Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-19
Convention of Old Soldiers.

The convention of the soldiers of the war
= 1919 met at Washington on the 9Th instant
Il. anniversary of the battle of New Orleans.
awards of two hundred delegates were in at,
Guidance. representing Virginia, Delaware,
PENNSYLVANIA. Maryland, District of Columbia,
Kentucky. Wisconsin, Vermont, Mississippi
anil New York.
After forming in procession, headed with q
military escort, they proceeded to the Presi
tp-'s House, where they ranged themselves
+. the east room to be received by the Presi
lent. who was addressed on behalf Of the con.
r,..9a By their president, Mr.. Sutherland.
The President responded in a fervent and
s,,rjotc address, which elected repeated cheers,
THE CONVENTION.
The Convention of the Old Soldiers met
y5sonentIy at the Odd Fellows Hall on 18th
street. Gel. J. B. Sutherland presiding. A
ares Of resolutions were passed, one of which
declares that if the construction given by the
Official organ Of the government whose duty
+: IS to adiudicate upon the laws passed for
orr relief. and for the benefit of the widows
gmi children Of our deceased brother soldiers,
he deemed correct, Congress ought to afford
nEn'.
The Convention was addressed by G.. W.
Park GUSTS, after which resolutions were
adopted, as foilowS:
Declaring their love for the Union, and
I'edgiug themselves honestly to perform the
obligations the Constitution imposes stating
tat the convention considers the government
arler the most solemn pledge to carry ont the
promises Of the Continental Congress regard
Ing the provision made for the officers Of the
revolutionary III That the Convention
Njiton earnestly the present Congress to sup
ry the omissions CT former ones by providing
FIR the declining years Of the soldiers and
,,orS Of the war of 1912, as was done for
lose of the Revolutionary war. That pen
,ols for wounds or injuries should commence
rom the time of the disability. and the arrears
pension should be paid to the widow or sur
wing children. That the bounty land act of
.>j5 sheald be amended to embrace the chill
iren Of any person who if living would be en-
tiled to land under that act as well as his
minor children and persons who enlisted for
I. rCarS, and served uAtii they were discharg-
g.or disabled, ought to receive 100 additional
af'S. That the pensions of the present law
Ea.,j also be extended to those confined in
.'r'-o prisons during the late war. And in.
.,anch as many rolls in the wal Office were
destroyed by fire, it is unjust to refuse parole
Ino., AMI require record evidence Of service
That it was due to the memory of President
James Madison that an appropriate statue be
oee.cd 10 BIN at Washington.
That the members of the convention will
'ar Grape on their arms for Thirty days in re.
yort 10 the memory of those who have died
s0'e the last convention met.
The following was also unanimously adopt
Roolri, That the limitation Of fourteen
.y' In the existing law onght to be repealed
."' that the soldier duly enrolled, for a time
however snort, should be entitled to one hun.
-aI and sixty acres Of land.
4 committee Of seven was appointed tc
.7lg the resolutions before Congress.
dN1ge Sutherland was declared permanent
la-N0itnt Of the convention.
line national convention Of these old soldiers
~"s HON a permanent organization, a com
,'!ee was appointed to draft a constitution
VT us iatuTr government