The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-02-28
VETERANS OF THE MEXICAN
WAR.
Sixth Annual Reunion of the First Ill
inois-Association.

Gen. M. S. Barnes, Il. I'd ILL.,, Galesburg.
Frederick Bulson, K. 5th ILL.,, Victoria.
J.IQ. A. Woodwork, K. I'd Ind, Macomb
Samuel Douglas, Capt. Stapp's Co., Mon
mouth.
Isaac Watson, H. lst U. S. Inf, Olena.
], ]. Worden, Capt. Stapp's Co., Youngs-
d. NJ. Stump. D, 18th U. s. Inf, Avon,
L. F. Ross Lieut., X. 4th ILL.,, Avon.
Eli Lyon, X. 4th ILL.,, Utica, Fulton Go.
G. r, Thompson, A. I'd Ind. Ellison.
N. Greusel, Capt Co, D. lst Mich, VOL,
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
S. W. Smith, B, 18th U. S. Inf, Mon
mouth.
T. II. Davidson, Capt. Stapp's Co., Mon
mouth.
After partaking of dinner the veterans
met at o'clock, and were called to order
by the president, General M. s, Barnes,
who made few appropriate remarks for
the occasion.
The secretary then made the following
report:
Mr.. President and Comrades: In pre-
senting you the record of the past year, l
do so with the feeling that all we could do
as an Association, in behalf of the old
veterans has been done, and that no OPP
portunity has been neglected to keep the
work before congress and the country, in
the enrolment OF survivors, and presenta-
ton of statistics from the highest official
sources. We do not feel any discourage
ment although the prospect in congress,
which promised so well for our comrades,
has not been realized, we still do not doubt
but that it will again revive and our bill
become law, so that the old veterans
may be lightened of many cares and
anxieties, as to their temporal wants.
One bill is understood to have passed,
granting three months extra pay to all those
who did not receive the same.-This APP
plies to those who first enlisted and were
discharged before the bill authorizing the
extra pay became law, and the soldiers
and widows Of such are entitled to this
extra bounty.
What disposition will be made Of our
bill now before Congress, we cannot at this
time conjecture, though our friends 10
Washington have strong hope of its passage
during the present session. 1t seems that
it could not be delayed much longer if it
is intended to be of any good to the aged
veterans,
1t has been said that government, to
maintain firm hold of the affections of
the people, and one for which in time of
trouble they will rally to defend, should
provide suitably for those who served it.,
when they are overtaken by old age and in-
frmities.
How many of the soldiers returned to
their homes sick and dying-how many
only survived 20 see the loved faces at
home, and passed on to the great camping
heid OF another life. They had performed
their duty faithfully on the field, and had
earned the plaudits of their countrymen,
and opened to intelligent labor and
science one of the richest and grandest en-
plres the world has known, With resour-
ces unlimited, the onward march of the
Union should be one grand hymn of pro
gress in everything which can make a
people prosperous and happy. The re-
suit was, the veterans builded better than
they knew, for the rocky hills and fertile
plains are crossed by the railway, and the
busy hum OF the factory, the pick of the
miner, the pillow of the farmer, and the
song OF the vine dresser are heard all ovel
what was then almost vast aud unknown
wilderness. With such a result, can ii b.
that the old veterans will be quietly passed
by without thanks or reward?
For gold the merchant ploughs the main,
The farmer pOughs the manor,
But glory l. tire soldiers prize,
The soldiers wealth IL honor.
The brave poor soldier meier despise
Nor count him AS a stranger;
Remember he's his country stay
Ia day and hour Of danger"
As to the number of survivors, there i
but little difference between the presen
and past estimates. We have not believed
that tn :re were 10000 living veterans 0
the Mexican war. and so based our estm
ate. Secretary Kenaday, OF the Nationa
Association, in his last annual report
says: The whole number of survivor
whose names and residences have bee
learned and grouped together by States
foot up about $3.50 . The aggregate O
members thus far enrolled is 1929, leav
ing only 1921 (of the 6,25O) yet to com
plete their claim TO empersbip by fu
statement OF their services" As will b
seen by reference to our record, there ar
many names to which there are neithe
company nor regiment. To correct this lt
every soldier who served IN any branch
the service, fill up the following blank, gi,
ing iull name as when enlisted:
Ny full name is.......... Post Oft
Address,. Age. o., Born at. 49,.
Serred an Co., Capt. ......., Regimr7
@.......r Commanded by........ E
listed ot..,., month of.... 1874 -, Di
charged at. ..., month of.... IS4 E, Il
ce5Ued tdnd lCaTrdnt for acres
A full compliance with this request
absolutely necessary to complete a title
membership and to whatever bounty Cor
gress may bestow.
In order to have a speaker at this NEE
ing 1t was suggested by the committee O
speaker, that the Secretary invite Generi
James Shields of CarrOllton, Missouri,
deliver an address, 10 reply the Gener
SAID, 1t would give him sincere pleasul
TO be with you on that day if nothing pr
vented"
Another letter was written to him a
CarrolltOn, expressing to him the salts
faction 1t give to his friends here by tt
prospect ot seeing and hearing one wi
was well known throughout the countr
10 the hrst OF the month another lettt
OF Inquiry was addressed TO him, and la
evening answer came from Boston, Mass
III which the general says; Since IL
letter to you, not hearing ANYTHING ful
ther from you, l gave the matter M"
he first letter was an invitation. II
second thanking him for accepting il, an
TWO to bin III Chicago in reference 10 O,
laDOrS 10 the cause. The last was one
inquiry, and the result.
The iuuds paid in at last meeting, So
aud the balance OF 81 in treasury, made
total OF $40 80 The expenditures we
for postage stamps, $685., printing b
1867, 81. printing bill 1878, S4, posta,
81 "a. express $l.l5. Total expenditure
$l3 IA.
Thanking you one and all for kindne
and fOrbearance in the past, and feelir
that have endeavored to do my dutv