New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-20
The Movement of Mexican War Veterans.

Ine movement OF Mexican War veterans.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
An editorial paragraph in your issue of
yesterday. commences a follows:
Can anybody explain what the veterans
OF the Mexican war mean by advertising
themselves so extensively. Congress has,
we believe. voted small sum to such as
can prove their identity and Claims etc.
With your permission. will endeavor to
explain to your readers something OF the
origin and progress Of this movement
among the surviving soldiers and sailors of
that memorable war, which is now attract
ing considerable interest and attention in
New Orleans.
In 1857, after The close Of the war, . be-
nevolent and social organization, composed
of surviving veterans of Mexico. vas
formed in San Francisco, where resided
many of the old officers and soldiers, W Tho had
emigrated to the Golden State, Immediately
after the close of the war, and many of
whom had ashieved fortune as citizens, as
we'll az fame and influence with their fellow
men as soldiers. During the late war these
gentlemen were divided in sentiment on the
great political question of the day land if
any set of men had right to their opinions,
they had certainly earned it), but with the
cessation of hostilities like sensible beings
they seized the first opportunity to ''make
a funeral OF the dead past. This humble
organization, above referred to, afforded all
chance to ''shake hands across the bloody
chasm, and when the organizing committee
called the enrolled members together TOR
the purpose Of electing offices, the assem-
blage presented a molly appearance, from
politica! point of view. Major General
Halleck and other distinguished Unionists
found themselves in the same corral with
Colonel Jack Hays Major Dick Hammond,
and many other eminent men who had,
during the war, entertained opposite opin-
ions. But harmony prevailed, and the
officers were selected without refereAce to
their previous political opinions, and on the
fourteenth Of September, the anniversary
the capture Of Mexico. the occasion was
commemorated by banquet and . good
time generally.
Efforts were soon after made on this side
of the continent to organize similar associa-
tons, but they were not generally success
ful near the scene of recent hostilities, and
those who had the movement at heart pur-
sued policy of mastery inactivity until
time and reflection should heal the wounds
of those whose cooperation in the move
ment was desirable.
Last sp1ing, the Pittsburs Scott Legion
presented a petition to Congress, through
their representative, General Negley, ask
ing for . pension to the survivors Of the
Mexican war. 1t was referred to com.
mittee. but no action was taken prior to the
close of the Forty second Congress.
When preparations were being made in
Washington City for the inaugural ceremo-
nies of General Grant, last March, call
was published for all Mexican war veterans
who desired to join in the procession to
meet and adopt the necessary arrange
ments. At that meeting the subject Of the
Pittsburg petition was discussed. A COM
mittee was appointed to prepare an address
and effect a permanent organization. An
association was accordingly organized, on
the basis Of the San Francisco society.
Ex- Governor Denver was elected president,
and among the officers we find the names of
Albert Pike, of Arkansas; Judge j. J. Mar
tin, of Alabama (Auditor Of the Treasury
for the Postotfice Department.; General ID.
H. Cooper twho commanded a company in
JEFF Davis Rifles in Mexico), etc.
1os
passed by the Washington association in
viting all kindred societies throughout the |
country to send delegates to national con- |
to be held in that city on the fif- |
teenth OF January next, to prepare a joint |
to Congress for an amendment to |
the law granting pensions to the survivors |
Of 1872, which shall include in it's provisions !
the survivors Of the Mexican war. The |
will also probably adopt meas
lres looking to national brotherhood of |
The survivors.
The correspondent. secretary Of the Wash.
ngton association was instructed to ven
;ilate this proposition in all directions. and
through the merits of the cause and the
courtesy Of the press, the proposition met |
With great favor i'll all sections of the coun.
vv. Societies are now in state of flour
shing existence at San Francisco. Sacra-
nento. Santa Barbara. California; Virginia
citv. Reno and Eureka, Nevada: st.
Ieui.. Louisville, Cincinnati. Pittsburg,
Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore. Washing
on, Boston. Charlestown, West Virginia;
Jackson, Tennessee: in the southern cOun-
les of Mississippi, and New Orleans, and
ew societies are constantly springing up
nd wheeling into line responsive to the
ow timely call.
The character Of the gentlemen a. the
lead of your local organization, Mr.. EditaA
guarantee that no mercenary motive
nderlies their action, as might be inferred
rom the tone OF the paragraph in yeste1-
ay's REPUBLICAN, referred to in the begin
ing of this article. and the writer of this,
OF being a resident of New Orleans at this
me, merely desires to comply with your
,vitation for somebody to explain what
le veterans of the Mexican war mean by
dyertising themselve. 50 extensively"
hey mean fraternity. A.M IL.
Broke Jail.
A letter from the sheriff of Lafourche
arish informs the Governor that W. II.