The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-01-04

monotOnous routine of camp life, and we feel
assured that the attendance will grow larger
with each performance. More appreciatlve
audiences could not be expected.
POLITICAL MEETING.-At meeting held at
Camp Casey, Va, on the evening of the oath of
December, 1864, by the men and officers of COM
panes A. B, G and D stationed at this camp
detached service, and of which Henry G. Spears,
was President, and William NJ Cowen Secretary,
the following preamble and resolutions were Of
fered:
Whereas A petition has been prepared by the
Israel Lyceum, Washington, D: g., Thos. H. G;
Hinton President, to be submitted to General
Bingham and through him to Hon. Charles
Sumner praying the Congress Of the United
States to confer upon the colored people of
America the right of Elective Franchise;
ReSOJUed, That in the judgment Of this meet
ing, the said petition is Objectionable, because
Congress has not the constitutional power to de-
eide what class Of persons shall or shall not ex-
ercse the right of suffrage in the States.
Resolved That in view of the important and
valuable services rendered to the United States
Government by the brave colOred soldiers, in
crushing this gigantic rebellion, each State
should grant to its coored population equal
rights.
Resolved, That we fully endorse and most
heartily approve the following noble sentiments
contained in the petition referred to, to-wit-
We do not think that the Almighty has poured
the tide of life through our breasts, animating
with portion of His own spirit; and at the same
time struck us off the list of rational beings
ResOIUed, That the colored soldiers have prov
en- by their patriotism and heroic bravery upon
the numerous battlefelds of the present war that
they entitled to, and should be permitted to
exercise, the right of holding commissioned
offices in the army.
The preamble and first resolution were dis
| cussed and adopted. Rev J. R. Johnson, S. H.
Smothers, g. P. Clemens and Captains Lufkin,
Cults and o. Brien, and Lieut.. William P. Rob-
erts, spoke in favor of the second resolution
The meeting adjourned to meet ON next Satur-
day evening at p M.
Rev. j. r. Johnson, assisted by Rev. G. P.
Clemens, of Co. A.. 10Th q. S. G. t., and Corp'1
Lemuel Stokes, of Co. c., are doing much good
| in the moral and religious improvement of the
men. A SOLDIER.
THE HoLIDAYs.-Last Sunday week was
| Christmas Day. and the first of the Holidays.
| The sun shone out warm and clear, and, but for
the mud, the day bid fair to be all that could be
| wished. Quite u number of the men in camp
received passes and spent Merry Christmas in
Washington City. The remainder were Toasted
upon Christmas dinner, comprising turkey,
mashed potatoes, and rich, juicy raisin and
| bread pudding. The turkeys and other edibes
| were provided by our worthy Quartermaster,
Capt Hoyt, out of the post fund. The cooks de-
| serve especial mention for the very credtable
manner in which the dinner prepared. The
Commissary Department was ransacl<ed thor
| oughly to add to the enjoyment of the men,
No disturbances occurred during the day to
mar the general joy, and the occasion will be long
remem bered by the present occupants of the
| camp, as one of the brightest spots in the mem
ory of soldiers otherwise enduring life of hard
ship. Although the "exigencies of the service
| would not permit of their going home for the
| Holidays, the men enjoyed themselves with a
soIdierly zest, "bade dull care begone,' and con-
soled themselves with the thought that ere many
more Christmas should come and go, they would
be again at home, enjoying a blessed peace and
quetness, the result of their heroic labors in the
cause of their country, and all the more pleasing
on that account. New Years Day, the last of the
| Holidays, passed off without any unusual stir