Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-01-15
TIIE OLD SOLDIERS.


oldtion appointing a committee ofone from each
State to prepare constitution for the Society
of United Brothers of the War of 1912, !" who
are instructed to report at the next meeting in
january, 1857 Mr. Sutherland and Mr.. G. VI :.
P. Curtis then seyerally addressed the Conven-
ton at considerable length, previous to its final
adjournment. Weanncx the preamble and res
olutions, reported by committee ofwhich Gen
Leslie Combs was chairman, and which were
unanimously adopted by the Convention:
Soldiers Of the Var Of 1sl2-16, an Conrentioa
at Washington, Jan. s, 1866.
| Another year has rolled over our heads since
our last assemblage in this city, and many Of
those who then participated with us in our de-
| alterations have since been numbered with the
dead. We mourn their loss and yenerate their
memory. How many of us may live to see the
next anniversary of this glorious day God only
knows. We hope to be ready for our destiny
whenever it may come upon us. While We live
| it is our duty to serve our country whenever
called on, and TODD everything in our power to
Eperpetuate our free institutions for posterity
as pure and as untarnished as they were handed
down to us by the Father Of his Country and his
illustriouS co-laborers in the cause of human
liberty. 1t is our special duty to cherish in our
hearts and follow the paternal precepts of Wash
| ington contained in his Farewell Address In
this immortal document he inculcates the indis-
penSable necessity of our union under one
General Government if we hope to preserve our
liberty.
.STo the efficacy and permanency of your
Union government for the whole is indispen-
sable" Respect for its authority, COM
lpliance with its laws, acquiescence in its meas
ures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental
l. z
itical system is the right of the people to make
and TO alter their constitutions of government
But the constitution which at the time exists,
till changed by an authentic and explicit act of
the whole people, is sacredly obligatory uponall
The very idea of thepo and right of the peo-
pic to establish government presupposes the
duty of every individual to obey the established
government" "All distractions to the execu-
ton of the laws; all combinations and associa-
tons, under whatever plausible character, with
the real design to directly control, counteract,
or awe the regular elaboration and action of the
constituted authorities, are destructive Of this
fundamental principle and of fatal tendency."-
Therefore, be it
1st Resolged, That having solemnly sworn
when we first entered into the service of our
country, to support and sustain the Constitu-
ton of the United States, in the hope and eXpec-
tation to enjoy the many blessings and alvan-
tages it was designed to secure, we will honestly
perform the obligations itenjoins and not shrink
from the duties it imposes upon us.
3D. Resoleel, That We have witnessed with
pleasure the efforts now making by Congress for
the final settlement and payment of our Rcvo-
lutionary debt. We consider that our country
lis under the most solemn obligations to carry
out the promises of the Continental Congress,
as contained in the resolutions of Oct. 81, 1880:
Jan. Z, 1881; and MarchS, 1885, by allowing
tot the officers of the Revolutionary army the
half pay for life to which they were entitled ull-
der those resolutions, for the payment of which
the faith of tile nation was pledged and I'LL those
Senators and members who have taken an active
interest in behalf of the officers of the Rcyolu-
ton, their widows and children are entitled to
the thanks and gratitude of the country.
3d. RcSoE0ed, That our grateful acknowledge
ments are due to the last Congress for its enact
ments in our behalf, although not carried to the
extent of our hopes and expectations; and We
Earnestly petition the present one to supply the
Omissions of the former, by providing for the de
clining years of the soldiers and sailors of our
second arof Independence as was done for those
of the Revolutionary war.
4th. ResOlued, That all pensions for wounds
or injuries received while in the line of duty in
the military and naval service of the United
States, instead of commencing at the completion
of the proof, as is now practised ut the Pension
Office, ought, upon every principle of justice, to
commence at and from the date of the disability;
and, in case of the death of the invalid, any
arrears of pension due him should be paid to his
widow; and, in case Of her death, to the suryi-
wing children.
5th. Resolrea, That the subsequent marriage
of widow who was entitled to pension or to
bounty land in virtue of any law of the United
States should notpreyent her from receiving such
pension or land, provided she be otherwise enti-
tied to the same; nor should the law render tine
ccssary that she be widow at the time of appli-
cation
9th. Resozred, That the bounty land act of
March g. 1866, ought to be amended so as to en-
beace the children Of any person who, if living,
would be entitled to bounty land under said act,
as well as his "minor children" and that those
soldiers of the war of 1872 who enlisted for five
years or during the war, and served until dis
charged in consequence Of disability or by rca7
son Of the expiration of their term, ought tore
Eceive grant Of 100 acres in addition to what
they have already received.
18th. ReSolUed, That, if the construction given
1 by the official organ of the Government whose
duty it is to adjudicate upon the laws passed for
our relief and for the benefit of the widows and
children ofour deceased brother soldiers be DEEM
cd correct, Congress ought to afford relief
Sth. ReSolEed, That all the provisions hereto
fore made, ought to be extended to our fellow
citizenswho were confined in foreign prisons du-
ring any portion ofthe war of1Sl2-15.
9th. Resolrcd, That, inasmuch as many of the
rolls of the War Office at WaShington have been
destroyed, it is unjust to refuse parol proof and
require tho production Of record evidence of SER
vice, to entitle applicants to the bene
fit of theland and pension laws.
/ 10th. Resolred, That it is due to the memory
of James Madison, President of the q. States
at the time of the declaration of war against
Greet Britain, and who fearlessly recommended
that important measure, to have an appropriate
statue erected to him in this city.
11th. RsSolEea, That we will wear Grape on
the left arm for thirty days, in token of respect
for the memories Of our companions in arms who
have died since our last Convention.
I 1t was further resolved that the requisition of
fourteen days service to entitle soldier to boun-
ty land should be repealed.
The foregoing resolutions were referred to a
committee ofseYen, who are instructed to pres
A entthem to the attention Of Congress
4 H.