The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-09

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF Tue VETERANS OF
1914
The eighth Of January 1855 viii long he remembered
IN Washington, less from the patriotic associations
which naturally cluster around The brightest DAYS
in the military hstorof the republic than from the sim
pie stirring fact that after the lapse OF forty years. glo-
ous remnant Of that glorious band who had faithfully
and arlessls upheld Che flag Of their country in many
hard-lought field assembled ia the capital Of the nation
to ask for donors Or rewards but to lay before the
country plain cs a their services and sacrifices
10 give 10 their honest expectations ha The
ton Of the representatives Of the people may be rghay
Influenced when they called upon discharge Of
the sacred debts Of the nation Although the call
for holding this convention only published about six
weeks ago and although the forth those
who bent with years, il not nhrmtes il fell upon
eager anxious ears and in spite Of the Indictment OF
the year and Of age and Of physical disabilities and Of
the tolls OF travel and in many OF the ptable
pinehng wants Of poverty that complains not hundreds
II not thousands of the OF 1912 in
tion in this city, yesterday morning II bright,
balmy, beautiful day, and il seemed If winter had
relaxed It's icy hold under the genial hcart-moyng in
aence inspired by the presence OF those stout old defend
Of their eountrys rights and honor We viii not at
tempt follow the from the time of their arr-
val in city until the close Of the proceedings in the
convenon last evening. they welcomed 10 the
federal city with warmth of hospitality characteristic
Of the people Washington while the volunteer corps
the District We'd with each other in their attempts
der appropriate military honors to the old soldiers The
proceedings Of the convention in the morning (which
held in Dr. Snnderands church a srect attracted
immense of people But the great feature OF the
day the imposing ceremonies at the presidential
sion The procession broke into column about hafpast
twelve o'clock took up their line of march the
White House. The sidewalks lined with people the
windows of the houses Pennsylvania avenue, and
throughout the entire line of march, crowded with
their inmates while the steps poreo of the Treasury
Building fairly qttered in vast variega,ed of
silks and saiius
The East Room of the presidential mansion presented an
imposing spectacle from its gdcd, gtering trap
pings from group Of men who occupied north
extremity of this noble apartment In the centre of
the group stood the President Of this mighty republic
quiet selfreying and with air of simple native dignity
about the man which is felt and acknowledged by all who
approach him. He surrounded BY whose
closely with the history Of country
Tall and towering above ALL stood General Scott his form
still erect notwithstanding nearly half centurys hard
Lane and Shields and old commodores who brnyed
the storm and battle when few only gltered in the
contedcracy Of States when ships few in number
and when Britain claimed be mistress Of the and
last but least there members of the cbinethc
cool and aseeing Marcy the energetic accomplished and
chivalrc Davis Dobbn resolnte active and ndcfatga-
BILE and Cushing, with all his rare intellectual gifts and
wealth Of mind Judge Campbell Mr. Guthrie and Gov
4...t.
press of official business Among the naval officers we
noticed Commodores Stewart Smith, and Norris
The head of the column reached the White House about
two o'clock and nnder the admirable guidance of the
chief marshal his aids the old soldiers were escorted
the East Room without the slightest noise or con-
sion marching sections Of two and coil-ke filing mp
the East Room compncty yet with great regularity As
the old soldiers filed by the President with lettering steps
yet cleaning eyes required effort Of the imagination
bring back the desperate battles Of Chippewa Niagara
Lundys Lane and New Orleans, with all their attendant
strife aud boodshedthe groans of the wounded the
gush Of lhe dying few Of the survivors Of those hard
fought battles there and least Of those generals
who had led them glory and also present
not only living IN the glorious history oIe past but
With and greener aurels added 10 his brow In the
ranks noticed the lwart form and active step Of Gem
eraI Glass; As he passed the presidential group he seized
hold OF Secretary Marcy observing with laugh aercs
your place governor If you the pen now you handled
the sword in lSi2r We need scarcely add, thai Mr.. NJ
required further prompting from the distinguished and
patriotic from Michigan He Incorporated
in the ranks Of the old soldiers where he remained during
the whole ceremonies.
AS the was filled to its utmost capacity,
with comfort and the measured tramp Of feet
longer heard the grand marshal of the day intro
duced the president Of the National Convention Of the
veterans Of 1912 to the Chief Magistrate.
Hon Joel B. Sutherland of Pennsylvania addressed the
President follows:
NJ. Suthcrlands Speech
Mr. PRESIDENT feel very much delighted to have the
opportunity to-day OF presenting your friendship and
acquaintance such body OF now present
all of whom In the Of lsl2our glorons second
being yourself descended from revolutionary stock like
Of us aud believed ii be our express duty 10
visit you this occasion Bnt there other reasons to
which may briefly advert had brothers engaged
in the with us and when remember that
sodiery feeling which pervndes all who here present
feel bound % pay this tribute of respect The Pres
dent ofthe Tuited States But sir when remember the
day and the which brings hither, am more in
clne press this subject upop the consideration of our
friends who present than anything else Forty wears
ago the British under General Packenha as their leader
having command Of nine thousand soldiers marched
towards the American lines nj New Orleans The American