a description Of the buildings
pied. On thc Eowariss. side. ia the basement Is a
spacious Kitchen with provision and meat vault This
place IL kept in the most clearly manner anu there IL
the least offensive smell arising from either the
cooking ranges OF Tie vaults beneath the sidewalk
where the meat is kept 90 To first floor is the dining
room, containing long tables, Pate pantry carving
room, &c. There are two sets Il cooks aud WATERS
who 40 ON duty day and night Soldiers arriving
any line during the night are thus sure OF a
good meal, besides a good bed In which TO sleep
ON the cond floor Il the appointments Office the
readiug ON and library. lbs floor Is also occupied
on SUNDAYS for religious services, when II is formed
toto sort Of ohaIel 10y the Introduction Of movable
pulpit o. the thrd floor is the general sleeping chamber
containing ninety beds, all clean snd conf" table
po,s be Above this the fourth hO0r IS s.uated the
hospital and adjoining Il, tie doctors shop, On the
top floor are sixty more beds laundry, store room,
station agents room &c The entrance for soldiers IL
on The Mereerst side where there is always station
agent WHO gives such nforma lon a. 'leTs may re-
qule in reference 70 the arrival and dep 'lre oitrain
ste lmbosts sc.
There il no difference whatever made In regard TO
those Who Apply the building is open to the soldiers
from every State in tie Onion, and they are fgnhhed
with meals. lodgBgs, medical attendance and anDu-
lar &c conveyance all tines free Of charge upon PIE
sen.Ahon of their furlough or discharge papers.
me institution is under tAe control OF COY. Fenton
| The principal officers are oc follows: Col Nincen,
Coycr Superintendent; Surgeon L. Lee Jones; Core
sponding secretary. 4. l.. Provost; Transfer Clerk,
Thomas II. Miles. About 10 persons are employed IN
The number OF soldiers received in the institution in
January last was 1900; IN February. 1900; March.
it9, Apr, 5,oi9i rom the lsl TO the 18th OF May,
500 total 81 SIS Total number received since the
opening OF ;he Institution In May. 1863 $50 go
At the conclusion OF the inspection, the inmates OF
the depot assembled IN the large nall. when Col.
COLYER ,iepped forward and in some predatory re
mai KS introduced Gov Fenton Mr. COlyer spoke of
the great interest Gov. Fcnton had taken in the wei
fare ~ the soldiers OF this state. at whose Instance the
Legislature had incorporated " Home for Disabled
Soldiers but rs yet the men charged with the duty
had tax steps for It's establishment. This lDstltu
ton was not intended for permanent residence, but
was place OF entertainment ior the soldier whe pass
ing through the city, lie spoke Also q. the great
work the various agencies would have 10 perform short
iy In caring for the immense numbers OF ga-nt sol
ders about returning TO their homes and families aud
hoped that the resources OF the Institution would be
/ suiloiei for the requirements.
Gov. FENToS then stepped forward. and was onthusi.
astcaly received md expressed his thanks for .he
dial ptiOn that had teen rendered hm, and wei
coined lie soldiers the comforts and conyenenccs Of
TIE depot which had been provided by tLe State for
them nile passing through the city, cheering them on
weary when returning from the South aud ut all times
giving aid and CO.. sel 10 the brave defenders Of our
county. lie spoke Of the exertions of the State and
said Ia sTmpathy We have followed them to the Valley
of the Mississippi, TO the mountains at Chattanooga
and back again 20 the Potomac We have followed
them from The Potomac in the great movements that
have jus; culilnated. We have attended our soldiers
and sailors all along the coast anu Into tho Gut We
have looked after them In battle, and have minis
tered 10 them IN the smoke of the conflict. We
have looked Mr them aud done what We
could for comfort IN the furthest Southern cline
ms well US In The northern region OF the battle
ground. But The people mad not done al that was due
TO the soldiers the men who had left friends and fire
sides and with their lives III their hanos had gone down
10 do battle tor the country and It's aws-the great
work of the fathers. We shalt never pay the debt
these noble men; but history would render full
tribute Ia their memory Tho names Of those who had
fhe. in this conflict would be forever cherished and
honored as cherish and honor the names Of the
parrots vi the revolution. The soldiers have fought this
battle tor the unity Of the Republic; they have main
tanned our natonayi they have done more have
made the Declaration Of Independence living embodl.
80 the truth that all men endowed with the in
aena rights of lite, liberty and the pursuit Of hap
piness without regard to the color Of their complex
ION. The soldiers have inauguraied IN their cOun.
try n OF liberty and freedom which viii he per
petuated upon tho American continent. They
have not onl. secured tho perpetuity OF our in.
suons tut have made those institutions more sacred
than before. lilo then alluded ~ the early return
homo of the sUdicrs What lie had 10 ask was. hat
would be their conduct when they had gone out Of the
service and entered the walks VI private lifef Would
they not prove thai they were competent TO perform
tie duties and exercise the civil rights Of freone as
they were to maintain tho integrity and honor of free
government amid the h.slng OF steel and the booming
# canIoni The GoyorlCr said he was sure the SOL
dors would assume ut their proper place IN peace
fu pursuits and they and their posterty would see 10
it that free institutions Mere sale through all time to
come. In going hence they had his best wishes for
their happiness and prosperity la the varied emergencies
and duties OF life
At tho direction of Mr.. CoIyer the soldiers we're
passed to tue spot where Governor Fenton standing
and permitted TO take him by the hand lie had kind
word for oach aud word of sympathy and cordial greet
ing. Several VI them still boys these he spoke 10
with more than common earnestness. The coorsl
soldiers also received most cordial Acknowledgements