The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-23
MEXICAN VETERANS MEET.
Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Re-
union of the Old Soldiers.
Resolutions of Respect to Dead Comrades
Memorial to Congress Asking for PEN
sicns-Ssgeant Premises Address.

The ninth annual reunion of the Mexican
Veteran Association of Indiana was held in
this city yesterday, the day being particularly
appropriate, insomuch as it was the thirty
seventh anniversary of the famous battle Of
Buena Vista, in which so many participated
The meeting was called to order at IL
o'clock yesterday morning in the Criminal
Courtroom by General NJ. D. Manson,
with about $50 in attendance, and, on motion of
Colonel Bringhurst, the following was adopted:
Resolved, That we hear with regret and sorrow of
the death of our late comrade, William T. Spieely, of
Orange county, who died on the 10th of this month,
and We tender his family our heartfelt sympathy in
their bereavement. We remember comrade Spicely as
genial commander, a heightened and honorable gen
Eeman, and a patriotic citizen. His services IN the
war with Mexico and in the war of the rebellion en-
title him to the grateful remembrance of his country
and his fellow-citizens; and with us, his comrades, his
memory viii be kept forever green
After the appointment of several committees
the veterans took a recess until afternoon.
A committee was appointed to prepare other
memorial resolutions. Colonel Rose, of Bloom
field, addressed the association on
the necessity of taking some action to get
Congress to pass a bill pensioning the Mexican
veterans, calling attention to the fact that the
old soldiers were generally considered wards of
the government, and suggesting that it was
about time to make a settlement of the guardian
ship. General Manson seconded the suggestion,
saying that it was an outrage that
the government had not pensioned
the veterans before this time, and at his sug-
gestion, a committee consisting of Colonel Rose,
Colonel Brin ghurst, Major Mulkey, of Bloom
ington, and Captain j. w. Dodd was appointed
to draw up resolutions expressing the sense of
the association on the subject.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the beginning of the afternoon session the
committee reported the following, which were
unanimously adopted;
'Whereas, Twenty-eight States Of the Union have
passed resolutions instructing their senator's and re-
questing their representatives in Congress to pension
the veterans of the Mexican war; and, whereas, not
withstanding the veterans are rapidly passing away,
while Congress still onits obeying the manifest will of
the people; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Mexican Veteran Association of In
diana, now in session, that we demand of our present
Congress TO Immediately pass a law pensioning said
veterans, as an act of justice already too long delayed.
Resolved, That we duly appreciate the long-con-
tinued efforts of our friends in Congress who have so
faithfully labored for us, and we regret the opposition
the bill for our relief is now receiving, and we re-
s~pectfully request that such opposition may at once
cease and a bill for orr benefit be passed at once.
"T. H. BRINGHURsT,
-. B. MULKEY,
John W. DODD,
sd. Z. ECKLEs."
The resolutions were discussed by Colonel
Rose, Major Mulkey and others, who considered
the benefits that the country had derived from
the Mexican war, and insisted that the veterans
of that conflict should be pensioned. Mr.. Mulkey
said that instead of cutting down the revenues,
the government should pay from the excess pen
sions to those old soldiers who so richly deserved
them.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hanna. who occupied a
seat by the president, spoke briefly and effect
lively on the resolutions. Acknowledgement Car
nahan also spoke briefly, and his remarks were
received with enthusiasm.
The memorial committee reported the follow
ing; ~, IT,, ia.
Whereas, Since our last meeting a number of our
comrades who met with us and participated in our de
ib~erations have answered to the last roll call; and,
Whereas, Colonel Ninevah Berry, q gallant soldier
of the Fourth Indiana regiment, Indiana Volunteers,
whose place in this association was always filed, and
.lo.o oao,1;,1 o,aa+;,r ,c II raD,nrobar 70 amor 4ba
number; therefore be it
Resolved, That in the death of our esteemed com
,rade this association loses one of its most efficient
members, the State one of her true and faithful citi-
zens, and the nation a brave defender.
RESOLVED, That the association viii place the name
of Ninevah Berry on the roll Of our honored dead com
rades, and that we hereby express our sympathy to
y. b.. MULKEY,
"T. II. B-RINGHURsT.'
Resolutions of thanks were adopted to Hon.
Pierce Norton for the use of the courtroom and
to the press. The question of having a banquet
at the next annual meeting was discussed and
generally favored. The old officers were re-
elected. Last night the association listened to
an interesting address by J. W. Gordon on Re
suits of the Mexican War" and the reading of
Sergeant S. Premises famous address to General
Taylor, by Hon. B. W. Hanna.