American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-04-18
The visit TO Harrisburg.

is mainly taken from the Philadelphia
Inquirer
HARRIsBURG, March 16; 1866.
Three hundred and forty-fve orphans
Of deceased Pennsylvania soldiers, arrived
here to-day from the schools at McAllis-
tcrvile, Mount Joy aud Paradise. The
girls and boys were neatly and uniform.
ly clothed, the former in brown hoods,
black cloth cloaks and checked froeks,
and the latter in dark blue gold laced
caps, rouadabouts and gray pantaloons
Each party had its drum corps. The
McAlhsteryille school, of which Col G.
f. Mcfarland is principal, contains 81
boys and 62 girls that of Paradise, of
which Mr. Seymour Preston is principal,
So boys and 81 girls and that of Mount
Joy, of which Mr. j. r. Carothers is
principal, SO boys and 35 girls. They
were loudly cheered on airing at the Cap
itol, where they were taken charge Of by
the citizens who entertained them.
At 4 o'clock, p. m they appeared be
fore the members of both Houses of the
Legislature. In the hall of the House,
which was crowded with ladies and gen
tlemen, Governor Curtin and Speaker
Fleming, of the Senate, occupied seats on
either side Of Speaker Kelley, of the
House Hon Thos. H. Burrowes, Stete
Superintendent of Soldiers and Sailor
Orphans being introduced, spoke at
length, explaining the system of educa-
ting and maintaining the orphans. He
said the children present only represcn-
ted one third of the orphans in the more
advanced schools, and about one fifth of
the whole number now in charge of the
State. He said it had been noised
abroad, that these children had been
starved, kept dirty and without clothing,
and he directed the attention of the aud
renee to the little folks present, and ask
cd them to say, whether the report was
true. Not sick boy was left behind ;
all were healthy He then called on the
children for songs recitations, and other
exercises Col Mcfarland, teacher of
the McAllisteryile School, taking charge
Of the exercis 5.
"Rally Around the Flag Boys" was
then sung with great spirit, especially by
the girls.
Master Henry Albert, of the Meal,
listerville School, made the opening
speech, in which he, on the part of the
orphans Of Pennsylvania, thanked the
Governor, the soldiers friend, and the
Legislature, for their liberality in provi.
ding homes for them. His delivery was
fine, aud his words were greeted with
applause.
The girls from Mount Joy then sang
the ''Dear Old Flag"
Master David Leche, from Paradise
delivered an original address, which he
spoke with real eloquence. He thanked
the citizens Of Harrisburg for their kind.
ly entertainment Of his fellow orphans,
which they could appreciate.
The boys Of Paradise sang "Uncle
Sam is rich enough to send us all to
School" to the great amusement of the
audience.
Master Robert Booz, of Bristol, Bucks
county, son of color-Sergeant, killed in
the Pennsylvania Reserves, spoke pa
thetically Of the fallen heroes, and the
care their orphans were now receiving
and the McAllistereille School, sang the
Little Octoroon."
Master George Jacobs, of the Meal
listervile School, recited the "Orphan'
Appeal" an original poem.
The Mount Joy girls then sang "Tent.
ing on the Old Camp Ground"
Edward and Alice Drinkwater, Para
disc, spoke an amusing dialogue on "Life
Insurance"
The McAllisterville Drum Corps then
played "Yankce Doodle"
Master Severns, son of decd Penn.
sylvania Reserve soldier, rected "Oul
Fathers" having reference to the faith
ers who fell in the recent war. He said
if need be in fut ure, when they should
have reached the age Of manhood, they
would orally around the flag" like their
fathers.
The McAllistervile School sang ''On
on on" sequal of "Tramp tramp
tramp :" This was greeted with great
enthusiasm.
Maurice Fitery, of Paradise School
from Harrisburg, delivered an grafton on
"Our Heroes, His reference to Abm.
Lincoln and universal emancipation, was
loudly checrcd.
. Paradise school sang "The Angels
Welcome"
Daniel Reeder, Of McAllisterville, de.
livered poem.
Master Captain Fry, of McAllister.
vile, spoke Of the battles of the war;
His reference to Governor Curtin was
warmly received.
The valedictory was delivered BY Mas.
ter William Hunter, son of former
member of the 1st p. V. He promised
that the boys would improve, rendering
thanks to Superintendent Burrowes and
the teachers
The exercises closed by signing "The
Orphans Prayer" by the McAllister-
vile school, which brought tears to many
eyes not unused to weeping.
SPEECH OF GOV. CURTIN.
The Governor being called upon,
SAID -
l have been in the habit of addressing
the Legislature for several years past, but
only in obedience to the directions
of the Constitution. | would add
word to what we have heard.
-. IL 49,. .s,,,aL &c Al :.