Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-01-09
STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGKNc r

diers, on. arriving at the White House. ad-
dressed President Pierce on tho part of his
fellow soldiers, briefly and psrtinently, we'll.
ing upon the occasion which had brouobt
together many who had parted at tbe camn
fsrty years ago, and who were now petitioners
70 the country for meagre acknowledgment
OF their services. His remarks were nIea.
sanity interpreted with references to the &C.
eurrences of the war of 1872 and drew forth
many bursts of applause
President Pierce replied in an excsedinolv
happy manner, showing quick appreciation
OF his audience and ready tact in speaking.
de referred to his own remem brance of tie
war; to the anxiety he felt in his home 10
hear of the progress Of our troops, and to be
assured of tho safety of the older members of
his family who were participating in the
struggle. He welcomed the veterans of that
war to the house Of which "they were pro
prietors and he at present a tenant" and az
sured them of his deep interest in the object
Of the meeting.
The speech gave high degree of satisfac.
tion, and was warmly applauded Gen Scott
was present during the reception and was
greeted by many Of hose who had f upht
under him. At the conclusion of the inter
view the company retired, paying their re-
spects to the President, who had taken sta.
ton near the door, The military escort was
SSCOrCed
the church.
The Convention rsassembled at 5 O'clock at
the At street Presbyterian Church, when, after
few preliminaries, Gen Coombs read a pre-
amble and resolutions (which are published in
the morning paperD setting forth the claims
Of the veterans of 1912 upon our country and
appointing committee to memorable Con.
gress to grant at least 100 acres of land to the
surviving soldiers Of the late war and their
widows and children.
General Coombs, in support of the resolu.
tons, made an eloquent and soul.stirring
speech, relating many interesting incidents Of
the late war. He was frequently interrupted
by applause; and told several anecdotes ia
connection with his subject, which produced
outbursts of laughter.
MIR. Baldwin, of New York, entertained the
auditory with patriotic remarks, and was like.
wise applauded. He argued to show til At the
soldiers did not ass as beggars, but as matter
of right.
Judge Porter, of Pennsylvania, thought
that Congress ought to give the land without
being asked. They should volunteer to grant
it, as the soldiers had volunteered for their
country. The people would ratify the coz.
duct of their representatives He was both
entertaining and eloquent, and his remarks
were rapturously received.
General CoOmbs read letter from Major
General Wlnfeld Scott, exp essive of his warm
est sympathy In the movement of the old sol.
diers, but doubling whether il would be pro
per for him, while holding his present posi- !
tion in the army, to connect his name with
the object for which the Convention was held
General Sam Houston being loudly called
for, rose and said he understood his name had
been added to the list of vice presidents. He
regretted that he could not, compstibIy with
his duty as Senator of the United States, &C.
cept the honor. He did not wish to be embar
raised in his Cficial position. He, however.
spoke in high terms Of the old soldier. before
him, and toward the conclusion Of his feeling
and eloquent address, said, 81 desire they
shall, in after times, phile eking out heir ex.
istence hare, have ease, rest, and .f1uenee.
and when the eve Of winters life comes on. if
they chance to be surrounded by friends and
descendants, they may fight their battles
Ger again and point to their wounds and
tell them that the glory Of the country WIS
won by their valor; and that when they are
ordered to the great inspection above, they
may 60 unembarrassed by want"
The General was loudly applauded q. he re-
sumed his seat.
Captain &. W. P Gusts, Colonel Judson.
and other gentlemen addressed the Convention
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
and, after further proceedings, the conv ention
adjourned
The convention assembled this morning at
10 o'clock. A large delegation was present.
At the conclusion OF prayer By the Rev ID.
WestbIook, chaplain in the army Of 1912,
Judge Sutherland was unanimously re cleo
ted to preside over the meeting, and j. Madi
son was appointed vice president.
Some time was consumed by the members of
the convention giving in their names and resi-
dences, after which DR.. Baldwin, Of n Y, of.
fered the following resolution:
That a committee, consisting Of one or more
from each State, t. he selected by the dele.
gates from each State, be appointed by the
convention, whose duty it shall be to sEamine
the bill now before Congress, providing for the
relief of the Unitod Brothers Of the var of
1912, end propose such amendments as they
nay think necessary, and to urge its passage
by Congress.
This was ably advocated By Col Dough v.
Gen Leslie Couu.bs, and Major Peter, Of Md
after which it was submitted by the Chair to
the meeting and carried unanimously
Ex-Governor Ritter, Of Pa then rose. and
spoke to some length, showing the part the
veterans Of Pennsylvania took in the war of
1912. On bis taking his seat pleasing inoi.
dent took place gentleman rose and "a.
quested permission of the Chair and meeting
to introduce banner which had been prs
sented by thirteen ladies O, Albany to the vet
Grams Of 1872 Of the State of New York. as
sembled in State Convention, at Fonda, Sop
TENDER, 1854, whom they selected Gen eral. in.
Chief, Gen. S. Van Rennessalaer, to present
it. The flag is very handsome one, and cost,
as We heard, 500. 1t has also Inscribed on it
the names Of the donors, with the thirteen
stars.
a proposition was made to give three cheers
for the banner, as also the same number for
the lady donors, which was given most yocif-
srously.
Major Taylor, of New York, then rose and
spoke at some length.
John Galloway, apIivate in the war of 1912,
next addressed the meeting.
Ex Gov Sprague, of Maryland, In few RS
marks, introduced Col. Todd, of Kentucky,
whs was called upon by the meeting to ad.
dress them, anu whom we left speaking
The BALL LAST NIeHr.-The ball of the
Montgomery Guards, at j. ckeon Hall, was
decidedly the military ball of the season The
occasion being one Of national festivity and
patriotic motives, served greatly to swell tho
attendance. Those familiar with balls in
jackson Hall, tell US that never before was