The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-01-14

unteer companies; in 1867, thirty.eight;
in 1868, sixty-seven, and In 1862 one
hundred and eighty-four. No less than
one hundred and seven companies were
organized during the year ending No
vember 80, 1862 of which fifty-six are
in Philadelphia, and tlfty.one in other
parts of the State.
This is a small but efficient and well
equipped force, which, in case of riot,
rebellion, or other public danger, would
be ready at once to imperil itself for the
enforcement of the laws, and the pro-
lection of the lives and property Of the
citizens. 1t is, therefore, desirable that
the Legislature should give the volun-
teers such practical aid as would, in
some degree, compensate them for the
time and money expended 10 maintain
their organizations, in which the people
are as much interested as the volun-
teers themselves.
The report of the Adjutant General
will be found very interesting docu-
ment, containing much valuable infor-
nation and many important sngges.
tions. A careful perusal olits contents.
and such action thereon as seems to be
demanded by their importance is re-
commended. General ID. B. MCreary
has been elected to membership in one
of your honorable bodies, and with his
last report he closed his career as Ad.
jutant General. In losing his valuable
services from position he has SO ably
filled for more than two years, the hope
is INDUCED that the department VIII
gain an intelligent and devoted friend,
and an able and efficient advocate In
the halls of legislation,
MILITARY HISTORY.
The report of the State Historian ID
deserving of your careful attention. In
it you will find adetaile d account of the
operations of his department from its
commence mont to the present time.
The work entrusted TO his care is one of
no culinary character and rtsICnsibili-
ty, lCquiring talents Of high oIder,
patient industry, careful research, and
unbiased judgment. The labor TO be
performed is immense, and can only be
properly appreciated by those fully ac-
Quainttd with its magnitude. 1t tm-
braces faithful account of all the or
carnations of Pennsylvania troops dur
ing the war of the rebellion; the cOllec-
tiOn and adjustment, in a comprehen-
sive form of each military organization,
and an unprejudiced description of all
military transactions of Importance, SO
far as the volunteers of this State are
| concerned, in the camp and in the field,
| throughout the most terrific conflict Of
arms that has ever occurred in the his
tory of the world. The propriety of
such work must be apparent TO every
intelligent citizen of the commonwealth
| Certainly it is due 10 the citizen soldiers
who offered their lives in defence OF
their country, that their names should
at least, receive place in the archives
of the State, toward whose honor and
glory their gallant deeds have so largely
contributed.
| The work of the historian, when COM
pleted, will embrace four large octave
volumes, in which the name of every
Pennsylvania volunteer will have its
apr pIropriate place. Two of these vol
umes are already completed, in man.
ner highly creditable to the Common
wealth. The third is rapidly progress
ing, and with generous appropriation
on The part of your honorable body the
entire history will be executed, if not
before, soon after the close Of the pres
ent year. Most other States are pub
fishing histories similar to this, and it
is due to the importance of the subject
and to the credit of The State, that
Pennsylvania should not be behind in
this patriotic undertr king.
HOME FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS.
There is, probably, no State in the
American Union that has contributed
more literally toward the support of
charitable and benevolent institutions
than that of Pennsylvania. The ap.
preparations annually made for the ben
eft of the soldiers orphans schools,
asylums for the deaf and dumb, blind
and insane, and many similar worthy
establishments in which the poor, help
less, and otherwise friendless are cared
and provided for reflect great credit
upon the Legislatures who have donated
the requisite means for their support.
But there is one other institution need
ed, and the claims for which are more
strongly urged by every principle Of
humanity and patriotism than any
other now in existence, which has not
? yet received the attention its vast inn
portance imperatively demands. This
is q home for the soldiers who have
sboi ne the battle" in defence of the
honor, integrity, and perpetuity of the
American Union. No men living have
as powerful claims upon the generosity
: and nurturing care of the Common
l wealth of Pennsylvania as those who,
upon the battlefield, fought to protect
it against threatened devastation and
5 destruction, and who, in this patriotic
: feed their health, lost their limbs, and
0 became enfeebled and disabled for life.
b And yet we daily see these men, land
+ who does not blush to see them? to
: whom we owe the preservation Of our
= Government, the homes we enjoy,
almost everything we possess, hObbling
!. about our streets upon crutches, with
I missing limbs, and otherwise so enfee-
pled as to be entirely untitled for any
a rtmunerative employment, begging
: their bread from door to door, or sitting
..Nft
@ an organ for the few pennies the char.
!. liable passers-by may feel disposed to
u bestow. Every one of these helpless
o men, whose patriotic devotion to hi:
:, country has brought him to this deplor
q able condition, is a burning reproact
u to the State for whose welfare he has
:, met the most serious and lamentable o
l. all misfortunes. All of them appeal, by
their wounds and destitutiOn, to tht
people of the Commonwealth for that
care which, in such contingencies, wai
)f promised the soldier of the Union, hi
B. widow, and his orphans children. 1t il
it time that such promises should be re
lie deemed. The wounded and helples
Of soldiers have claim upon the Stat
c. which should not and cannot be ignored
y And do earnestly recommend in thei
a name, and in their behalf, that mea
ie sures be taken by your honorable bod,
II to establish for them home where the,
Is shall be amply provided with tn
l. necessary comforts of life, and no longe
le lie compelled to be pensioners upon tn
e, scanty charities of the world. This Is
a debt the State absolutely owes, and n
time should be lost in its honorabl
le liquidation.
h. INSURANCE DEPARTMENT.
8, In two former communications YOU
es attention was called TO the importan,
C. of establishing in the state AN lnsuran,
s. Department similar 10 those existing
t. other States. But the Legislature Ii,
ly thus far failed TO give tho subject tn
@ consideration which interests Of SUE
cs magnitude TO the people seem to d
d. mand. Insurance departments in son