The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-10-08
JohD w. oeary and the Soldiers of
the Mexican War.


On Saturday, July 18th, 1s4S, and
shortly after the return of the Fayette
county volunteers from the war with
Mexico, they held meeting in Con.
nellsville, at which the following pre-
amble aud resolutions were unanimous.
ly adopted: pHI r 1
WHEREAS, The discharge and arriv-
al home of the remaining members of
the Fayette Volunteers has again placed
them in the position of citizens of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and
enabled them to speak and assert their
rights, they now embrace this occasion,
the first opportunity since their return,
to express their deep and ABIDING
INDIGNATION of the conduct of
JOHN w. GEARY, since he was elec-
ted to the command of the I'd Penn'a.,
Regiment at the city of Mexico. The
said John w. Geary procured his elec.
tion by a mere plurality of votes by
FALSEHOOD and DECEPTION
while he was promising to give Com
pany III the privilege of electing their
own officers, according to the laws of
the State of Pennsylvania, he, the said
Geary, bargained with others for votes,
promising and giving appointments in
said Company III, to men from other
companies who might answer his pc
culiar purposes. The law of Congress
of the 18th May, 1916, calling for Volun-
teers for the war with Mexico, has this
provision:
SEC.5.-Andbe be 1t further enacted that the
said Volunteers so offering their services
shall be accepted by the President, in
companies, battalions, squadrons and
regiments, whose officers shall be APP
pointed in the manner prescribed by
law in the several States and Territor-
les to which such companies, battalions
squadrons and regiments shall respec-
lively belong"
The said Geary, while he availed him
self of this law to get himself into a
high office, refused the same right to
Company H, which legally and proper
ly belonged to them. Therefore,
Resolued. That we the remaining men,
bers of the Fayette County Volunteers,
view the conduct of the said John w.
Geary towards Company H, as an
OUTRAGE upon their just rights, as
secured to them by the laws of Pennsyl.
vania as well as the laws of Congress
The whole course and conduct of the
said Geary being INCONSISTENT
WITH THE CHARACTER OF A
GENTLEMAN OR MAN OF HON
OR-it was treating us as set of mer
who could not appreciate them--it was
CORRUPT and MERCENARY in all
its bearings, characteristic of LOW
AND GROVELING CREATURE
hunting and seeking popularity fol
courage and patriotism THAT HI
NEVER EARNED, by bargaining
with supple tools and mercenaries, on,
of whom at least was a notorious black
leg.
| Resolretl, That the arrest and trial 0
1st Sergt. JOHN A. CUMMINGS, by {
Court Martial, for daring to assert hi,
rights and those of the Company, was
A BASE AND COWARDLY EXER
CISE OF USURPED AUTHORITY
ON THE PART OF THE SAIL
JOHN w. GEARY-after he, the sait
Geary, had SURREPTITIOUSLl
SUPPRESSED the order of the Adjt.
General of this State, ISSUED by direc
tion of Governor Shunk) directing hin
to fill all vacancies in the I'd Regimen
of Observation-Disclosures by election
taking advantage ofhisSTOLENauthor
ity to cover up his WORSE than BASE
MOTIVES, and TO injurc the hard earn
ed fame of brave and gallant officer.
On motion vf Peter A. Johns, it wa
Resolrea, That all the harm we wisl
Col. Geary is THAT HIS DISGRACE
MAY FOLLOW HIM THROUGH
ALL THE LANES AND AVENUE,
OF LIFE, AND THAT HE MAY
NEVER DIE OR GET OLD.