Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-01-22
The Veterans of the Mexican War in
Council.

Council.
/ The surviving veterans OF tie Mexican
war held grand Reunion in Washington
last week, with view to organize ma
tional brotherhood of the survivors and
make preparations for a general participa-
ton of the same in the Centennial Celebra-
ton at Philadelphia July i 1876. One
other object was to take steps for a general
petition to Congress asking that pensions
be granted to all soldiers O. the Mexican
war. The veterans had very successful
and enjoyable gathering, continuing
through three days and closing on Satur-
day. At their meeting on Saturday, they
agreed upon memorial to Congress, ask
ing pensions for those who were engaged
in that war or their surviving widows and
children.
They also called in body on President
Grant and were cordially received and en-
tertained, On their return to their hall
resolution was adopted asking Congress to
remove the disabilities of those who took
part in the Mexican war, but who were
engaged in the late civil war, from receiv.
ing pensions.
The convention then adopted constitu-
ton and bylaws for the government of the
permanent association, to be known as the
National Association of Veterans of the
Mexican War, and providing for its Off
GERS, mode of management, and for an an
nual meeting in Washington on the 22d
day of February, that being one of the
days upon which the battle of Buena Vista
was fought us we'll as being The birthday
of Washington.
The permanent organization was effected
by the election of president, one vice
president or counselor from each state and
territory, five secretaries and a treasurer.
Among the many pleasant incidents of
the Reunion was one which will be inter
csting to Vermonters, and especially 50 to
many in this immediate vicinity. This
was the reception by these veterans of Il
beautiful laurel sword, a floral Offering
/ from the widow of Major +. A. klmball,
who served in the Mexican war, and fell
at an early stage in the war OF the rebel
| lion Mrs kimball was formerly Miss
| Mclean of Cabot The letter accompany
ing the sword was read by the chairman
of the convention Thursday forenoon 1t
was couched in delcately charming words
as follows:
General j. ". Demrer:
DEAR SIR: Please accept for yourself and broth
er officers of this convention this laurel sworu an
nensoridm of the brave comrades OF 46 anu ~
whose hasds can never more grasp yours III wei
come greeting.
With memories that awaken the proudest, sad
dest, truest sympathy for this reunion,
AM "''S' Mrs. <, A. KIMBALL.
Mrs. kimball also presented to the con
american Star, a newspaper published by
- the boys in blue - in the city of Mexico
after its surrender to our forces. The
veterans were highly gratitied by these
tokens of remembrance and thoughtful-
ness. and showed their appreciation by 4
hearty vote of thanks to the donor.
THE GRANGE QUESTION. The Farmers
and Mechanics Club of Brandon is contin-
uing its discussion of the oranges, and a
decided difference of opinion is developed
among the members.
At the last meeting Col. Merritt thought
the farmers ought to be let alone to try the
benefits of the new organization. Prof
Cillev claimed that the associations should
be of the character of the Farmers Club,
and did not see why prominent politician;
were becoming members of the Oranges
5. w. Harrison said politicians We're lead
ING the farmers on and that while the far
mers talked of putting down monopoly
they were really forming one. Mr.. Girls
void thought the same, and said the
F oranges in Vermont-except it may be il
Brandon-were controlled by a set of pro
fessional politicians, whose object it was t'
break down the Republican party,-tht
great party of progress and reform.
He predicted the collapse of the whole
thing like the farmers stores, and inStancet
Il wool depot where the farmers agent de
camped with 100000
NJ. p June said manufactures indeed
were benefit to farmers, but he though
it time for farmers to try to benefit them
selves. Didn't know but railroads wer,
carrying as cheap as they could. anC
: thought high tariffs were a benefit to Yer
mont farmers, because they could get
better price for their corn .ICouldn't see tina
the grange vas political organization ;
no doubt politicians would try to contro
it, but thought good would come from it
Prof Cillev said railroads were friends
ofthe farmer and real benefit to Vernon
and that manufactures were the salvation
of Brandon. Let the manufactures de
cline and the railroads stop and whcr,
would the farmer be- and how much NOR,
would YOU ask for your farms than now
f He thought the farmer the most comforta
, blv situated of any class of men. but it wa
, in mans nature to be always dissatisfied
, with his condition and forever wishin:
himself in his neighbor's position.
Mr. S b. June said it looked singula
+ to him, if the railroads were bankrupt in
situations that there are SO many ricl
t and prominent men who wish to contro
, them. lie was Nermonter and glad f
, hear that they did not need any regulation
, but the people of Indiana, thought the dew
was in them. This cry of sore-heads an
z turning the world upside down was oil
G and played out He thought there was n
= force in the complaint uttered so often
, that the society was u secret one.
Mr.. Sherman thought the association
O would benefit farmers socially and morally