The New York herald., 1869-06-13
MINIS TER CURTIN.
Farewell Reception of Our New Minister TO
Russia in Pbiladeipha-The Dinner AT the
Academy of aIusic-Speech of Minister Cur.

Academy of Music-Speech oil unister Cur.
PHILADELPHIA June IL, 1869.
The City Councils having rendered 10 Hon. A. G..
Curtin the use of Independence Hall for farewell
reception OF the citizens OF Philadelphia previous to
his departure to assume his duties as Minister to
Russia, to-day was set apart Tor the event. The
Mayor and City Councils assembled in the Select
Council Chamber at two O'Clock, and formed in pro-
cession and marched TO independence Hall. Gov
ernor Curtin entered few minutes afterwards
escor:ed by a committee OF the City Councils The
members OF the Council then formed semi
circle on the eastern side OF the room,
and Mayor Fox addressed Governor Curtin.
At the conclusion OF his remarks the doors were
thrown open TO the public. Quite a crowd had
gathered in front OF the hall and handshaking COM
menoed vigorously. The reception continued until
four O'Clock, and previous TO that time iarge dele
cation Of the Grand Army OF the Republic paid their
respects TO Mr.. Curtin.
The banquet this evening at the Academy OF Music
was grand affair. over 500 persons sat down at
I'VE p. NJ. The building was beautifully decorated
with American and Russian nags. The char was
taken by Judge Russell Thsyer, and large number
OF notables were present, including the Russian
Minister. Mr.. Cyrus W. Field, &c. After discussing
edibles Judge Thayer introduced Ex-Governor Cur.
TIN, who was received with loud applause.
Mr.. Curtin then spoke as foows:-
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR CURTIN.
am not lnsensible TO the compliment of this
ovation, and am deeply grateful for the warmth OF
your reception
MISUNDERSTANDING your nattering encouragement
deep and conflicting emotions perplex Inc In rising
10 address you. The occasion eXclteS the nveIeSt
feelings OF the heart and the great OF PRIDE
that i am deemed worthy OF such a demonstration
by the people OF my native state Is saddened by the
thought that 1t Is farewell, ana that am now
about to leave my friends and home for foreign
land No matter how much battered ny Tor.
tune or IN what position OF lie, II is always sad
60 tIa tnnc xNhi N nIs4x "a
circles 10 friends who have been faithful alike
In sunshine and shadow. IN prosperity ana adver-
as time chastens the attachment 10 the
aud shortcns the brief days allotted for their
enjoyment. With me the feelings excited by the
surroundings in which stand tonight reach far be-
youd the circle OIL individuals, grateful as my memo
Ties must ever be OF them. ! could not find lam
gunge TO express all owe to this great CITY and 70
our honored ana mighty commonwealth and her
free people. In the memorable struggle which as
sOclated my humble name with the imperishabe
honor OF the state, Philadelphia was generous ana
steadfast in her attachment 10 me. her voice was
largely instrumental IN making me candidate for
Governor, and throughout the six years OF my SER
Chief Executive her people kindly sus-
tanned me, and sacrlnce was deemed too
great TO vindicate her national government
wnen assaiied; and who can forget, who
can fan TO remember forever with pride
that pennsylvania was the 1rst and the grandest OF
All the states in her offerings Tor her government,
and the most heroic in her sufferngs for humanity
When others doub ed hesitaed, her faithful people
unalterlng IN tnelr hdeLty; and now the salts
faction to claim American citizenship all over the
wherever the martial virtues command homage ana
respect.
to call me to the Executive ONCE just as the heavy
couds OF war were gathering TO burst upon our
country and threaten the destruction OF our govern
ment In my once earnestly labored for peace; no
Measure OF concIliation consistent with pubc duty
ened the impending strife Our State stood
preeminent morally ana physically, In every phase
Ci the troubles and angr! passions winch led TO the
war, IN generous concessiors for peace Her voice
was for peace, and while she offered no threat or
menace she was the first 10 declare officially that
n fraternal war must come, all her forces III men
and money would he given 10 sustain the national
life. When war was forced upon us accepted the
great duties imposed upon me- How solemn and
exacting those duties were, how ceaseess, how
exhaustlng at all times. now intricate aud
lew can ever know To superintend the
organization OF 100000 troops furnished the ma
uonal government was task OF no common
magnitude, and when II is considered that 10
the calauuities Of war must be added the perils
OF dscord and turbulence IN her midst the dangers
of invasion from year TO year tue devastations
committed by the enemy on our own borders, and
the dark days OF gloom which followed each sue
ceeding sacrifice OF life, need not say that the po-
sIiion was one whose honors were won with meal
culable care and toll; nor did the duties end win
defending our state, preserving It's internal quiet,
And nling It's quota Of troops. 1t then that the
most arduons duties began More than hundred
thousand families IN our state were represented IN
the gallant armies OF the republic, and the appeals
OF affection for the SICK and tae wounded, ami the
long absent, told the stories OF anxious sollci-
tude 10 the Executive-the only power that
could serve them. The general government was
charged with me preservation oil lie VI re-
pubic. II had 10 accept war as II Is piiless reenl-
less Ind deaf 10 the lust claim OF a volunteer SOL
diery; 1t unable to gave adequate care TO tue
sck and the wounded or 10 appropriate TIE rltes OF
CHRISTIAN burial TO the dead IL could not minister
TO the bereayed homes and sustain the widow and
tue fatreress. IL did all, and even more than any
nation ever did for IL deienders but upon the state
Executive devoved the sacred obligations oi giving
The SILVER lining TO The cloud which hung
IKE a dead pail over homes. aln
proud tonight 20 say that PENNSYLVANIA
Sas the brst state to approach the statue
the soldiers who preserved our inheritance OF cvi
and religious n9eTty: say aPpao@,Sn , , ol We are az
SICK and the bereaved Of the war. We see our
manned aud hagcerd heroes mendlcants upon our
streets some are inmates Of our almsnOuses and
our pOOrhouse-, ana Wnlo some are indebted 20 the
voluntary contributions of The benevolent you nave
been pained even Tor fennsyVanIa, whose achieve.
mehts we're 20 brilliant ~ preserving the unity oi
our government. We ali feel proud thaf pennsyl-
wanna IN tue eXe.c4.e OF htaNeh-uHeciSi
Iefeso!once aud charity has gathered together
the helpless and Hc-siiute orphan, %. the
Commonwealth. TIE disabled soldiers OF the
war should be alike -tiailseis 20 want. II D
true tue national government mas done inuch loI
IN Lands nave been purcha-ei ana buiIulngs
have hecn erected. bal prOvsiou ha~ not oeen 'nade
for all oi t!a class OF ouI citilens and siueerey
Luss that positive ueliaih WIZ be lnaue py W.
people OF The Stste AZ the next session VI the leg $
la.ure Tor iuers measures to bc enacted for iheii
sGppOr lei II be uAEt oi tne proad history oi ihl-
groas state thai, accepting the war ~ necessity
She gave t Ifeey her best blood. and tnat now tn
orphab made destitute ny the war ~ PROVIDED 10
and Cducated, aud tlat u.e manned ana sic& niai
A. maintained ahd made comfortable not a. "a pau
rer. tn. a. % soder % tne republic, mat size. al
least tV her giLIy anu bonoT - Ju'l 10 Tue Nhs an
the deau.
Fenlsyltania was the nI5t 10 sC-l her human
representatives 20 every camp WbeI, her soldier
were 10 e found. tne lTst To 2iye teIa hef own ia
Ia cnarge them with the DOnOr 81 The State; the nrs
to furnish systematic all ana kind ninisiration- U
Inc sic. anu the wounded; tne first 30 send he
aseut 10 the national capital a. the aGI Ocate or ~
soldier N every hour OF need, Sud tle first 10 in
the means Tor the humblest IN tue l0nd to devoe m
last sad appeals Of aneCtiou ANA 10 Uury their MAJ
tyIed dead al home and their kindred In tho-
efforts 10 inspire brethren the beld aud
soften the sOrrOws OF war among tue people our siste
States generally either emuisted the eXampl
of Pennsylysn or accomplished the like results u
means If "A kindred character. ] rejoice that he
nobe deeds nave gladdeDed 20 many hearts an
mace ~ much atOncmenf TO The innuBierabie host
uI,on whom fell the earliest sacrifices Of her cOuntf
Ii pleased froyidence TO so direct ihs great peup
IN ther heroic struggles TO maintain their Tree g0'e