Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-10
4oeal anb psrsunal.
The Convention Of Old soldier. commence,

Fellows HaIl. owing 10 the Indictment weather,
and the bad condition of the roads, not more than
| two hundred veterans were in attendance. Pre-
vious TO their entering upon the business for
which they convened, they proceeded, in body
to the White House, 10 pay their rerpects 10 the
President of the United States, who eloquently
and periodically responded to the truly appropriate
address of the president of the convention, Judge
Joel b. Sutherland. The East Room presented d
scene in the highest degree interesting, and music
contributed its heart stirring power the occasion
The sentiment of the Union Of the States, {" now
and forever" found an ardent, profound echo from
every tongue. The appearance of the members
Of the convention was such as 10 command respect
"a patriot band, remnant of the gallant men
who, in the time of peril, rushed forth to their
country's defence. Hsnor TO the brave!
The business of the evening session comprised
the passage Of series of resolutions; among
them one calling upon the present Congress TO
supply the omissions of the last, with respect 10
the old soldiers, and plac, them on the same foot
ing with the veterans of the Revolution, as to
pay and pensions.
The convention adjourned yesterday afternoon,
TO meet in this city the eighth of January, 1857
NC iOHOWlHb dTc the TcsOlutlOuS pre-
amble adopted by that body:
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 deliberations
have since been numbered with the dead We
mourn their loss and venerate their memory
How many Of US may live TO see the next Ami
versary 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 do
everything in our power to perpetuale free
instil Tor our posterity, as pure and unfair
nished as they were handed down 10 by the
FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY and his illustrious
laborers in the cause of human liberty. Ii is
special duty TO cherish in our hearts and follow
the fraternal precepts Of Washington, contained
in his Farewell Address. : In this immortal docu-
ment he inculcates the indispensable necessity of
our 'union" under one General Government, if
we hope TO preserve our liberty.
"1o the efficacy and permanency Of your Union,
Government for the whole is indispensable.
"Respect for its authority compliance rciaA ITS
aics, acqmiesencs measures duties enjotned
by the Fundamental nsaatwas Of trns liberty The
basis OF our political system is the right of the
people TO make and to alter their constitutions OF
government. But the constitution Uhich at the
time EXISTS, McAanged by enplicit and autAsntic
act Of the oho people, rs sacredly obligatory upon
H. The very idea Of poioer and right Of the peo-
pie to established government presnppose ahe daty
Of every sndsvsdmalt to obey the established govern
ment
AH obstrnctions to the execution of the Laros; all
combinations and associations, under whatever
plausible character, with the real design directly
control, counterfeit, or awe the regular delbera
ton and action of the constituted authorities
destructive of this fundamental principle, and of
fatal tendency"
Therefore, be list Resolved, That having
solemnly sworn, when We first entered intorhe
service of our country, TO support and sustain the
Constitution Of The United States in the hope and
expectation TO enjoy the many blessings and adj
vantages 1t was designed 10 secure, will
honestly perform the obligations il enjoins and
not shrink from the duties it imposes upon US.
I'd. RESOLVED, That have witnessed with
pleasure the efforts now making in Congress for
the final settlement and payment Of our Revolu
tionary debt. We consider that our Government
is under the most solemn obligations TO carry out
the promises of the Continental Congress, as con-
tanned in the resolutions of October 81, 1850;
January 7, 1851; and March s, 1855; by allowing
to the officers ofthe Revolutionary army, the half
pay for life, to which they were entitled under
those resolutions, for the payment OF which the
faith of the nation was pledged and all those
Senators and Members who have taken an active
interest in behalf ofthe officers of the Revolution,
their widows and children, are entitled 10 the
thanks and gratitude ofthe country.
Sd. Resolved, That our grateful acknowledg-
ments are due to the last Congress for lis enact
ments in our behalf although not carried 10 the
extent of our hopes and expectations; and we
earnestly petition the present one 10 supply the
omissions of the former, by providing for the
declining years of the Soldiers of our Second War
Of Independence, as done for those Of the
Re evolutionary war.
4th Resolved, 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 prastlsed at the Pension Office,
ought, upon every priuciple of justice, TO com
mence at and from the date of the DISABILITY; and in
case of the death of the invalid, any arrears OF
peusion due HIM should be paid TO his widow; and
in case of her DEATH 10 the surviving children.
9Th. Resolved, That the subsequent marriage Of
a widow who was entitled TO pension or bounty
land in virtue Of any law of the United States,
should not prevent her from receiving such pen
sion land, provided she be otherwise entitled 10
the same; nor should the law render il necessary
that she be a widow at the time of her application
9th. Resolved, That the Bounty Land act Of
March 3, 1885, ought 10 be amended, so 10 en-
brace the children of any person who if living
would be entitled 10 Bounty Land under said act,
as well his "minor children and that those
soldiers of the of 1912 who enlisted for FIVE
years during the war, and served until dis
charged in consequence of disability, by reason
Of the expiration Of their term, ought 10 receive
grant Of 160 acres of land in addition TO what they
have already received.
7th. RESOLVED, That all the provisions heretofore
made for us, or which may hereafter be made,
ought 10 be extended TO our fellow citizens who
were confined in foreign prisons during any por
ton Of the war Of 1Sl2-'l5
Sth. Resoiued, That inasmuch many OF the
records OF the War Office, at Washington, have
been destroyed, it is unjust TO refuse credible
paro proof, and require the production Of record
evidence of service TO entite meritorous applicants
TO the beueft Of the laud and pension laws.
9Th. Resolved, That il is due TO the memory Of
James Madison, President ofthe United States at
the time Of the declaration Of war against Great
Britain, and who fearlessly recommended that
important measure, TO have appropriate statute
erected TO him in this city.
10Th Resolved That we will wear Grape on the
left for thirty days, in token Of respect for the
memories Of our companions in arms who have
died since our last Convention.
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.-At a meeting
of bsndholders ION Tuesday, at ths National
HoteD representing about nine hundred thou
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