Washington sentinel., 1855-01-09
Goeal aao Dersonal.

| Veterans Of ISI2.-In accordance with pre-
vious notice, the delegates of the old soldiers
from various parts Of the Union, convened yes.
terday morning in the First Presbyterian Church.
on Four-and.a-hali street.
Their object is TO procure from the United
States Government additional bounty lands, and
pensions.
There were over six hundred delegates in atten-
dance.
We noticed one who represented that he was
eighiy-seven years Of age, and who took peculiar
pleasure in recountng his warike deeds. And
there were present some as young as hny-two
years; they being mere boys when the country
needed the military services of IFS sons, which
were freely rendered and turned 10 good account.
Generals, colonels, majors, and all the other kinds
OF officers, were largely represented, in the per-
sons OF hearty-looking men, who could again face
the foe, in case Of emergency, (Which, we here
take occasion to remark by way of parenthesis,
we trust may never again occur, believing that
"peace hath her victories not less renowned than
warn Here and there, however, we noticed an
old soldier, the weight of years upon him, and ex-
hibitng much feebleness Of frame.
The delegates, in convention, were venerable
company, deserving Of the respect and the graft
tude Of their country. Perhaps never before,
under similar circumstances, was there such an
array OF good looks considering the ages of those
who composed the assemblage. Il was reunion
of old soldiers some of whom had fought side by
side, and they had now come up TO the seat of the
General Government, to ask for such measures of
legislation as they deem are justly due 10 them
in consideration Of their patriotic services.
The convention having been called TO order,
The Rev. Mr.. Sunderland delivered prayer,
in which he eloquently referred to the "times Of
old, TO the day of conflict, when victory crowned
I'VE pray Thee 10 let thy blessing rest upon them,
Uhe old soldiers } preserve them, in the sunset OF
their lives as Thou dids in their early mastering.
Do Thou protect them by Thy grace, and when,
after their soJourn among US, they shall be dis
persed; when, at thy summons, they shall resign
their last commission; and when they shall be dis
charged from all the conflicts of the world, permit
them TO lie down in peace, with the flag OF the
country which they defended waving over them
and, when Death shall open the portals Of the
grave, may they join the grand army OF spirits I'M
mortal"
We noticed that not few Of the old soldiers
shed tears during the delivery Of this impressive
prayer.
After preliminary movements, Joel B. Suther-
land, of Pennsylvania, was appointed President
Of the Convention; and long list of Vice Presi-
dents was presented; every delegation being per-
mitted TO nominate as many as il pleased.
While attending TO this part of the business,
Peter Williams, the interpreter ofthe Six Nations
Of Indians, of New York, who had delegation
seat of pew and addressed the convention TO
the following effect:
aGENTLEMEN ALL: | have been requested TO
speak on behalf of the Six Nations. General
Benson is here. We have delegation. lnas-
much as you have appointed vice presidents from
the several States, let me remind you the Six Ma
tons shared with you in your perils and priva-
tons, and all, and for this never received one
cent from the General Government. [Cries of
hear him tsii down. Samuel George is here.
IA voice: Where is he?' and another voice:
ssiand up George The old chief Immediately
yielded 10 the invitation He was fancifully
dressed in Indian costume, his face, likewise, be-
ing painted in various colors.l We suffered more
than all the other tribes, in the war of 1912, al
though we. were brought up in the forest. The
blood Of Red jacket is flowing in my veins.
honor and respect those who stood by my coun-
try, and were not afraid TO face death. Applause
Those who stood by you were red men, who had
no home but the United States Of America Allow
me tointroduce Samuel George, warrior of 1912
who fought against British savages and against
British redcoats. He is here now"
The bold and earnest manner of the orator
aroused the enthusiasm of the soldiers, and they
forthwith directed the names Of General Benson
and Samuel George TO be added TO the list OF vice
presidents.
A good deal Of confusion now prevailed the
sounds Of the drum and fife penetrated the church
from the outside, and gave warning that the mill
tary escort was in impatient waiting.
A committee was appointed to prepare resolu-
tions for the action of the convention, when re-
cess was taken until five o'clock in the after
noon.
The delegates then formed into line, and ac-
companied by the military escort Of District vol
unteers, preceded by the Presidents Mounted
Guard moved towards the Presidents House.
On arriving at the east gate, the escort wheeled
outward from the centre OF companies, and the
procession marched into the East room, where
the president of the convention, Mr.. Sutherland,
was introduced 10 the President of the United
States by the marshal In chief
Mr. Sutherland made brief address, present.
ing the veterans 10 his Excellency, who responded
in terms at once appropriate and eloquent, giving
them a cordial greeting and paying deserved
compliment 10 the intelligence and patriotism OF
the citizen soldery-the country's sure defence
in its time of peril. He likewise alluded, in ap-
propriate terms 10 the battle of the eighth of jan
uary which yesterday was celebrated
Among the eminent persons present at the
White House, were the members of the Cabinet,
Major General Scott, and Generals Cass and
Shields General Scott appeared to be extremely
happy in taking by the hand some Of the old sol
diers who served with him in the campaigns of
the war of1S12.
The veterans, in addition TO the volunteer mill
tia, were escorted 10 the Presidents House by the
President and Board Of Managers Of the Wash.
ngion National Monument Society.
Altogether, the proceedings were Of an inter.
esiing character.
EVENING SESSION
AT FIVE o'clock the convention re-assembled