The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-26
Ex-PRIsoNERs OF WAR.
Action BY the Veterans at the Buffalo xestIu

EA-FfNlSONE Ef1S OF EAhs
Action by the Veterans at the Buffalo Meeting.
At the annual Convention Of Ex-Prisoners of
War; held last week at Buffalo, the Committee
on Resolutions submitted the following, which
were adopted:
Resoired That this association accepts n meas
ure Of substantial though tardy justice 10 their COM
rRdes the bill reported from the Invalid Pension
Committee of the National House of Representa-
tiyes by sir. Morrill,, Of Kansas, known As House
bill No. S093
Resolved That a committee Of FIVE to be ap-
pointed by the President of this Convention be
thorized to investigate the preseAt pension laws,
with view to their amendment in the interests Of
all disabled Union soldiers and sailors, and that
said committee be authorized to confer with the
Pension Committee of the Grand Army of the Re-
pubic upon all questions requiring cooperation.
ReSotrsd, That il Is the duty of local and State
organizations to report the names and pOst-office
addresses of every prisoner residing within their
Jurisdictions to the Secretary OF the National Asso
ciation, to the end that our numbers may be ascer
tanned and our claims more effectively urged upon
Congress.
ResOlred, That II Is the duty of every ex-prsoner
OF war To connect himself at once with the nearest
local organization OF his comrades. and also. in
person by letter, solicit the support Of his Repre-
sentative in Congress for House bill No SO9s afore-
SAID and to accept no further excuses delays in
this matter,
Resolred That the thanks Of every comrade are
due To the retiring officers of this body for their
eihcent administration Of the duties Of their re-
spective stations
return their heartfelt thanks to the comrades press
and people Of Buffalo for the warmth of their greet
ing and the courtesy aud hospitality of which they
have been the recipients.
Resolved, That u copy of these resolutions to-
gether with the proceedings of this Convention
and the annual reports of its officers be forwarded
TO HE NATIONAL TRIBUNE Mt Washington, ID. c.,
for publication.
The following address to the people Of the
United States was adopted:
To UIe People the United States:
The National Association Of ex-Unon Prisoners
Oh var. IN session AT Buffalo, n. Y, challenge your
recollection and accuse yosr gratitude in behalf of
their late comrades and bretheren the survivors of
worid-wept Andersonvilie. Salisbury and Libby.
But IL Is not Tor the purpose of kindng anew the
animosltles OF a civil war that recall the
story OF its martyrs and their wrongs. Too long
nave they been used rs stalking horse to conceal
the selfish designs OF aspiring politicians who have
enriched themselves and their clients by legislation
that made the rich richer and the poor poorer,
while the broken men who stood in the breach at
Andersonville and kept 10000 Confederates out of
the field have been left to perish from diseases
gendered by starvation, exposure and neglect.
twenty y-one years have elapsed since the last
Southern prison hell disclosed its horrible secrets
aud It's few skeleton survivors to the gaze Of an
indignant but synipathzins world, and it will
scarcely De oelieyed that Congress. though con-
stantly implored for Justice has as constantly re-
fused To even consider any measure of relief for the
victims oi the only policy by which the Confederaey
could have been conquered. The most ptiful tech
nlcstiities have been allowed TO debar comrades
from the pension rolls, where they might have OBJ
thlnou some small recOInDense Tor their hardShlpS
ana sulerings, and these heroes have been forced
to seek the shelter of almshouses or the bitter
repOse OF a pauper's grave.
The National Association of ex-Union Prisoners
of War, charged with the duty of representing
these unfortunate men before the country, there
lore appeal from Congress to the people for that
recognition, pecunary recompense and justice that
their services and sufferings amply merit and
deserve. We ask you to urge your Representatives
IN Congress, through the press and by private So
citatIon, the duty of passing the measure reported
To the House by Mr. Morrill,, of Kansas, which
places ex-prIsoners Of upon the pension rolls
at rates corresponding with their present dsabli-
ties, and gives To each and every survivor S2 per
diem Tor each day of his captivity. This measure,
fraught with ali that - generous and Just in the
American character. IS In our opinion but the sim
pie need due to that heroic band of patriotic men
who, prefeTring death before dishonor, remained
faithful to the flag of freedom resisting the blan-
dishmens of Confederate recruiting officers on the
one hand and almost certainty of death by
starvation the other. It is true that money can
! never requite the horrors of their imprisonment,
their loss OF health and reason in many cases. the
total lack of medical attention. hospital accommo-
datiOns food. shelter and clothing to say nothing
Of opportunities for promotion and distinction for
eited by reason of the policy of nOn-exehange in
augurated by the Federal Government in clear
violation OF the rights of the soldier and humanity
itself; but money will at least provide home and
shelter for the old age and decrepitude of CON-
rades in whose name demand not aims, but
| simple Justice ut your hands.
| The election of officers was as follows: Pres
ident, Maj. John McElroy, Washington, ID. c.;
V.-P., DIR. John t. Walton, Buffalo; Second w.
| p, William ID. Lucas Des Mones; Chaplain,
| Charles Dickson, Connecticut; Treas, James
| A. Pentield. Boston; Historian, Frank T.. Mo-
ran. Philadelphia; Executive Committee, f. A.
| Cleveland aud DIR. g. G. Sommers, Chicago; j.
| 4. Scholl, indianapolis; o. ID. Noble Chicago.
| It was decided to hold the next meeting at
| Chicago the third Wednesday, Thursday and
| Friday in August, 1857.
| 1t is matter for regret that the report OF
the retiring President, Comrade J. III. Long
| neeker, was not handed US for publication It
is an exceedingly able document, giving in de-
| tail an account of the lahOrs of the National
officers during the past year, and their efforts
to influence Congress to favorable action in be.
/ half of eX- Union prisoners of war. The report
| of the Historian, ComTade Frank E. Moran of
| Philadelphia, Pa, although necessarily incom-
! plete. would well repay perusal, and should be
spread before the comrades at an early day
| the author was eOmplimented by re election
| to his post and it is 10 be hoped that another
years study of the subject will bear fruit in the
shape of "a volume for general circulation. All
well-informed ex-prisoners believe that, instead
of some 10000, as shown by the incomplete
records on file in the War Department not less
than $4,000. and perhaps 10000, Union soldiers
| died in captivity or shortly after release. This
| is the view taken by COmrade Moran, and the
| probabilities certainly sustain him.
The new President was notified as follows OF
| his election:
| WASHINGTON. D. O., Aug % 1886
| DEAR CoMRADE: At the last meeting of the Ma
tional Association of Ex-UniOn Prisoners of War,
| held at Buffalo, n. ". August Is and TO- YOU
were elected President of that body for the ensu-
| ing year. and the undersigned were appointed a
committee to spprise you of the fact.
The position Is one involving great labor, well
opportunity for displaying certain qualities you
believed TO possess in behalf Of your late COM
rades, the survivors of Libby Belle isle Danville
| Salisbury. Andersonvile, and Florence. No one
/ is better aware than yourself Of the claims that
these comrades have upon the gratitude and bounty
of the Nation and it is To these heroes from
an old age of penury and want that National
and local organizations have been formed and
/ continue to exist.
| Your knowledge of the efforts already put forth
I'm their behalf, together with your unfagIing zeal
for their interests has led to your selection to th
high Office of President of the National Assocs.-
| lion; and this committee sincerely hopes that you
| will your way clear to accept the same, and
| devote portion of your energies to the cause we
J have nj neHrt.
Very respectfully, w. Ii. MATTISOLY,
j. G. HAwLEY
| l.. A. LIFTLEFIELD
Mai JOHN MCELRoY,