The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-19
The Soldiers and Sailors Convention.
Special Report for the Press.
BANGOR. Nav II, 1866.
SECOND DAY.

q, SECOND DAY.
The Convention assembled at o'clock amid
the booming of salute OF 100 guns fired from
the heights in rear of the hall. After coming
to order, Gen. Hamlin sung "John Brown"
the whole Convention joining in the chorus.
A large number OF resolutions additional to
those adopted last evening were presented and
referred to the Committee on Resolutions.
Inc committee on Constitution reported as
follows: '~~- '11 7 /.
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, it is emnently proper the suryi-
vors OF those who stood together in the field
during the late war for the Union should per-
petuate by Associations the friendships created
by common suffering, trials and sacrifices, and
extend such aid and sympathy as brothers
in arms may justly ask OF each other, we, the
Soldiers and Sailors of Maine, in Convention
assembled, do adopt the following
~. CONSTITUTION. %.
ART. I.
This organization shall be called the Maine
State Soldiers and Sailors Union.
ART. ii.
The objects of this Union are
1st, To provide by full Convention at least
once year, and by such other means as may
hereafter be deemed advisable, for the renewal
and maintenance OF our acquaintance and
iendship.
I'd, TO aid and encourage all wise plans OF
the Government, or of private benevolence,
for the support and comfort Of the families of
deceased soldiers and sailors, and assist worthy
men to obtain employment and improve their
condition in lite.
each other as brothers, and to stimulate genu-
inc patriotism and unfinching loyalty in the
entire community.
i ART. III.
The qualifications for membership shall be
residence in Maine, and honorable service in
the army or navy of the United States during
the late war, as shown by present honora-
bic standing in said army on navy, or by the
usual honorable discharge.
ART. Nv.
Sec. l. Provides the officers of the Union.
Sec. 2 Prescribes The duties of the Presi-
dent, Vice Presidents and Treasurer.
Sec. 3. The Secretary, in addition to the
usual duties OF that office, shall, under the s,l-
pervision of the Executive Committee, keep
careful roll of the members of the Union, with
the organization to which they belong, resi-
dence, business, or If without occupation, that
it is desired, and issue such roll in printed form
with corrections, at least once year; to con-
duct correspondence, and to transact all gene
raj business of the Union.
Sec. A. Defines the duties of the Executive
Committee, among which are: to appoint an
Assistant Secretary in each county of the
State; to fix the compensation of the Secreta-
ry; to provide for and audit the expenditures
OF the Union; to advise and aid worthy sol
diers and sailors to obtain payment oil just
claims; to warn them against frauds; to de-
tect, and when advisable, prosecute persons
guilty OF frauds bearing upon their rights and
claims; to call, in conjunction with the Presi-
dent, the meetings of the Association, and to
fix the basis of representation.
Sec. 5. Defines quorum OF that Committee
Sec. g. Prescribes the method of electing
the officers.
1t shall be the duty Of Assistant Secretaries
tolseek out, and recommend to the Executive
Committee, deserving soldiers and sailors, and |
to communicate to the Secretary whatever
they may see or hear affecting the interests of
the Union, and deem worthy Of attention.
ART. vi.
The annual Convention shall be held in the |
month of May of each year.
ART. VII.
Provides for Bylaws of the Association.
Ns ART. VIII. O
Provides for the amendment of this Consti-
tuition.
"a This Constitution was unanimously adopt |
ed. a4
An amended report of the Committee ap-
pointed to ascertain the number, name, rank
and regiment of those present, was submitted
as follows:
Whole No. of Delegates present, SIS
Whole number of organizations
reported, So
The Convention took recess till II o'clock, |
when the officers ofthe Union for the ensuing
year resulted as follows: 'i. s--4
President-Gen. Selden Conner, Of Kendalls |
Mills.
Vice Presidents-G Gen. j. A. Hill, Gen. j. d.
Fessenden, Col. Boynton, Col. Joseph Noble
Capt. George B. Kenniston, Gen. W. W. Vir-
gin, Sergt. W. FL. Davis, Gen. J. p. Cilley. Col.
Macarthur, Col. Davis, Capt. VIM. Montgome-
ry, Gen. G. II. Smith, Maj. BENZ. Hall, Col.
S. c. Belcher, Gen. Thomas w. Hyde, Sergt
S. G. Shaw, 31st regiment.
Treasurer-Coi. E. f. Luce, Auburn.
Secretary-Lieut. w. E. Stevens, Bangor.
Executive Committee-Ca Captain w. Il. Wal
dron, Capt. j. ID. Warren, Col. ]. f. Miller,
Maj. j. W. Charming, Capt. G. P. Cochrane,
Gen. James A. Hall, Capt. Hewett, Gen. Hen
ry Rust, Col. Mark Wentworth, Col. Philo
Hersey, Capt. +. A. Hill, Col. w. e. Hadlock,
Capt. Eldridge j. Patten, Capt. e. J. Miller,
Capt. Charles H. Small, Major E. A. Thomp-
son. .s
1t was voted that the Executive Committee
determine upon and prepare badge to be
worn by members of the Association.
The Committee on Resolutions made their
final report as follows:
ResoEced That this Convention recognizes with su-
prelne gratitude to Almighty God the termination of
our late war in manner contributing much to the
extension Of human rights; the honor OF American
liberty; the more perfect integrity of the Union the
lustre Of arms and the mission OF our country
as the herald of true civilization throughout the
world M t0F
q That werevert with distinguished pride to the
part which our own S ate has taken in the crisis of
our national history-deveoping physical resources
and capacity craftsmanship; spirit of patriotism
and devotion to the country equal to the emergency
along with military valor and conduct uneclpsed BY
that of the troops of any other State, and which
must constitute of the brightest most enduring
and grateful pages in the history of our beloved Com
monwealth.
8. That we recall with tenderest sensibility the
memory of comrades-in-arms, some of whose names
are depicted upon these walls, who will appear no
among the living but whose services while they
have gone to their reward in another world we viii
ever cherish, and tell to children's children that
In In other generations their names may be green and
4. That upon such an occasion as this, of earnest
gratulations and renewal of friendships formed in
the most trying circumstances, we cannot withhold
some expression of our sympathy with many
hearts and hearthstones made desolate by the war,
| commencing them to "God that comforteth those
that are down. petit ming for them that he would
draw them to Himself, and make them partakers OF
| His own infinite peace.
S. That in view OF the epoch which we have just
completed. alike remarkable in own and in the
history of nations, which, besides the offering of life
and treasure, has been iraught with an expenditure
| of mental anxleties and throbbng sensibities at
home, of hardship, suffering and patient endurance
on the march, on the field and in the hospital to be
computed by no arithmetic and expressed by no Ian
guage-we watch with intense solcitude the national
legislation as bearing on the permanent results
the peace stability and liberty of the nation IN all
the future And there is not more certain way to
those Who have been dsloyal to their country. while
they pass by those who stood by her in the hour of
| danger and trial. a
6. That we remind all who are in authority, that
eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, that in pass