Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-01-24
WHOLE NUMBER 176.
CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS
OF 1912. Visit TO the Presidents Mansion.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.

The Convention of the soldiers and indians
engaged in the war of 1919 met at the Presby.
terlan Church, on Four-and. .a-halfth street. at IL
o'clock this morning, and organized by the
choice OF Joel b. Sutherland, of ofPhiladelphia, as
President. Prayer was delivered by Rev. Mr..
Sunderland, OF this city, and brilliant speeches
were made by Peter Wilson, ,Sachem of the Cay
ugas, and others A tremendous procession,
preceded by the Navy Yard band, and all the mil.
itary of Washington, marched to the Presidents
mansion.
The old Soldiers 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
U. States in substance as follows:
81 feel delighted to present such vast body,
all of whom were in the war of 1912. We have
called because you also are soldier of the rev.
olutonary 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 disciplined and armed our forces
4,CO0 ill-provided, drove them back with loss
of 700 killed and 1000 wounded, and with
loss on our part of only seven killed and six
wounded.
"Contrast this with the Allies before Sevas-
topol. 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; and the
country venerate him. The day should be com.
memorated henceforth forever-resolved this
last year we met in Independence Hall, at Phil
adelphia-and this year we gave forty days no.
tice in single paper, and the result is before
you"
The President in reply, spoke substantially as
follows:
:" tender you my sincere thanks for the pre-
sentatlon OF so many veterans Of the war Of
1872, and for the kind alusious to my family
No one could witness the noble countenances
OF these men without supposng them to be
veterans Of the war. | rejoice that YOU are
here and in company with the red men who
have rendered our country service, and are en-.
titled to our thanks. My earliest readings and
associations are connected with the war Of
1872"
After the conclusion of his speech, six cheers
were then given for the President, and three sug
gested by a banner for Free trade and Sailors
rights.
The representative ofthe Six Nations, Samuel
George,W Chief of the Onondagas, thro' an in
terpreter, said:
6 have taken the great father by the hand,
L
and am happy. The President thinks those
who have served this country should be remu-
noonIe bnt prov d. ,ho Capt 60. oul
prosner this copntyv The Siv N",;aI '" may
that tho naonIe If ,5a TT St,tas mo-, b. aosmo
one and bonpvn A'"y 20 Pio'Pei-
Yor oro sn r,r,orors .h,.
orn hy Tho h,nd hut 49,, o w.. ." ."no e.s''
bv side with vonr fathers and now ,;vo ,,,;,h .u'
and prav for vour nrosneritv '" NV WV" 'o''
Tba yost oonno,rso H.. -. IT,,
;ng conorotuat;ons with Tho pnns;d,n. '.HnS '','H
nassino ont the soldiers d;snorsinn ~ "hue ,hn;'
homes for dinner. '''s " ''''"
In tho eron;nr root;r III,
Presbvter;an Ch1rcb ~ wh;oh cannu.I Is sn0 'ro
Coombs. of XIV. Cen Houston Genrno W.
inrton Porke Cnrtis and others ~ sroash
90 're''"-
The old Soldiers ore bold;nr tbo;r Conron,;ou
TO-DAY at WASHINGTON Concress h,r;na, a..
ned over. thew nav have the nse of the H9l, of
nePreee"'a'Nes' ou'' they are calied 10 meet IN
n;, sno iiesoy'e1lan o"Grcn. M !nere are over 1000
sa,u W Ie presen'' lhey VIII not get All they
asn iJ', ous sonie measures lot lne,r reiief VIII
pr plopnoy pass hquar'er,sectlon (ioo acres) OF
Tue Iuchc :, Lanos 10 eacn soldier who was q
lnontn IN service during the last war, or to his
widow or chlidren, Is the shape 1t seems most
iiKeiy 10 take.