Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-01-21
WASHINGTON.
THE MEXICAN VETERANS.
They Call Upon the President at the
White House.
WAsHINGToN,sJan. 16.

White House.
WASHINGTON Jan. 16.
Tue convention of Mexican war veter-
ans, at their meeting this morning, passed
a resolution that the convention, upon its
adjournment to-day will forward, under
the direction of the presiding officer, to
the Executive Mansion, for the purpose of
presenting their respects and congratula.
tons to their illustrious commander and
friend the President of the United States,
that they inform him of the measures
they propose, and invite him to partici-
pate in the reunion and the deliberations
of the convention. The committee ap-
pointed to ascertain at what hour the Pres
ident would receive the convention COM
mittee was appointed to draft a constitu-
tion and bylaws for'the brotherhood, and
another committee to prepare memorial
to Congress. A resolution was adopted
requesting the War Department to fur
nish to the convention for preservation,
copies of the muster rolls of those who
took part in the Mexican war. The con-
vention then proceeded in body, to the
Metropolitan Methodist Church, where
Gen. j. S. Negly, of Pennsylvania, deiIT-
cred an address. a poem was recited by
Gen. Albert Pike. There were other eX-
ercises, intersperscd with music by the
Marine band, and the band from Fort Nc.
Henry.
General Albert Pike delivered an origi-
nal poem and recited his battle of Buena
Vista before the Mexican veterans to-day.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 1.-THE
Mexican Veterans at their meeting this
morning agreed upon memorial to Con
gress, asking pensions for those who
were engaged in that war or their surViv
ing widows and children, in accordance
with previous arrangements. The Con-
vention in body, proceeded, to the Exec
utivc Mansion and arranged themselves
in line in the east room where the Presi-
dent entered, and was received by eXGov-
ernor Herbert, of Louisiana, who, as Mar
shal of the Convention, said the Conven-
ton were glad to recognize in him an old
companion-in>arms in the glorious aud
victorious battles in Mexico. The Presi-
dent bowed his thanks in reply, and then
accompanied by Gen. Denver, the Presi
dent of the Convention, passed from one
veteran to another, shaking hands.
Numerous Incidents.
Among the incidents were the follow
ing a.: Colonel Ruddach, Of Maryland,
asked permission, which was granted, to
pin on the Presidents coat the rosette, the
badge of that State. Gen. Cadwalader, of
Pennsylvania, presented to thePresident in
few humorous remarks an old colored
man named Benjamin johnson, who dur
ing the Mexican war, served as General
Scotts cook. One of Grants classmates at
West Point made known the fact to him
and brief but pleasant conversation fol-
lowed. Among the spectators were Gen.
Sherman, Senator Fenton and number of
ladies. The President and members of the
Convention seemed to be much gratified
with the meeting. The convention then
returned to their hall to resume business.
President Grant was q Lieutenant and
regimental quartermaster of the United
States Fourth Infantry during the war.
Upon the return of the Mexican war
veterans to their hall, the President called
their attention to a beautiful vase which
had been placed upon a center table in
front of the platform, and which came
from South Carolina. He asked the Con-
vention to receive it standing. He then
called upon Judge Mackey, of South Car
olina, to give its history. The vase stands
upon a square base of about ten or twelve
inches and three inches in height, resting
upon eagles' claws, all Of solid silver and
beautifully chased in frost work, repre-
senting the charge and repulse at New
Orleans. This vase was purchased solely
by the ladies of South Carolina, two thou
sand subscribing for that purpose, and
bore the following inscription on the
front: Presented by the ladies of South
CaI oliua to Major General Andrew jack
son, January Sth, 1875" The Inscriptions
on the adverse were the coat of arms Of
South Carolina with a motto on both sides
in full Presented by General Andrew
Jackson to Captain w. b. Stanley, in trust
for the last survivor of the Palmetto Reg
iment."
Judge Macley said the vase was present.
ed to General jackson by the ladies of the
Thirty-ninth Congressional District of
South Carolina ut the close of the war of
1912. General Jackson bequeathed it to
the State TO be given to the man who in
the next foreign war should be entitled to
it by acts of alor wand gallantry. 1t was
decided after the last war that no one man
should be selected to hold it and it was pre-
sented to w. &. Stanly, to hold in trust for
the last survivor of the Palmetto Regiment.
A resolution was adopted asking Con-
gress to remove the disabilities of those
who took part in the Mexican war, but
who engaged in the late civil war, from
receiving pensions.
Judge Mackey then reported 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
officers the mode of management, and for
an annual meeting in Washington on the
22d day of February, that being one of the
days upon which the battle OF BuenA Wis
Ia was fought, as we'll as being the birth
day of Washington.
DR.. Todd, of Ohio, offered O resolution
rendering the thanks Of the convention TO
DR.. Tiffany and the authorities OF the
Metropolitan church for the :favors eX-
tended to them in the use of the church
II Il I'll