The National tribune., 1883-10-25
REUNIONS.
Reunion Of the Illinois syx-Prisoners Of War
Assneiaifnn


The eleventh annual Reunion of the Illinois
State Association of Union ex-Prisoners Of War
was held at Decatur, H., October 18th and 18th.
Among the large number OF distinguished per-
sons present were Governor Hamilton and the
officers of the State; Ex-Governor Oglesby,
Colonel J. H. Rowell Congressman from the
Bloomington district; General Payey, General
Mather, aud host of others.
The meeting at the Tabernacle was crowded.
President Lowdermilk opened the exercises in
a pleasant address of welcome Hon. w. E.
Neison on behalf of the mayor, extended the
eity's greetings and was followed by Governor
Hamilton, who, in the course of his remarks,
proclaimed himself III favor OF a pension to
those who suffered the ill-treatment OF South
ern prisons. He was followed by General G.
w. Payey, DIR John MeElroy, author of His
tory of Andersonville,' and Captain Z. 2.
Roberts.
In the evening there was large meeting of
not only veterans, but also citizens. The first
speaker was ex- Governor 0glesby, known to all
the Illinois boys as g Dick Oglesby." Hespolze
of the great sufferings endured by the prison
ers, wildly depicting the scenes they under
went and the punishment inflicted upon them.
He said that these meetings of the ex-prisoners
were honorable and praiseworthy; and in con-
elusion exhorted the survivors TO live as long
as they could; that having done WELL the
American people would do the fair thing by
them. The general declared that if the ques-
tion was submitted to the people, every one
would vote pension to every veteran, whether
disabled or not
Congressman Rowell then made an address,
in which he eloquently preferred TO the terrible
suffering5 and sacrifices of those soldiers who
were prisoners.
On Thursday, the 18th, the association passed
unanimously q resolution urging the passage
of the Robinson bin peusioning prisoners of
war.
Gen. c. w. Pavey, of Jefferson; Capt. W. W.
Lowderrnilk, OF SangaIaon; Capt. ]. III. Pike
of Mclean; G. G. George, of Christian, and
James A. Miller With II. G. Pace, w L. Gard
Her, e. FL. Miner, George 4. Wilson and DIR. c.
Z. Dempsey. as alternates. were appointed dele
gates to the National Convention.
An exceedingly interesting experience meet
ing then followed, during " which addresses were
Hlafie by Comrades Coates StHckey and others
All the old officers were reelected. CoRlrade
LOOMS presented resolutions indoFsing the
administration and rulings of Hon. w. W.
Dudley, Commissioner of Pensions Conrade
Pike, of Mclean. opposed the resolutions. He
said he would never vote for the resolutions as
| long as q rebel cepperhead held a commission
from Commissioner Dudley to ferret ont fraud
| ulent pensioners in Mclean county. Comrade
Wilson moved to table the resolutions which
was promptly carried. 1t was then decided 60
hold the next meeting Of the association at
Springfield, the time TO be hereafter fixed and
the meeting then adjourned. In the evening
grand banquet was participated in by the
association and their guests at the St. Nicholas
! hotel. During the Reunion 235 ex-prisoners
registered their names at the headquarters.