The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-28
THE UNION VETERAN ARMY.
It's Members Think the Soldiers Should Have
Recognition from the Government

The Union Veteran Army met last night at
the courthouse to organize and make prepare
tons for grand State reunion to be held in this
city some time during next August Captain
Joseph r. Perry was chosen chairman of the
meeting.
General Helms, a member of the present Legis-
lature, and the commander of the Indiana De-
partment of the Union Veteran Army, was in
troduced, and stated that this department of the
organization had been in the past very
loosely managed, as Gen. George N. Tibble, the
ommander-in-chief, had sent numerous pack
ages to this State which were not accounted for;
Sut that the future was bright and that the
revival of interest in the soldier would have
good effect upon the organization. The General
said that the Union Veteran Army is to the g.
A. r. what the cavalry was to the infantry in
the late war; 1--WE want to demand" he pro
ceeded, 1.-THE rights due the soldier from both the
Legislature and Congress. Ours is a political
organization, but not partisan one. We think
the offices of the government should be gwen
rather to the soldier than toany one else. New
York has seven members in Congress belonging
to the U. V. A, and we want the same kind of
justice extended to the Indiana veterans
Comrade r. B. Sears, also representative in
the present Legislature, said that he always
voted for the honorably discharged soldier who
did his duty in the late war, before all others,
and that this spirit of mutual helpfulness was
the object of the organization
Major Mosier. Of the House of Representa-
tives, said that the u V. A. would not interfere
with the G. A. r. He thought that the soldier
needed just such a political organization as the
W A tn fhao
observed the Major, 1--WE should help to guide its
destiny. We should have voice in the man
agement of governmental affairs The soldier
should be preferred in Office to all others. This
organization is auxiliary to the G. A. r., and
supplements its shortcomings"
Major Crary said that the G. A. r. does not go
far enough in one direction, namely, politics;
and that the Union Veteran Army supplied that
deficiency. THE soldier he said, should de-
mand Office in the country which he saved
from ruin by his deeds of vaor and patriotism"
General Streight said that there should be
distinction drawn between the men who fought
to save the Union and those who fought to de-
stroy it. sThe man who fought on the other
side" said the General should first conclude
that he was wrong Before We extend
of Union Veteran Army that shall
be one indeed Iwould forgive all of my enemies
even jeff Davis if he prayed long enough, but l
am afraid that in his case the Lord would have
to extend time into eternity
In the next national administration the men
who fought against the Union will have the
strongest hand on the government, and this fact
makes the U. V. A. a much-needed organiza-
ton. The Offices of the country should not be
considered safe in the hands Of men who think
they did right when they bore arms against the
Union. l believe the disposition of the
South is such to-day as will yet give
US trouble. The U. V. A. wants to be a safe
guard to the Nation as we'll as an organization
for the benefit of the soldier of the late war"
Commander Helms said that as soon as the
Legislature adjourned he would begin the work
OF organizing departments of the order through
out the State. After the making up of the mus
ter rolls the meeting adjourned.