The National tribune., 1883-12-20
ILLINOIS.

At the last meeting of Williams Post, No %,
Department Of Illinois, the following resolu-
tions were presented. They were enthusiast
tically Endorsed by the comrades, who could
not resist the opportunity to give expression
of their hearty approval Stirring speeches
were made by Comrades Butzow, Harrington
South, Gilbert, Peters, Price and Whitehall
who were Justify appiauded. The resolutions
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas at the close OF the late war now a gen
Grafton since, the soldiers Of the Union returned
their homes 10 enjoy the peace which their yai0r
had won, thousands OF them bearing wounds, some
broken IN health and ineapactated for the main
tanance of themselves and families; while thou
sands OF those whose wounds were most severe
and others whose vitalities were nearly ex-
hausted as TO render recuperation impossible, have
Since 5olhec tner contracts On the eternal camp
ing ground. The existing pension laws have, to
some extent, met their necessities and rendered
life endurable but Time in its unceasing march is
bearing heavily upon the yitaiitieS of those who
still remain The soldier of 6j is to-day a gray
haired veteran, and they who maintained the
honor OF our country by their fidelity and courage
upon bloody fields, by their almost endless
marches under burning suns by day or through
peling storms by night. who laid anew the ounda-
tions of our Government secured permanent
peace, national prosperity and gave eternal honor
to the flag. There are many already in their de-
clnng years and despite the fact that the fullest
vigor of their manhood was given to their cogn-
try's service, are beginning TO be viewed as a
tional burden; civil honoTs which were theirs by
right rarely or reluctantly accorded, save to
the few whom the bayonets OF the common soldier
had raised to fame.
And whereas thousands of the Nations defenders
are to-day clothed in rags and haggard by want
yet the stringency of the pension laws debar the
recognition oftheir claims. Therefore, be it
Resolred, BY Williams Post, No. 25 G.. A. r., De-
partment OF Illinois, that our Senators and orr
Representative in Congress, the Hon. T.. e Payson
be requested TO use their utmost endeavors TO Sc
cure such legislation will insure just recognition
of the claims of the soldier who gave his all in the
hour of the Nations peril, and to that end so
change the pension laws as to give every surviving
enlisted man IS per month the balance of his life
to re-enact the law touching the arrearages of pen
sion and to make good the deficiency in the pay of
the army III the time of war.
Res0tced, That the foregoing are but acts OF sim
pie Justice and that nothing will satisfy the de-
mands of the veterans OF the volunteer army but
fair u5t and equitable recognition OF their rights
l5esosped, That we most heartily indorse the course
of Senator John A. Logan and Senator j. j. Ingalls,
in their efforts to secure justice to the soldier; and
also to the Lower House of Congress in giving
preference to wounded soldiers in filing official
positions.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be
forwarded by the Adjutant to our Senators and
Representative IN Congress. and that we request
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE at Washington. ID. g.,
the Watseka Republican, the Iroquois County
Times, and Sheldon Rereiue to publish these resolu
tons.
J. ". Dodd Post, No $40, was mustered at
Auburn, ILL.,, on the 18th inst. with twenty
seven charter members. The following are the
officers for the ensuing year: Commander, L.
III. Easiey; S. Y. c., James Irwin; J. V. G., A.
NJ Gordon; Adj't, W. W. Lowdermilk Surg,
DR.. Chas. Kerr, of Pawnee Chap Rev. Wiley
Knowles; @. NJ, w. H. Hummell; O. D., Geo.
Sinniger; Q. G., T. M. Barbee.
Comrade Alex. L. Whitehall, Watseka, H.,
sends us the following list of officers recently
elected by Williams Post, No. 25, of that
place: Commander, Alexander l.. Whitehall ;
S. v. c., B. F. Price j. " c., Chas. w Smith !;
Surgeon, DR.. d. l.. Jewett; Chaplain, c. c.
Gilbert; o. D., T. S. Arnold @. H., Henry A.
Butzow; Adjutant, A. D. Harrison, and o. g.,
Ben. r. South.
Comrade G.. s. Upstone, Nokomis, H., in
forms US that Cottingham Post, No. 232, Of