The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-02-02
THE MEXICAN WAR VETERANS.
The Neglected Heroes Who Fought
For the Magnificent Territory
Of the South West.

veterans. has issued the following
appeal in reference TO the Nashville
meeting next September:
At the last meeting of the Ma
tional Association of Mexican war
veterans, held in Cincinnati the
l4th Of September, 1881, upon the
urgent solicitation of your Tennes-
see represent atives, il was unsni
mously decided TO hold its next en-
niversary session Sept. IA, 1882, at
the city OF Nashville, Tennessee.
Although il is many months in ad
vance of the time, We deem it mat
Ter of special Importance to tn ke
steps ut this time and onward, to
make the meeting here one of spe-
cial interest to all concerned.
Never was there seen in line a
more venerable and respectable
body OF old soldiers than was as
sembled in the city of Cincinnati
last September. There met and
fraternized several hundred of those
brave and patriotic men, To whose
labors the present generation are In
debted for the almost fabulous en-
Lerprise and expansion OF individu-
al, state and national prosperity =,
consequent upon the treaty of Quad
al9pe Hidalgo, in 1S4S, that settled
forever the CLAIMS OF Mexico to the
great state of Texas, to New Mexi-
CO, Arizona and California. Be
hold the growth Of Texas! Look
at San Francisco, the great city OF
the west, connected now with all the
Atlantic ports oy the great trans
continental railroads, and reflect
that while We wore climbing the
Cordilleras in Mexico, the place on
which it stands was a barren strip
of sand on which a few poems or
half savage shepherds were guiding
the focks of the Catholic mission
near by. What a change! How
mighty the events that fill the
chasp of thirty Two years! You
Mexican veterans opened up all
this by your tolls and valor; and
yet, as if to furnish the example to
that old adage that Republics are
ungratetul," you are to day without
political friends; in vain have you
petitioned and begged for recogni
lion by that congress, which, while
it denied you, did not hesitate to
plumber the national treasury by a
vote, without investigation or de-
bate, both parties eagerly striving
to outbid the other for the votes Of
the soldiers of the late civil war,
and with so little regard to other
than their interests that they gave
away $300.000,0 600 indiscriminately,
to the great scandal of the true pub
lie dgty. to provide for brave and
honest soldiers, who have main
tanned the integrity and honor of
the republic. Ye be but few, the
other many.
1t is justly disheartening to at
tempt now to move congress in our
behalf, but let us unitedly strive
for justice TO our poor, aged. and
suffering comrades; let US knock at
the door of congress; let Us make
them ashamed TO deny a pension to
the gallant soldiers of Scott and
Taylor, while thousands Of coward
ly bummers and negro transfers
for many years haYe been the
favored pets of the pension roll
Let no man suppose we for an in
slant grudge the national favor to
disabled and wounded soldier, of
the union. We do recognize that
the union to-day exists by and
through their heroic tolls. But if
to them its safety, to us belongs
the greatness of the union.
You will pardon US, comrades
and citizens, who read this paper.
We want to call your attention to
the Mexican veterans. We want all
veterans who Gan to come to Nash
vile from all parts of Tennessee, to
do all they can to get here. We
earnestly invite our brethren of
every southern and western state to
be here to meet those fine, big
hearted fellows who welcomed
us at Cincinnati. for they have
promised, Dec Holents. to be here
next Septemher. They want to
see our country, our capital city.
What they have heard of US they
wish to witness with their eyes, and
they propose to bring some of thei=
wives, and daughters, and sons. 1t
Is, therefore, our care and duty to
see that suitable means are taken
to make this visit memorable for It's
hospitaole reception Of men entitled
to honor. Difference and venerstion
by good citizens throughout the
land.
We will need the aid OF the city
council ought TO have that OF the
legislature, and we turn to our pub
lie spirited citizens who have means
and who take pride in our beauti
tut and renowned city, to give these
veterans a warm, hearty and suit
able reception to the capital of the
Volunteer State. We speak direct
ly TO such men and ask TO aid us
while rejecting honor upon them
selves. We dared confident y to
invite the association To come To
Nashville, and did not hesitate to
pledge beforehand that enthusiss-
tic welcome that pours with resist
less energy from the hearts OF such
men as Tennessee has so often
proved that she possesses.
Let US hear from you from all
parts of the state, and comrades of
the south, everywhere, let US hear
if you will come 10 meet us. Our
anniversaries are limited to a very
few years; let US improve the little
left to us; our "drill'' hours are
over, and soon the grim orderly.
Death, will sound taps" to the last
of us. Your brother and servant,
THos. CLAIBORNE, Pres't.
WI ~.