Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-01-20
Convention Of old seldiers.
WASHINGTON, Monday Jan. s, Il


The convention of the soldiers and Indians
terrain Church, on Four and one-half street.,
at Ii O'Clock this morning, and organized by
the choice of Joel B. Sutherland, Of Phila-
delphia as president.
PRAYER was delivered BY the Rev. Mr.. SUM-
derland, of this city, and brilliant speeches
were made by Peter Wilson, Sachem of the
Cayugas, and others.
A very large procession, preceded by the
Navy Yard Band and all the military of
Washington, is now moving toward the Pres
idential mansion. The old veterans appear
quite rejuvenated. The weather is fine, ard
Pennsylvania avenue is filed with people,
the windows being all occupied by ladies.
SECOND DISPATCH.
The Old Soldier procession reached the
White House about O'Clock P. NJ, and part
| of it entered the East room. Most of the
Cabinet were present. Mr.. Sutherland, the
President of the convention addressed the
President Of the United States in substar CO
as follows:
feel delighted to present such vast
body, all of whom were in the war of 1872.
We have called because you also are SOL
der of the revolutionary stock. You had
two brothers in the same war. The day and
cause prompt US to pay our respects to you.
About forty years ago Packenham. with 5000
men, came to our shores, his men well dis
ciplined and armed. Our forces four thous-
and, ill-provided, drove them back with a
loss of 700 killed and with the loss to US Of
only seven killed and six wounded. Con-
rrast this with the Allies before Savastopol.
1t proves that it is not to military skill and
discipline but to men with rifles on their
shoulders. The man who fought that battle
knew you and you knew him well; all the
country venerate him. The day should be
CONNIE norate henceforth for ever. Res, living
this last year, We met in Independence Hall,
Philadelphia. This year we gave forty days
notice in single paper, and the result is be-
| fore you.
The President, in reply, substantially
spoke as follows.
Itender you my sincere thanks for the
presentation of so many veterans Of the war
of 1912, and for the kind illusions to my
family. No one could witness the noble
eountenances of these men without suppos-
ing them 10 be veterans Of the War. | re-
ioice that you are here, and in company with
the red men who have rendered our country
service, and are entitled to our thanks. nv
earliest reading and associations are in refer
ence to the War of 1872. When news of
that War arrived, was always at the coun-
try Post Office, for the latest tidings--intcr-
ested because Of the members of my own
family, and the soldiers from my neighbor-
hood, engaged, and of the immense inpor-
lance of a favorable result to my country
AS consider it the duty of every body to
make sacrifices for his country, can only ex-
press the affectionate regard | have felt for
the detachments which occasionally called at
my fathers on the way to northern frontiers
--some Of them never to return. 1t is pc
culiar qualification to meet here so large a
remnant of that War. How many camp and
field incidents must have been revived by the
meeting, and how MANY "reminiscences have
attended your re-assembling. All these men,
cries you will cherish. From different parts
of the country, you come with one heart
You will recollect, it is the fundamental
principle of our country that to our entire
solders-not large standing armies-the in
terests OF our country are committed. All
our institutions promise peace if that is
disturbed, the patriotism which you exhibited
forty years ago will give vigor to our arms
and courage to your sons. You come ANNA
ted with common purpose-love of your
bcountry and institutions, the Constitution of
which must be maintained at ali hazards
1t is cheering to recollect that they who have
fought our battles have never been the men
to disseminate political heresies, to revile the
Government, to deride our insti utions, to
sow political discussions, or to set at de-
fance the laws Of the land. Allow me to in
dorse sentiment of one now before me
Gen. Cass-once a private in your ranks, now
a statesman and sage to whom we look up
when dark clouds hang over the political hor-
izon-we should cling to the Constitution as
the mariner clings to the last plank when
waves threaten to engulf him. l heartily
wish you everything your country can con-
sistently give you, and know you will ask
no more. You are here in the consciousness
Ct duties we'll performed, for which you now
receive the appreciation of your countrymen.
compared with which leagues of land or any
thing known in trade are tribes. Your chill
dren have your acts as their legacies which
they will prise more than any bequest which
could be made. know my heart beats more
warmly on this day than ON any other in the
year, the fourth of July excepted. You are
welcome to this house, of which you are pro-
prietors, and l but the tenant. May God,
who has so sigpally blessed our country, pre-.
serve and protect those who have rendered
such valuable aid. Six cheers were then
given for the President, and there sugges. ed
by banner for Free Ira lie and Sailors
Rights. The representative Of the Six Ma
tons, Samuel George. War Chief of tho
Onandagas, through an interpreter then said:
l have taken our Great Father by the hand
and am happy. The Pres dent thinks those
who have served this country should be re-
munerated. The pale faces have superseded
our people, bus pray that the Great Spirit
may prosper this country. The Six Nations
desire that the people of the United States
may be prosperous and happy. You are so
numerous that we can't take each one by the