National Republican., 1880-08-14
Thn rInElcnn NeIernna.

10 the Editor of The National Republican:
SIR: On July 3, 1850, four or five members
Of the local association OF tho veterans of the
Mexican war of this city met aud adopted
resolutions pledging this association, aud
recommending like action on the part Of other
associations n tho country, 10 support Han
cock aud English for president and vice. .pres-
dent Of the United States.
Again, at the regular meeting, August Z,
further resolutions, Of more malignant kind,
rejecting upon the character of prominent
men in congress and urging the members of
our organization throughout tho country TO
take an active part in the presidential con.
test as associations for the election Of Han
cock, were adopted
We, the undersigned, members Of this asso.
tion, make this statement, that the country
may understand that these proceedings were
without our approval, for the reason that
our organization is not political and that the
preamble of tho constitution expressly says
that there shall be no sectional or seCtaIiau
question entertained in this association" On
the principle above quoted the association has
worked harmouiously for the past ten years.
During that time members have met from all
parts of the country, representing all shades
Of political opinions. Tho most ardent nd-
mirers OF tho "lost cause us well as the most
radical abolilionisls, bave met aud taken part
Ill OUT meetings, Ndihth ONtT JuC lUClltutS OF
tho Mexican war and enjoyed the society of
each other.
The introduction Of party politics in our
Judgment is not only in violation of the spirit
of our organization, but calculated 30 seriously
impair the prospects OF Coating our very just
recognition Mt the hands OF congress IN grant.
ing pensions TO the survivors
We therefore urge upon all tho members Of
tho associations throughout the country not
10 l,u a,,ttn tnpg pf tlp fa ~ bn N, tliu4
sowing discord in tho hitherto harmonious
meetings of our organic ,tion.
After tho appeal made by the minority to
the majority at tho meeting of August 7, show
ing the effect of such unwarrautel action by
but few members, lod by the secretary. A.
NJ Kenaday, IL such action is persisted in it
will become our duty TO withdraw from tho
local association. We thereIOro appeal tn the
membership throughout the couutry to rebuko
this attempt to destroy the harmony aud good
feeling heretofore existing In the association
by refusing to bo diverted from the course wo
have hitherto pursued, and thereby show TO
the world that men who have fought together
can live in harmony.
In tho Washington Post of August appears
tho following, which shows the object OF the
few meu referred to is TO turn over the assO.
Citations of tho Mexican war to the democratic
party:
The regular monthly meeting Of the Associated
Veterans, 1916 was held last Saturday evening
In tho absence Of tho president NJ. d. Months was
called TO the chair. A resolution WAS adopted de-
claTng that while the association was not organ
lied for POLITICAL purposes, yet 1t was deemed
proper to recommend N tho votes Of soldiers the
friends of their interest IN proeronCet 70 the friends
OF their open and aNOwcd enemies, Further, that
the republican leaders in both houses Of congress,
followed by the rank and tllo of their pGrty-with
two or three honorable eEceptiuns-haYe sought 10
degrade the soldiers In their old age to tho level OF
paupCrs.
The above is somewhat modified In temper
from tho resolution introduced by Mr.. KsnR.
day and passed by q vote Of four for it aud
two against it, We therefore mako this our
protest against any such action, as there are
many IN tho association who prefer the cleo
tion of that scholar, statesman and soldier,
James A. Garfield, though we would not under
any circumstances permit tho matter to be
brought into the association.
[Sisned i NJ. d. Months president last meet.
ing), A. II, French (maBhal assocation),
Thomas T. Pcndol, y. l. ri, John IL. Thomp.
son, J. L. Mollercanl $. n. loyt.