Year: 1863

FRIEND MAC: As soldiers who have
voluntarily come forth to the field to fight
the battles of our common country and
who have by such voluntary act deprived
themselves of the privilege of the elective
franchise-that privilege of which every
true American is SO justly tehacious-we
claim the right in view of the near ap-
proach of the Gubernatorial contest, to
speak few words through the columns
of the JOURNAL in reference thereto.


When in the Fall Of '61 the people
of Pennsylvania chose ANDREW G. CUR
TIN Governor, they doubtless did so with
the expectation that he would faithfully
perform the duties devolving upon him /;
that he would prove himself worthy the
responsible position in which the people
chose to place him. Though we expected
this ; yet there was a certain degree of
uncertainty. Strange things had hap
pened in our time, and we might fud our
selves ''sold." But now, after the lapse
of two years of his administration there
remains in the minds of all honest, loyal
citizens not shadow of doubt. He has
not only fulfilled, but more than fulfilled
the predictions of his most ardent sup
porters and admirers Holding such a
responsible position during the most try
ing epoch in our nations history, he has
proved himself equal to any and every
emergency. Most ably has he seconded
the efforts of our National Government
in its endeavors to put down the rebellion
which for period of more than two years
has so arrogantly defed the laws of God
and man entaiied upon the national ex-
checquer an expense of hundreds of mil
lions of money, clothed our once happy
land in sable garments, left numberless
widows and orphans to mourn the un-
timely, cruel death Of husbands and
fathers, and has cost the nation hundreds
of thousands of her brave sons; stead
fast and unwaverng has he stood by the
Government during all this time of deadly
peril. o-a ..


We can look about US, and among the
many bright examples furnished by the
Chiefs of other States, none stand out
more conspicuous than our own noble
ANDY CURTIN. We can contrast his
official conduct with some we wot of, and
it is as light compared to pagan darkness
Did the general government require more
men for the prosecution of the war, who
could bring them armed and equipped
into the field with the same Dispatch !
A bloody battle fought hundreds, thou
sands of Pennsylvanlans lying wounded,
dying, on the field, and who to the relief?
Our kind-hearted Governor is on the
ground with medical assistance. Depend
upon it were the soldiers at home, the
ides of October would witness a most
brilliant triumph for the "soldier's
friend" We have tried and not found
wanting the man who fo1 two years has
so nobly stood by US, devoting his time
and energy to the unconditional support
of the aohole country to the bettering the
moral and physical welfare of the men
who in the field, were marching, fighting,
bleeding, dying in the same cause. He
is known throughout the entire army
Let Governor Curtin come to see us,
every one speaks in his praise. The New
Yorker standing by, looking gloomily on,
says "Boys, you've noble Governor !"
Do you think he makes mental compar-
ison that he turns away with sigh?


We say, that in times like these, having
found good man, "the right one in the
right place." let US keep him rather than
try the hazardous experiment of taking a
new one. We know many soldiers from
Pennsylvania, numbers of them life long
Democrats. We have heard nearly all Of
them express their preference, and have
yet to find the man who does not desire to
vote for Curtin. Show US the man from
the "Keystone of the arch" who says diff
fereptly, and we will show you man
"tired of the war" Undoubtedly all are
tired of it; but nevertheless there is a
distinction. One class is so completely
tired out, and worn down, that they would
be glad to see the war close on any terms,
even to the dismemberment Of the Union.
The other class, though quite as anxious
for the end, desire to see it only when it
shall come resplendent with glory and
honor, when peace shall come laden with
the fruits which shall make it lasting.
1t is the former class that the soldier (ifI
any such there be) who would appose the
election Of Gov. Curtin belongs TO- Let
each contribute their influence and the
result cannot be doubtful The ladies
may do much to the desired end. you
wish the speedy return of fathers, hus-
bands, and brothers to the homes made
gloomy by the long deferred return, urge
the reelection of the Soldiers Friend"
spare no pains to induce your friends and
relatives to turn their influence in the