|Jtona iritoute.
ALTOONA, PA
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1864
Th* AmMDKSim.—The following is the offi
cial vote of this county, on the Amendments to the
Constitution.
For. Against Maj.
First Amendment, 2505 223 2282.
Second “ . 2505 208 2287.
Third “ . 2307.
In the district of Bast and Westwards, of Hol
lidaysburg, Allegheny, Catharine, Freedom, Hus
ton, Tyrone, Woodberry and Taylor, there were
no rotes against the Amendments. 1
Tbs Declination of Hon. L. W. Hall.—We
publish, in another column, the-letter from Hon.
I>. W. Hall to the Congressional Conferees repre
senting this county in the Conference of the Union
party, which met at Tyrone, last week. It is a
prod action which the politicians of thepresent day
can study with benefit to themselves. Whilst we
congratulate Col. Hall on the beairtifnl manner in
which be declined the nomination, in order that
the labor of the Conferees might be brought to an
end, we know we hot express the universal regret
of onr readers, when we say that we are sorry be
was not the nominee of the Conference. We re
gard him as stronger, by hundreds of votes, before
the people, than any man named. ; As he is satis
fied, however, it is not the part of his friends to
complain. The Conference nominated Mr. Barker,
of Cambria. His opponent has not yet been placed
in the field.
Stats Teachers’ Association. —By special
request we reprint the proceedings of the State
Teachers’ Association, for the first day and a half,
with such an abstractor the remainder of the ses
sion as we have been able to secure.
The tegular. Annual Meeting of thia Association
convened in this pla% on Tuesday, the 2d inst.,
at 10 o’clock A. M., in the United Brethren
Church. Mr. Ingram, the President, being absent,
Mr. Geist, of Lancaster, one of the Vice Presi
dents, was called to the chair; Mr. Ermentrout, of
Beading, acting as Secretary.
The meeting opened with prayer by Bev. Dr.
Gearhart, of Lancaster. Bev. C.. Core, of this
place, then delivered a very pleasing and appro-,
priate address of welcome, which was happily
responded to by Mr. Woodrnt; Supt. of Chester
conhty.
On motion of Mr. Ermentrout, of Berks Co., a
Committee was appointed to report on means best
calculated to secure a full attendance of members
at our Annual Conventions. Committee consists
of Messrs. Ermentrout, Sharp and Neufer.
Bemarks on this subject were made by Mr.
Chubback, Mr. Coburn, State Superintendent,
and others,, after which the Association adjourned
until 8 o'clock'?. M.
afternoon.
A report written by Mr. McKee, of Westmore
land Co., was read by Supt. Jack. Subject, Illus
trated Science. Discussed by Messrs. Ualdeman,
H.rlan, Allen,. Neufer, Woodruf, Cobum and
others. The discussion occnpiedithe whole of the
afternoon session.
EVENING.
The Association met in the M. E. Church. S.
D. Ingram, the President of the Association,
having arrivbd, delivered his Annual Address.—,
Of this Address we need only say it was such as
we might expect from the head and heart of the
President of such a noble Association. Mr. Ic
grsm wss followed by Bev. Dr. Gearhart, Presi
dent of Franklin and Marshal} College. The
Dr.’s subject was “The Education of the Moral
Nature," which he handled as only a scholar and
a Christian cookl handle d. We are only sorry it
was not heard by more of onr citizens.
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Prmyer by Rev. Ennentront. Minutes of yos-
Mid«y's session read, after which Mr. Erraentrout,
of Berks co., presented a report on “ The Natural
Order of Mental Deveiopement. ” ;
The subject of “ The Number ■of Simultaneous
Studies, n was then discussed by Messrs. Slioema -
ker, Dean, Sharp, Sypbers and ; others, some ad
vocating only three simultaneous studies and; oth
ers declaring very pertinently, we thought, that
the whole matter must be governed by circum
stances.
The forenoon session closed with an address by
Mr. Brown, of Cincinnati, on the subject of Bead
ing. Mr. B. was veiy happy in bis illustrations
of the various methods of reading. Some of his
samples created a great deal of merriment, but
one need not travel many miles from home, to be
convinced that bis remarks concerning the man
ner in which reading is taught, are true, and that
Ms illustrations were not over-drawn.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON,
Discussion —Subject,, “Object Lessons.” This
which has engaged the attention of educa
tors for some years past found, among those who
sngsged in the discussion) some able advocates
and some stern opposers, leaving us, as usual, to
make onr own deductions. One thing we think
was conclusively settled, viz . That the teacher
mo every means; within his power for the
advancement of bis pupils. Jf this can be accom
-1 by object lessons let them be resorted to.
Bat what will accomplish wonders on one mind,
maj entirely fail on another, therefore the inge
nuity, 'of the teacher untramelled by fixed and ar
bitrary rules, must be constantly, taxed to devise
the best ways and means to reach the desired end.
WEDNESDAY EVENING.
Lecture by Dr. Thomas Hill President of
Harvard College. Subject. “ True order in
Sttußte.” Sot an hour and twenty minutes the
pr. drew the attention of a large and appreciative
audience by his masterly, yet plain and easily to
be understood reasonings. Hev. B. M. Kerr of
Ahcgbuay County followed in an address the
autyeot of which was the “American Student,”
r /bicb was delivered in Ur. K’s astral
and happy style. It is praise enough to say that
the audience, even at this late boor, listened with
attention. >-
THCKIDAT KOKNINO
Opened with Prayer by • Snpt. Cobam.—
Mcadville was selected as the place, - for the next
annual meeting of the Association. Mr. Brown
of Cincirmatti entertained the association for half
an hoar with select readings from Shakespeare.—
After which Col. G. F. McFarland read • repgrt
on “ The proper-method to induct Pupiit to cam at a
high intellectual standard .”
After some remarks on pronunciation, the
Meeting adjourned until two o’clock F. M.
AFTERNOON,
The following committees reported, and reports
acted upon, viz;—Committee on means best cal
culated to secure a fall attendance at the meetings
of the Association ; Committee on Besolutions ;
Committee on preparation of a book ordered by
the Association at .its annual .meeting, at Greens
burg, in the year 1860 —Committee on this con
tinned. An electron of officers was then held and
resulted os follows ; President, Prof. F. A. Allen;
Vice Presidents, Messrs Bates, Myers, Walthanr,
and Parker ; Recording Secretaries, McFarland,
and Sharp; Corresponding Secretary, Robert
McDivitt ; Treasurer, Amos Rowe. Messrs.
Allen, Wickergham and Kerr, were appointed a
Committee to nominate an Executive Committee,
for the year. The afternoon Session closed with
the reading of an essay, by Miss Haley, of Lan
caster, subject “ Personal habits of the Teacher. 11 —
The remarks on this subject were such as wa
Wonld be. pleased to have every teacher in tlte
state hear, we'bope the Essay will be published.
EVENING.
Discussion on the Beport read, in the afternoon,
by Col. McFarland. The committee to nominate
an Executive Board, reported the followino names,
Myers, Dean, Donthett, Banb and Elliot. Bev,
C. Cort announced that an arrangement bad been
made for an excursion at half price to Cresson on
Friday morning, When after a very able address
by Prof. Cobarn, state Superintendent, the Asso
ciation adjourned.
On Friday morning quite a number of those in
attendance availed themselves of the opportunity
offered by the B. B. Co., and visited Cresson.
17th Congressional District.
ADJODBNED MEETING.
Conference met at Ward House,. Tyrone, on
Wednesday the 3rd day of Aug., at 10 o,clock,
A. M. phrsuant to adjournment, and was called
to order by the President,
The roll being called, all the numbers answered
to their names, except Mr. McCamont from whom
a letter was read, stating his inability to bejirescnt
before noon today.
On motion of Mf Henderson the Conference
adjourned nntil 1J o'clock this afternoon.
Afternoon Session.
Conference reassembled at I}, P. M. when
the following ballots were had.- (376 to 392) Bar
ker 6, Dorris 3, Hall 3.
Mr. McCamant then presnted the following
letter which was read and ordered to be made a
part of the minutes: _
LETTEB FBOM MB. HALL.
Altoona, August 3rd, 1864.
Messrs. McCamant, Guyer and Loudon:
; Gentlemen —The
Congressional Conference having balloted through
three successive days without any result before
ajoumment, 1 deem it ptoper to relieve yon of any
embarrassment so far as I am personally concer
ned. 1 need not say to you, gentlemen, my per
sonal friends, and who are familliar with the his
tory of the events which resalted in placing me in
roy present attitude, that 1 am not now, and have
not been, anxious to be the Union Candidate for
Congress in this District.
To the National Union party of the Comity of
Blair which, in the Convention of its delegates,
by a vote so decided and flattering, designated the
as its candidate, and to you, gentlemen, represn
ting the part wand its convention, for the zeal and
earnestness with which you have aimed to carry
out that preference, I return my most profound
ackkrfowledgement. I would, however, be un
worthy of the confidence reposed in me by my
friends at home, if, with a selfishness incapable of
looking beyond personal claims or aspirations, I
should ask you to do more than yon have already
done, to effect my nomination. I have person
ally no claim or merit, which does not dwindle to
nothing in view of the Cause which it is, or should
be, the aim of all of ns to father, in this tiying
hoar of the republic. A pertinacious adherence
to local claimsor personal preferences, in times
like these, would, as we roust all feel, be unpar
donable. At any time the expressed preference
of a County Convention, most commit something
to the discretion of it delegated agents. That
discretion, I am free to say, should now be exer
cised by you, in yonr judgement and most devo
ted patriotism. It was in this spirit and in good
faith, that I absolved yon on' the second day of
yonr balloting, from any obligations yon might
feel to me personally; and I now say more expli
citly, that I do not desire you to insist further
upon my nomination, in any future ballotring by
the Conference.
I am, gentlemen.
Faithfully yonr friend, -
LOUIS W. HALL
On motion the Conference proceeded to the
393rd ballot, when Mr. Barker received 9, being
the votes of Cambria, Mifflin and Blair, and was
therefore declared duly nominated.
On motion of Mr. Henderson, seconded by Mr.
McVitty, the nomination of Mr. Barker was
made unanimous.
On motion the Chair appointed Messrs. Me-
Camant, Nniter, and McKee a committee to in
form Mr, Barker of his nomination.
The committee retired and and after a brief
absence returned with Mr. Barker, who, after
being introduced, accepted the nomination in a few
appropriate remarks'
On motion Messrs. McCamant and Nniter were
appointed a committde to invito Messrs. Hall and
Dorris to appear before the Conference.
After a brief absence, the committee returned,
with Messrs. Hall and Dorris, who, after being,
introduced, respectively addressed the Conference.
On motion adjourned tine die.
A.C. MULLIN,)-. .
S. MeCAMANTJ c ’ ecys ’
Grove Meeting. —We are requested to say
there will be a “Grove Meeting” held near the
Sanctuary. School House, in Logan township; by
Bev. W. I. Leacock, commenceng on Saturday
evening, the 13th, inst. Several Ministers of the de
nomination, (Fijee-will Baptist) will be present to
assist, and, all things proving favorable, the meet
ing will be continued several evenings.
A newspaper carrier has paid $5,000 for
the exclusive right to sell papers at .the depot and
on the cars of the New York Central Bail road
GOVEBKOB’S MESSAGE.
Eiicctive Cbambek, >
Hahkisbcko, August 9, 1864. j
To the Satiate end House of Representatives of the \
Gommoaoeafth of Petmsylaama.
GmßtXiacK :—I have called you together in,
advance of your adjourned session, for the purpose
of taking some action for the defence of the State.
From the commencement of the present rebellion,
Pennsylvania has done her whole duty to the Gov
ernment. Lying as her southern counties do, in
the immediate vicinity of the border, and thus ;
exposed to sodden invasion, a selfish policy would
have led her to retain a sufficient part of her .
military force for her own defence. In so doing, \
she would have failedjn her duty to the whole j
country. Not only would her men have been
withheld from the field of general operations, but
loans and taxation which would have become
necessary, would have to a large extent diminished
the ability of her people to comply with the pecu
niary demandsof the United Slates. She would
also'have necessarily interfered with and hampered
all the military action of the Government and
made herself to some extent, responsible for any
failures and shortcomings that may have occurred.
In pursuance of the policy thus deliberately
adopted, this State has steadily devoted her men
to the general service. From the beginning she
has always been among the first to respond to the
calls of the United States, as is shown by her
history from the three months’ men and the
Reserve Corps to the present moment. Jhiis
faithfully fulfilling all her own obligations, she
has a right to be defended by the national force,
as part of a common country. Any other view
would be absurd and nnjnst. She of course cannot
complain when she suffers by the necessary con
tingencies of war. The reflections that have in
too many quarters been made upon the people of
her southern counties are most unfounded. They
were invaded in 1862, when’a Union army much
superior to any force of the rebels, (and on which
they had of course a right to rely,) was lying in
their immediate vicinity and north of the Potomac.
They were again invaded in 1868, after the defeat
df the Union forces under Mtlroy, at Winchester,
and they have again suffered in 1864, after the
defeat of the Union forces under Crdftt and
Averill. How could an agricultural people in an
open country be expected to rise suddenly and
beat back hostile forces which had defeated or
ganized veteran armies of the Government ?
It is of course expected that the inhabitants of
an invaded country will do what is in their power
to resist the invaders, and the facts hereinafter
stated will show, I think, that the people of these
counties have not failed in this duty. If Penn
sylvania, by reason of her geographical position,
has required to be defended by the national force,
it has only been against the common enemy.—
It has never been necessary to weaken the army
in the field by sending heavy detachments of vet
erans to save her cities from being devastated by
small bands of ruffians, composed of their own
inhabitants. Nor have her people been disposed
to sneer at the great masses of law-abiding citizens
in any other Siate who have required such pro
tection. Yet when a brutal enemy, pursuing a
defeated body of Union forces crosses our border
and burns a defenceless town, this horrid barbarity,
instead of firing the hearts of all the people of our
common country, is actually in some quarters
made the occasion of mocks and gibes at the un
fortunate sufferers, thousands of whom have been
rendered houseless. And these heartless scoffs
proceed from the very men who, when the. State
authorities, foreseeing the danger, were taking
precautionary measures, ridiculed the idea of there
being any danger, sneered at the exertions to
prepare for meeting it, and succeeded to some ex
tent in thwarting their efforts to raise forces.—
These men are themselves morally responsible for
the calamity over which they now chuckle and
rub their hands.
It might have been hoped—nay, we had a right
to expect —that the people of the loyal States
engaged in a common. effort to preserve their
Government and all that is dear, to freemen,
would have forgotten, at least for the time, their
wretched local jealousies, and sympathized with
all their loyal fellow citizens, wherever resident
within the borders of our common country. It
should be.remembered that the original source of
the present Rebellion was in such jealousies en
couraged for wicked purposes by unscrupulous
politicians. The men who for ar y purpose now
continue to encourage them, ought to be held as
public enemies—enemies of our union and our
peace,, and should be treated as such- Common
feelings—common sympathies—are the necessary
foundations of a common free government.
lam proud to say that the people of Pennsyl
vania feel every blow at any of her sister States,
a> an assault npon themselves, and give to them
all that hearty good will, the expression of which
is sometimes more important under the infliction
of calamity than mere material aid.
It is unnecessiuy to refer to the approach of the
rebel army up the Shenandoah Valley on the third
day of July last—to the defeat of Gen. Wallace on
the Monocacy,’tlieif approach to and the threaten
ing. of the Capital, or to their destruction of
property and pillage of the counties of Maryland
lying on the border. These events have passed
into history and the responsibilities will be settled
by the judgment of the people.
. At that time, a call was made upon Pennsyl
vania for volunteers to be mustered into the ser
vice of the United States and. “to serve for one
hundred days in the States of Pennsylvania and
Maryland and at Washington and its vicinity.”
Notwithstanding the embarrassments which com
plicated the onlers Tor their organization and
muster, six regiments were enlisted and organized
and a battalion of six companies. The regiments
were withdrawn from the State, the last leaving
the 29 th day of July.
I desired that at least part of this force should
be confined in their service to the States of Penn
sylvania and Maryland, and made such an appli
cation to the War Department, as the proposition
did hot meet their approbation it was rejected and
the general order changed to include the States
named and Washington and its vicinity.
No part of the rebel army at that time hod come
within the State. The people of the border
counties were warned and removed their stock,
and at Chambersburg and York were organized
and armed for their own protection. I was not
officially informed of the.raovements of the Federal
armies, and of course not of the strategy of their
commanders, but it was stated in the newspapers
that the rebel'army was closely pursued after it
had crossed the Potomac and wits retiring up the
Valley of the Sheimndonh. Repeated successes
of our troops were also announced and the people
of this State had just cause to believe that quite
sufficient Federal force had been thrown forward
for its protection u)>on the line of the Potomac.
On Friday, the 29th of July, the rebel brigades
of Johtiston and McCausland, consisting of from
2,500 to 3,000 mounted men, with six guns,
crossed the Potomac af Clear Spring Ford. They
commenced crossing at 10 o'clock, a. m., and
■ m-rched directly on Merccrshurg. There were
but 43 men picketed in that direction, under the
command of Lieutenant ‘ McLeari; U. S- A., and
as the enemy succeeded in cutting the telegraph
communication, which from that point had to
pass west, by way of Bedford, no information
could be sent to Gen. Couch, by telegraph, who
was then at Chambersburg. The head of this
column reached ChambersbuVg at 3 o’clock, a. m.,
on Saturday, the 30th.
The rebel brigades of Vaughn and Jackson,
numbering about 3,000 mounted men, crossed the
Potomac at about the same time, at or near Wil
liamsport—part of the command advanced on
Hagerstown—the main body moved on the road
leading from Williamsport to Greencastle.—
Another rebel column of infantry and artillery
crossed the Potomac simultaneously at Shcppards
town, and moved towards Leitersburg. General
Averill, who commanded a force reduced to about
2,600 men, was at Hagerstown, and being threat
ened in front by Vaughn and Jackson, on his
right by McCausland and Johnsftm, who also
threatened his rear, and on his left by the column
which crossed at Sheppardstown, he therefore fell
back upon Greencastle. - r4
■ Gen. AveriH, it is understood, was under the done at once, and aa a military measure, think ;it
orders of Gen. Hunter, but was kept as fully ad- will be of essential service to {the General Gorera
vised by Gen. Couch as was possible, of the ene- merit, and recommend that the War Department
my’s movements on his right and to his rear.— encourage the movement by authorising the loan
General Conch was in Chambersborg, where his or issue of uniforms, provided the law in question
entire force consisted Of 60. infantry, '45 cavalry, is enacted. ' : j.
and a section of a battery of artillery-—in all, less It is believed that the new militia law of this
than 150 men. The six companies of men en- State'will practically prove of no value, excepting
listed for one hundred days service, remaining in that an enrollment will probably be made, i 1
the State, and two companies of cavalry, had, am sir,
under orders from Washington, (as I am unoffi
cially informed,) joined General Averill. The
town of Chambersburg was held until day-light,
by the small force under General Couch, daring
which time the Government stores and train were
saved. Two batteries were then planted by the
enemy commanding the town, and it was invested
by the whole command of Johnson and M’Cnus
land. At 7 o’clock, A. M., six companies of dis
• mounted men, commanded by Sweeny, entered
the town, followed by mounted men under Gilmoje.
The main force was in line of battle—a demand
was made for 100,000 dollars in gold, or 500,000
dollars in Government funds, as ransom, and a
number of citizens were arrested and held as
hostages for its payment. No offer of money was
made by the citizens of the town, and even if
they had any intention of paying a ransom, no
time was allowed, as the reoels commenced imme
diately to bum and pillage the town, disregarding
the appeals of women and children, the aged and
infirm, and even the bodies of the dead were not
protected from their brutality. It would have been
vain for all tha citizens of the town, if armed, -to
have attempted, in connection with Gen. Couch’s
small force, to defend it. Gen. Couch withdrew
his command, and did not himself leave nntil the
enemy were actually iu the town. General
Averill’s command being within nine miles of
Chambersburg, it was hoped would arrive in time
to save the town, and efforts were made daring the
night to communicate with him. In the mean
time, the small force of General Couch held the
enemy at bay. General Averill marched on
Chambersborg, but did not arrive until after the
town was burned and the enemy had retired. He
pursued and overtook them at McCbnnellsburg,
in Fullon county, in time to save that place from
pillage and destruction.' He promptly engaged
and defeated them, driving them to Hancock and
across the Potomac.
■ I commend the houseless and ruined people of
Chambersbiirg to the liberal benevolence of the
Legislature, and suggest that a suitable appropria
tion be made for their relief. Similar charity has
been heretofore exercised in the case of an acci
dental and destructive fire at Pittsburg, and I
cannot doubt the disposition of the Legislature on
the present occasion.
On the fifth day of this month a large rebel
army was in Maryland and at various points on
the Potomac as far west as New Creek, and as
there was no adequate force within the State I
deemed it my duty on that day to call for Thirty
Thousand Volunteer Militia, for domestic protec
tion. They will be armed, transported and sup
plied by the United Slates, but, as no provision is
made for their payment, it will be necessary, should
you approve my action, to make an appropriation
for that purpose.
Feeling it to be the duty of the General Gov
ernment to afford full protection to the people of
Pennsylvania and Maryland, by the defence of the
line of the Potomac, I united with Governor
Bradford in the following letter to the President,
dated July 21st, a. d. 1864 :
State j? Maetlasd, i
Executive Depaetmeet, >
Aksapous, July 21,15&4. * j
His Excellency, Abeabau Lixcuen, President uftlie United
States—
Sib : The repeated raids across the Potomac river mode
by portions of the rebel army, and the extent of the dam
age they have succeeded bo frequently in inflicting, have
most injuriously affected the people of Marylaud and Penn
sylvania. in the neighlmrliood of that river, and many of
them, it is believed, as the only security against such
losses in the future are seriously considering the propriety
of abandoning their present homes and seeking safety at
the North.
It seems ft) us that sot merely in this sectional aspect
of the case, bat in its national relations, tho security of
this border line between the loyal and rebellious States is
an object just ifying and requiring a disposition of a portion
of the National force with an especial view to “its defence.
The Potomac River can only be crossed in Its ordinary
state of water at some five or six fords, and we propose to
enlist fiom oar respective states a volunteer ibree that
shall be sufficient with the aid of tho fortifications which
the force itself can speedily construct, to effectually gua rd
them all.
We ask the Government that the recruits to raised shall
be credited to the quotas of our several states on the call
last made, and bo armed, equipped and supplied a a other
volunteers in the tervice.
We are aware that os a general rule well founded ob
jections exist to the enlistment of a force, to be exclusively
used for homo or local defence, but we regard inch a ser
vice as’we now suggest as an exceptional case, and the
complete protection of this part of our frontier as of ad
mitted national importance.
Soon after the outbreak of this rebellion the importance
of a special dsionco of the region bordering on the
Potomac was recognized by tho Government, and the lion.
Francis Thomas of Maryland was authorized by it to raise
three regiments with a view to the N p r <>t«clion t j le COUQ
ties on either side of that river. These regiments were
raised but tho subsequent exigencies of the service required
their employment elsewhere, and they therefore afford at
present no particular security to that region beyond .other
troops in the service. •
The necessity, os we think, for some such peculiar pro
vision has become so obvious that we would, with ‘great
respect, but most earnestly urge upon Your Excellency
the expediency of acceeding to the suggestions we liave
made, and we will immediately set about raising the forces
required, and we have no doubt they will be .promptly,
procured.
We have the honor to be,
s with great respect,
▼our obedient nerrants.
A. W. BRADFORD,
A. Q. CURTIN.
The following letter from the Assistant! Adju
tant General, dated August Ist, a. d. 1864, is the
only reply received by me up to this time;
War Department, )
Adjutant General’s Ofpice, *
Washington, D. C. August Ist, 1861. )
His Excellency, the Governor of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg, Penn’a:
Sir ;—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of the joint letter from yourself and the Governor
of Maryland, slated July 21st, 1864, asking au
thority to raise volunteer force in your respective
States, to be exclusively used for guarding the
fords of the Potomac.
In reply I am directed by the Secretary of War
to inform you that the proposition has been fully
considered, and that the authority asked for can
not be granted.
In this connection please sec the act of Congress,
approved February 13, 1862, as promulgated in
General OreersNo. 15, series of 1862, from this
office.
(Signed)
I have the honor to remain, sir.
Very respectfully,
\ our obedient servant.
THOMAS M. VINCENT,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Mem. —Similau letter sent His Excellency , the
Governor of Maryland , this date.
■ How the reason given for the refusal to act on
this proposition, can be made consistent with the
enlistment of rnen for one hundred days, to serve
in Pennsylvania; Maryland and at Washington
and vicinity, it is hard to perceive.
On the suggestion made by citizens of the bor
der counties, the following communication dated
22d July, 1804, was made by Major Gen. Couch
to the Secretary of Wap (Copy.)
Headquarters, Dec't Susquehanna,
Harrisburg, Pa., July 22. 18C4.
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Sir :—During the recent raid into Maryland,
the citizens of Charabersburg turned out with "a
determination to stand .by the few sold id's present,
and hold the town against any cavalry force that
might assault it. 500 citizens of York, irrespec
tive of party, voltmteercd, wore armed, and
went down to the Northern Central railroad to
guard the bridges or hold their town'. This
is stated in order to show you that the ‘border
citizens” are begining to realize that by united
action they have the strength to protect themselves
against an ordinaiy raiding party. Enclosed, I
invite your attention to a letter addressed to the
Governor, together with his endorsement upon
the subject of forming a special corps from the six
border counties most exposed. If 10,000 men
can thus be organized, its existence would be a
protection and give confidence.
I am informed that the general sentiment of the
peojde in question is in favor of something being
(Signed)
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
[Signed,] D. N. COUCH.
Major General Comd’g Dept. '
HEADQUARTERS, DeP’T SoSQCAHANNA,
Harrisburg, Aug. 4, 1864.
A true copy respectfully furnished for the in
formation of His Excellency Governor A. G.
Curtin.
. JNO. S. SCHULTZE,
Assistant Adjutant General.
On the same day 1 approved in writing of the
proposition, and expressed my opinion that the
Legislature would pass an«ct in acordance with
it at its adjourned session on the 23d of August.
I am furnished with an official copy of the.follow
ing reply, dated August 1, 1864, to the proposi
tion of Gen. Conch.
(Copy.)
Wab Dbp't Adjutant Gsneral'B Office,
Washington, D. C., Aug. 1, 1864.
Major General D. N. Couch,
. Commanding, 4c., Harrisburg, Pa.
Gen. ■■—l have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 22d of July, relative
to the United States providing uniforms for a
“ Special Corps" of militia from certain border conn
ties of Pennsylvania.
In reply, I am directed to inform you that the
subject has been carefully considered by the
Secretary of War, who cannot sanction the issue
of the clothing in question. -
I am, General,
Very respectfully.
Your obedient servant.
(Signed;) THOMAS M. VINCENT,
Assistant Adjutant Genera],
Headqcabtbbs Department of tub -
ScSQUKHANNA,
Harrisburgh, August 6th, 1864.
A true copy respectfully furnished for the in
formation of His Excellency, Governor A. G.
Curtin.
JOHN S. BCHULTZE,
Assistant Adjutant General.
In each of the three years, 1862, 1863 and
1861, it has been found necessary to call t|>o Stale
militia for the defence of the State, and this has
been done with the assent and assistance of the
General Government. From the want of organ
ization, we hare been obliged to rely exclusively
on the volunteer militia, and with few exceptions
to orgenize them anew for each occasion. This
has caused confusion and a loss of valuable time,
and has resulted in sending to the field bodies of
men in a great measure undisciplined. The mi
litia bill passed at the last session is I thihk for
ordinary times the best militia law we Imre ever
had : hut under the extraordinary circumstances
it seems to require modifications. I suggest that
the assessors be directed to make an immidiate
enrollment, classifying the militia as may be
through! best; that the officers be appointed by
the Governor, on the recommendation, approved by
him, of a board of examination, composed of three
Major Generals for each division, of whom the
Major General of the division shall be one, the
other two to be designated by the Governor,., from
adjoining divisions, or in such other mode, as the
Legislature may think fit; that in all cases the
officers shall be selected by preference from officers
and men who have been in service, and shall have
been honorably discharged by tho United States,
and that eficctual provision be made for drafting
the militia, when required. The recommendation
in regard to appointments is made to avoid the
angry dissensions, and too often, political jealous
ies which divide military organizations by the elec
tion of officers, and to secure the services of the
deserving and competent men.
The election of officers in the volunteer forces in
the field has been found to be injurious to the
service, while promotions by seniority, end ap
pointments of meritorious privates has produced
harmony and stimulated to faithfulness. In the
enlistment of new organizations the plan adopted
of granting authority to officers to recruit com
panies has been found to be the best policy. I
also recommend that the Governor be authorized
to form (either by the acceptance of volunteers by
draft in such parts of the State as he may deem
expedient) a special corps of militia to consist in
due proportion of Cavalry, Artillery and Infantry,
to be kept up to the full number of fifteen regi
ments to be styled “ Minute Men, who shall be
sworn and mastered into the service of the State
for three years—who shall assemble lor drill at
such times and places as he may direct, who shall
be clothed, armed and equipped by the State,
and paid when assembled for drill or called into
service, and who shall at all times be liable to be
called into immediate service for the defence of
the State, independently of the remainder of the
militia.
As this force would be subject to sudden calls,
the larger part of it should be organized in the
counties Wing on our extreme border, and as
the people of these counties have more personal
interest in the their protection, the recommenda
tion is made to authorize the Governor to desig
nate the parts of the State in which it should be
raised and to save the time and expense of transa
porting troops from remote parts of the State ana
the subsistence and pay in going to and from the
border.
A body of meh so organized, will, it is believed,
be effective to prevent raids and incursions. The
expenses of clothing, arming and equipping such
s force cannot be correctly ascertained, but the
Quartermaster General has been directed to make
approximate estimates for your information, which
will be of pay and subsistence.
The State should provide at least six four-gun
batteries of field artillery with all the modern im
provements. ,
The suggestion has been frequently made by
unreflecting persons that the State should raise a
force and keep it permanently in the field for 'her
defence. Apart from other consideatiqns, it is to
be observed that the expenses .of such \ measure
would be quite beyond the present ability of the
State.
To raise and maintain an army of fifteen reg
iments would involve an. anual expenditure of
more than fifteen millions of dollars, and any
smaller force would he inadequate. The plan
which 1 have above proposed would, I think, give
to the State efficient protection, and if the Legisla
ture should think fit to adopt it, the expense can
be readily provided for by loan or otherwise.
Having an organized force under the control of
the authorities of the State, and mastered into
service for domestic protection, we would not, as
heretofore, lose time in arranging for transporta-,
tion and supplies with the National Government,
when it became necessary to call it into the field.
When thoroughly organized, it should be in all its
appointments an army which could be increased
by draft made from our enrolled and classified
citizens.
The plan which I have above suggested 0 the
result of reflection and expcrieifte which I have
had during the last three years, and I have felt it
to be my duty to submit it for your consideration.
Of the purpose of providing for the ofiectnal de
fence of the State, I of course cannot doubt your
approval. If the Legislature should prefer the
adoption of any other plan more efficient, and
economical, than the one which I have'herein
proposed, it will give me pleasure to co-operato
heartily in carrying it into effect.
In accordance with the act of May 4, 1864 I
ha\c appointed for the Has tern Armies Col F
Jordon as Agent at Washington, and Lieut. Col!
James Gilliland as Assistant Agent at that place •
and also for the South Western Annies Lieut. Col’
James Chamberlin as .Agent at Nashville, These
Agents are now actively engaged In the perform
ance of their duties, and it ts desirable that our
people should be aware that a pert of them con
sists mtho gratuitous collections of all claims bv
Pennsylvania volunteers of their legal represepta
tires in the State and National Governments
Volunteer* haring claims on either of these rot .
ernments, can bare them collected through these
agenta without expense, and thus be rescued from
the extortiorft to which it is feared they have
sometimes heretofore been subjected. Haring re
ceived information from the agent of the State
that oar sick and wounded were 'suffering greatly
from the want of comforts and even necessaries,
I hare been recently compelled to call on the
people to contribute supplies mainly in kind for
their relief, and it gives me pleasure to say that
this appeal has been cheerfully responded to, at
hare been all my former appeals to the same end.
It seems impossible to exhaust the liberality of
our generous people when the well being of our
brave rolnnteers is in question. In my special
message of 30th April last, I stated the* circum
stances attending the advance by banks and other
corporations, of funds for the. payment of the mi
litia called oat ia 1863. In consequence thsLeg
islature posted the act of 4th May, 1864, author
ising a loan for the purpose of refunding, with
interest, the amount thus advanced, in case Con-
gress should fell to moke the necessary appropri
ation at its then enrrent session. I regret to say
that Congress adjourned without making sock
appropriation. The balance in the Treasury being
found sufficient to rs-imborse the funds so advanc-
ed, without unduly diminishing the Sinking Fund.
I have deemed it advisable not to advertise far
proposals for the loan, and recommend the pas
sage of an act directing the payment to be made
oat of the moneys in the Tressmy.
As the omission of Congress to act on this sub
ject involved an unprecedented disregard of the
good faith of the National authorities, I recom
mend that the Legislature take measures for pro
curing an appropriaton at the next session of
Congress.
The Revenue Bill passed at the last session has
been found to be defective in several points, and I
recomend a careful and immediate revision of it.
The Bounty Bill passed at the last session is
fonnd to be defective and unjust in many of its
provisions, and from the manner in which it is ■
administered in some parts of the State, oppressive
on the people 1 therefore recommend a careful
revision of it.
At the present session has been called for the
consideration of matters of vital public importance
I commend them to your eaneat and exclusive
attention...
Poor Bich&rd’a Seasons for buying
United States Securities
The other day we heard a rich neighbor say he
had rathei have railroad stocks than the U. 8-
stocks, for they paid higher interest. Just then
Poor Richard came op, and said that he just bought
some of Uncle Sam’s three years notes, paying the
seven and three-tenu per cent, interest. My
rich friend exclaimed, “ You 1 1 thought you had
no money to buy with.” “ Yes," said Richard, “ I
had a little laid up, you know it is well to have
something laid up against a wet day, and J hare
kept a little of my earnings by me. ” Now, Poor
Richard is known to all the country round to be a
very prudent and industrious, and, withal, wise
man ; for Richard never learned auything he didn't
know how to make use o£ and his wisdom aud
prudence had become a proverb. So, when he took
out his savings and bought the notes, more than
one was surprised, and it was no wonder rich Mr.
Smith asked why. So Poor Richard, in a very
quiet humble way—for he never assumed anything,
replied, “I suppose, Mr. Smith, you know’a great
deal better than I do what to do witlt money, and
how to ivest; for I never had much, and all 1
got I had to work hard for. But I have looked
. oundagood deal upon my iteigbors, and seen
what they did with their money and I will tell you
some things I saw and what I thought of it. One
very rich man was always dealing in money, and
he made a great ‘leal, but was never satisfied
without high inter.st. So be lent most of his
money to some people who he thought were very
rich, st a very hige rate ; and he. often told how
much he got, till one day the people he lent to
went to smash. He got back about ten cents on
a dollar of bis money. I know another old gen
tleman, who had some bank slock, and he went
to the bank and got ten per cent, dividend. The
President and everybody said it was the best stock
in the country —paid ten per cent. But what did
the old man do nut sell bis stock the next day !
Why? why? said everybody. Because, it pays
too much dividend. And in six months the back
went to smash. Now, that I know to be a fact.
Well, Mr; Smith, you say railroad stocks are best,
because they pay high dividends ? Can you tell
how long they will pay them? I like railroads.
I helped to build one, and I go in for useful things.
But I telt yon what I know about them. One
third of the failroads dont’ pay anyilividend, and
two thirds (and some of them aracked up, too,)
don’t pay as much as Government stocks. Now
that brings me to the Government securities, and
I will tell you why I prefer them. 1 take it yon
will admit, Mr. Smith, that in the long run the
investment whiefj is best should have these quali
ties .• First, it should be perfectly secure ; secondly,
that the income should be uniform and permanent
—not up one year and down the next; and thirdly,
that it should be marketable , so when yonr wet
day comes, and yon want ycur money, yon can
get it back. And I think these qualities worth more
than any other kind of personal property you can
name. Try it. :
, “First, then, I hive been looking into tfa&t
great book you call the Census Statistics. I use!
to think it wasn’t worth much ; bat since I began
to study it, I tell yon, I fdu’nd out a good many
things very useful for me to know. 1 found out,
by looking at the crops, and the factories and ship
ping, tc., that we (I don’t mean the Rebel States)
are making a thousand millions of dollars a year
more than we spend. So you see that (since* the
increase of debt isn’t half that) we are. growing rich
instead of poorer, as John Bull and the croakers
would hare ns think. Then the debt will l e paid,
anyhow, no matter how tong the war is. Besides,
did you ever hear bf a Government that broke
before the people did ? Look into yonr big his
tories, Mr. Smith, and yon will fund the people
break be ore the Governments. Well, then, I call
that stock peafectly secure.
“Secondly, von want the income uniform and
permanent. Well, I want you to take np a list of
banks, railroads, mines instance companies—
anything you choose—and toll mo (honor bright,
how many have paid a uniform income for ten or
■ twenty years. Not one in a hundred, Mr. Smith,
and yon know it.
“Now here is the Government will pay vou
without varying a tittle. Now I like something
that gives me my income every year.
“ Thirdly, you want something which is mar
ketable any day in the year. Now. if yon will
ask any bank President, he will tell yon that Gov
ernment stocks are the only kina of property that
. is always salable, because they will sell anywhere
in the world.
“ Now, Mr. Smith, this is why I put my little
savings in Government stocks. 1 confess, too,
that I wanted to help that dear old country, which
is my home and my coontry.” “ I confess,,’ said
Mr. Smith, “ I hadn’t thought of all this. There
is a good deal of sense in what you say, and I will
go so far as to put two or three thousand dollars
in United States stocks. It catrdo no batm.”
We left Mr. Smith going towards the bank,
and Poor Richard returning home, with that calm
and placid air which indicated the serenity of hi*
disposition anti the consciousness of doing right
towards bis country and his fellow man.
Cholera Infant dm.— War has slain its thous
ands, says the Philadelphia North American—chol
ora infantum carries off its little victims by tens of
thousands. The total death* of this city last week
were 434 which is just 43 more than in the week
before, and 27 more than in the corresponding
week of 1863. Two hundred and' fifty six chil
dren were translated last week to a better world.
Two hundred ahd fifty six little coffins were fol
lowed by sorrowing parent* to the grave-yard.
Two hundred and fifty six light* of home were ex
bpgnuhed, mainly by cholera infantum, dysentery,
diarrhea and convulsions, peculiar to children.
r 1
A. G. CURTIN
pwunmi, July 26,186 i. I
To the People of the United States.
Bt an act of Congress. approved Juno 30, 1»64,
the Secretarv of the Treasury is anthonaad to nano
£ exceedingtwo hundred utilUou. of
in Treasury notes, bearing interest at a
rate* not exceeding seven and three-temha per
n “' ndecroable after three years from date,
to exchange tbe same for lawful monev. The
authorised to convert thc^ame
ISte of the United States Treasury Notea as de
in my advertisement, dated July 20, IdM.
“reumstance? under which th« loan ,s
your aid invoked, though d.ffenng
wfiWv from the existing state of affairs three years
« Lesuch as to afford equal encouragement and
“«°»f?f Tiiue while proving that the struggle (
security. exceed in duration and I
f ° r nft .Tour S wticipatwns, has tested the 1
seventy on developed the national re- I
an Extent alike unexpectedand re
markahle, exciting equal aston.shmont at horns
i Three years or war have burdened |
“J sritha debtwhich, but throe yearssince, would j
Ce Momed Beyond your abditr to meet. \«
XJcunriM wealth and productive energies
of have proved lobe so vast that it has .
Thorne
naUontl^jxistelice, andtho preservation
institutions, it does not Reserve a moments
W uX°the war has been supported and carried
on. as it only could have been, by a people re
as ‘ {. nV(ip of blood and treasure, to
solveu, at iroJ w posterity, the system of
r^^ovemraenfbv'qiUathiro them by the
who framed it. This dehberateaml patriotic
Sve has developed a power surprising even to
themselves. It has shown that m less than «
century a nati-.n has arisen, unsurpassed in vigor,
«d exhaustions in resources, able to conduct,
through a series of years, war on us most gtgaimc
seal-, and ending itself, whcu its close,
unimpaired in all the material elements of jmwer.
It has. at the present moment, great armies in the
field, facing an enemy apparently- approaching at
ueriod of utter exhaustion, but gtillstruggling with
» force the greater, add more desperate as it wes,
and becaure it sees, the nearapprouch of a .final
and fatal consummation. Such, in my deliberate
judgment, is the present condition of the great
Wit" t for civil liberty in which you are now cn -
to the present moment you have readily and
cheerfully afforded the means necessary to support
vour government in this protracted struggle. It
is lout wav. You proclaimed it, and you have
sustained it arainst traitors evety where, with a
patriotic devotion unaurpa-sed in the worlds
historv. , . ,
The securities ottered are such as should
command your ready confidence. Much effort
has beenmade toshake public faith in our national
credit, both at home and abroad. As yet we have
askod no foreign aid Calm and self-reliant, onr
own have thus far proved adequate to cun
wants. They are yet ample to meet those of the
present and the future. It still remains fora pat
riotic people to furnish the needful supply. I’fii;
brave men who are fighting our battles by land
and sea must be fed and clothed, munitions of wm
of all kinds must be furnished, or the war must
end in defeat and disgrace. This is not the lime
for any lover of his country to inquire as to the
state of the money market, or ask whether he can
so invest his surplus capital as to yield him a
larger return. No return, and no profit, can be
desirable, if followed by national dissolution, or
national di-grace. Present profit, thus acquired,
is hut the precursor of future and speedy destruc
tion. No investment can be so surely profitable
as that which tends to insure the national existence.
I am encouraged in the belief that by the recent
legislation of Congress our finances may soon be
placed upon a sounder an 4 more stable footing.—
The present deranged condition of the currency is
imputable, in a great degree, to disturbances
arising from tho withdrawal of necessary checks,
often inevitable in time of war, when expenditures
must largely exceed any possible supply of coin.—
The opportunities thus presented to acquire,sudden
wealth have led to vicious speculation, a con
sequent increase in prices, and a violent fluctua
tion, The remedy is to be found -only in con
trolling the necessity which begets the evil.—
Hitherto we have felt tho need of more .extensive
uud vigorous taxation. Sevet ecomment has beet:
made upon what seemed to many an undue timid
ity and tardiness of action, on the part of Congress,
in this regard. I deem it but just to say that ver
grout misapprehension -has existed, and perhap
still exists, upon this point. Legislators, like al
others, have ranch to learn in a new condition <>i
affairs. An enlirely new system was tobe devised
and that system must necessarily be the growth of
j time and experience. It is not strange that first
I efforts should have proved imperfect and irutde
| quate. To lay heavy burdens on a great and par-1
| nolle people in such a mariner os to bo equal and
| as to occasion the least amount of suffering or
Jr annoyance, requires time and caution, and vast
labor ; and, with all these, experience is needful
•M to test the value ol the system, and correct its
erro,,B - Such has been the work which Congress
wa-- called upon to perform. I sin happy to say
that daily results are. proving the Internal Revenue
Act to exceed in efficiency the most sanguine ex
pectations of its authors. In the month of June,
v* 1863, it yielded about four and one-half millions
•J of dollars, while the corresponding month of this
■ year returned about fifteen millions, under tbe
same law. Under the net law, which went intu
“• operation on the first day of the present month, tht
>- Treasury not unfreqhently receives one million ir
’ a day. As time and experience enable the officei s
i employed in collecting the revenue to enforce the
.. stringent provisions of the new law, I trust that a
-• , million per day will be found tho rule und riot tbe
r , exception. Still, much space is undoubtedly left
: for improvement in the law, and in its adminis
tr tjon, as a greater amount of necessary informa
tion is acquired. The proper sources o.‘ levcuue,
■ and the most effective modes of obtaining it, are
best developed in the execution of existing law*.
And I have caused measures to be initiated which
■ ■< will, it is believed, enable Congress so to improve
and enlarge the system as, when taken in connec
tion with the revenue from customs, and other
sources, to afford an ample and secure basis' for
foe national credit. Only on such a basis, and in
< a steady and vigorous restraint upon currency, can
g a remedy bo found for, existing evils. Such re
| ; attaint can only be exercised when ihe government
i is furnished with means to provide for its necessi
-1 ties. But without the aid of a patriotic people
I any government is powerless, for this or any other
B desirable end.
M The denominations of the notes proposed to be
U ‘“ aed . «Dging from fifty to five thousand dollars,
■ place these securities within the reach of all who
■ are disposed to aid their country. For their re
■ demptidn tne faith and honor and property of that
■ country are solemnly pledged. A successful issue
■ to-this contest, 'now believed to be near at hand,
■ will largely enhance their value to the holder •
B and peace once restored, all burdens can be lightly
B ■ borne. He who selfishly withholds his aid in the
■ bope of turning his available means to greater
' • immediate profit, is speculating upon his country’s
B - misfortunes, and may find that what seems to be
■ present gain leads only to future loss. I appeal,
B therefore, with confidence to a loyal and patriotic
■ people, and, invoke the efforts of all who love their
■ country, and desire for it a glorious future, to aid
■ - government in sustaining its credit,, and
B placing that credit upori a stable foundation. I
B >- W. I>. FESSENDEN,
Secretary of the Treasury.
•■J
t ,b' l **! Funs 1!—Do not risk your property any
; longer to the mercy of the flames, but tto to Ken
- -r- and have him insure you against loss by fire.—
; He is sgem for thirteen different companies
among which are some of the best in the Unitet
State*.' '
Altoona, doty 21,-tt