Year: 1870

=
Adjutant General for that Office.


An unusual martial activity prevails
throughout the State, but more particularly
IN Philadelphia. The encouragement which
has been afforded to the uniformed militia
has been responded to with alacrity, and is
exhibited as follows: In 1866, there were
eight volunteer companies; in 1867, thirty
eight; in 1868, sixty seven. and in 1863. one
hundred and eighty four No less than one
hundred and seven companies were organi-
zed during the year ending Nov. 80, 1850.
of which fifty six are In Philadelphia, and
fifty in other parts OF the State. This
is small but efficient and well equipped
force, which, in case of riot, rebellion, or
otter public danger, would be ready at once
to imperil itself for the enforcemept oi the
laws, and the protection oc the lives ami
property of the citizens Il is, therefore,
desirable that the Legislature should give
the volunteers such practical aid as would
IN some degree, compensate them for the
time and money expended TO maintain their
organizations, in which the people are as
much interested as the volunteers them
selves.


The report of the Adiutlnt General will
be found very interesting document, con
tanning much valuable information and many
important suggestions A careful perusal
of its contents, and such action thereon as
seems to be demanded by their importance,
is recommended Gen ID. B. VI 'Creary has
been elected to membership in one of your
honorable bodies, aud with his last report
he closed his career as Adjutant General. In
losing his valuab services from a position
he has SO ably filled for more than two years,
the hope is INDUCED that the department
will 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 is de-
serving of your careful attention In it you
will find a detailed account OF the operations
of his department from its commencement
to the present time The work entrusted
to his care is one of no ordinary character
aud responsibility, requiring talents of a high
order, patient industry, careful research, and
unbiased judgment The labor to be per-
formed is immense, and can only be proper
ly appreciated by those fully acquainted with
its magnitude. 1t embraces a faithful ac-
count of all the organizations of PenLsylva-
MIA troops during the war OF the rebellion !;
the collection and adjustment, in compre-
hensive form. of each military organization
and an pnprejudiced description of all mill
tary 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 history Of the world. The
propriety of such work must be apparent
10 every intelligent citizen of the Common
wealth. Certainly it is due to the citizen
soldiers, who offered their lives 10 the de-
fence of their country, and their names
should, at least, receive place in the ar
chives of the State, toward whose honor
and glory their gallant deeds have so largely
contributed


The work of the Historian, when compile
ted, will embrace four large octave volumes,
10 which the name of every Pennsylvania
volunteer will have Its appropriate place.
Two Of these volumes are already compile
ted, in a manner highly ereditab!e to the
Commonwealth. The third is rapidly pro-
crossing, and with a generous appropriation
on the part of your honorable body the en-
tire history will be executed, if not before,
soon after the close of the preSess year.
Most other States are publishing histories
similar to this, and it is due to the impor-
tance of the subject, and to the credit OF the
State. that Pennsylvania should not be be-
hind in this patriotic undertaking.


HOME FOR DISABLED SOLDIERS.


Ihtie IL. INC 4hHfti
lean Union that has contributed so literally
toward the support of charitable and benev-
olent institutions than that of r nnsyivania.
The appropriations annually made for the
benefit OF the soldiers orphans schools:
asyums for the deaf and dumb, blind aud
insane, and many similar worthy establish
ments in which he poor, helpless and other
wise fricndless are cared and provided Tor,
reflect great credit upon the Legislatures
who have donated the requisite means for
their support. But there Is one other insti
tuition needed, 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 importance imperative
lg demands. This is home tor the soldiers
who have borne the battle IN defence OF
the honor, integrity and perpetuIiy OF the
American Union. No men living have as
powerful claims upon the generosity and
nurturing care OF the Commonwealth OF
Pennsylvania. as those who, upon the battle
field, fought to protect it against threatened
devastation and destruction, and who in this
patriotic service, endangered their lives, sac
rificed their health, lost their limbs, and be-
came enfcebled and disabled for life. And
vet we daily see these men, land who does
not blush to see them p to whom we owe
the preservation OF our government, the
homes we enjoy, and almost everything We
possess, hobbling about our streets upon
crutches, with missing liubs and otherwise
so epfeebled as to be entirely untitled for
any remunerativs employment, begging their
bread from door to door, or sitting apon the
corners of the streets turning an organ for
the few pennies the charitable passer- by may
feel disposed to bestow. Every one of these
helpless men, whose patriotic de7otion to
his country has brought him to this deplor-
able condition, is burning reproach to the
State for whose welfare he has met the most
serious and lamentab!e of all misfortunes
All of them appeal, by their wounds and
destitution, to the people of the common
wealth for that care which, IN such contln
gencies, was promised to the soldier OF the
Union, his widow, and his orphan children.
1t is time that all such promises should De
redeemed The wounded and helpless sol
diers have claim upon the State when
should not and cannot be ignored. And
do earnestly recommend in their name, and
in their behalf, that measures be taken by
your honorable body. TO establish for them
a home where they shs j be amply provided
with the necessary comforts of life, and no
longer be compelled to be pensioners upon
the scanty charity of the world. This is a
debt the State absolutely owes, and no time
sbould be LOST in its honorable lIouidatiop.