The National tribune., 1888-10-18
UNION EX- PRISONERS.
Full Proceedings Of the National Con-
VentiOn.

The 10th annual Convention Of the National
Association Of Union EX-Prisoners Of War met
in the hall Of George ii. Thomas Post G-A.ky
IN the city Of indianapolis, Ind, at 1880 a. m,
Sent. I6. 1855. Gen. Vim. 4 Powell, President,
IN tie chair who called the Convention TO
order and In a few well-timed remarks con-
erntnlated the Convention en- the respectable
attendance and increased interest manifested
by the large number Of delegates present
The Chaplain not having arrived, the Chair
invited Conrade Rev. J. S. Ferguson, OF Jetier-
son CITY. no. to open the proceedings by IN
veking the Divine blessing.
The roll Of officers being called, was respond
ed to by " H. Powell, President; j.. + Wal
lialns. Secretary and Treasurer; G. & McCaDe,
Chaplain; NJ j. Anderson, Vice PRESIDENT,
District Of Columbia; F. a. Cleveland, Vice
President. Illinois; L. II. Williams, Nice-fresl-
dent, Indiana. and Thomas II. Mckee, E&ecu-
tive Committee, Washington, ID. c.
The proceedings Of the last annual Conven-
ton were read and approved.
the Secretary read the list OF delegates re-
r1orted. whereupon the Chair appointed > u
Long, New Jersey; J. w. Green, Ohio ana L.
n. Walker, Indiana. Committee on Creden-
tials. who reported s. delegates from % differ
ent States entitled to seats in the Convention.
The President made verbal report of the
practical working of the changes made In the
Constitution at the last annual Convention, ana
showed that they had already much beuented
the association. and predicted that its useful
ness would be greatly enhanced IN the future,
and urged all local associations that nave NOT
already done SO. to at once fall into line and
cooperate with the National Association, as
ain union there is strength
The Secretary and Treasurer presented his
report which showed the amount OF work done
during the past year and gave general Ioea
Of the business of the National Association. lie
reports thet p different associations nave been
organized and chartered during the past year,
located in Il different States, aud about 40 in
dividnal members Of the National Association
enrolled from - States.
Received from al sources S82469. and dis
bursed for necessary expenses, badges, etc.
s7l3.65, leaving IN tie treasury Slll.94, which
added 10 the cost price of badges, State pms
and prison slides nov on hand makes balance
OF SZ7lI4
He urges the organization Of local associa-
tions wherever it is possible 20 find comrades
10 form one, aud where it is not practicable, ali
qualified prisoners should become individual
members Of the National. IB these two ways
the association should be represented by l5,Os0
or $4,000 ex-pris0ucrs, which number would
make il q strong and self-sustsining s0clei J,
capable of doing much good. lie also recon-
mends that some means be devised whereby
individual members may have representation
10 the deliberations OF the National Association.
This report was referred 20 committee con-
sisting Of Comrades S. NJ Long, New Jersey
J. S. Ferguson, Missouri, end y. T. Anderson
District Of Columbia, who reported thereon as
follows:
Your committee TO whom was referred the an
uul report Of the Secretary and Treasurer, n1oSl
respectfully state that they have examined tins
very fuli report, and recommend Inc adoption o.
the same without alteration. believing II Il not wise
10 reduce tie cost Of the badges at TINS time. We
recommend that hereafter ali local auxiliary socie
tasr q before
The National Convention, 70 entille them TO repre-
Eentetion.
TIE following telegram from the Historian
of the association was read, and Its sympathy
extended 10 him;
PHILADELPHIA Sept Is. 1885.
Gen. ". q. POWELL: Am TOO III for tie journey
A comrades hail 10 you all. FRANK J.. MORAN.
Gen. Jno. Coburn, Of Indianapolis, was in
trO5uced to the Convention, who said p0r
tion Of his brigade was captured by Van DorE
g. ThgmpsoH's Station, Tenn, il 1883 hence
while he was lot yet member cf the Gssocla
ton, he assured those present his sympathy an(
Eiudcst regard mad ever been with them ans
with an interest in the work scarcely less thar
Il be was an active member. lie alluded &
the difficulties he encountered when, on behai
Of Gov. 81 0rton, he a tempted 10 make specia
exchange Of GeR. Sreighfs men in January
1854. and explained tie reason Of his failure.
Iu conclusion, Gen. Cobnrn said: 4" / want Z
tesi q now 70 my belief that the hardest seTY
ices rendered by soldiers was by the prisoner
q war vino were kept IN suffering because 0
this policy. The book Of martyrs that viii Rel
OF these sufferers VIII give instances Of SUB
Inner endurance and courage than have ye
been written ia prose or IN poetry, history 0
romance. The seif-sacrIGces OF the soldier
who suffered the pdugs Of hunger, Insult an
abuse from brutal guards, aud who died h0rTi
bic deaths are known TO you all. A recollection
Of them brings upon Us this day q sense Of gTea
s0rrOW'
The Chair appointed Comrades F. A. Cleve
hand. III: Th3s. II. Mckee, d. c., and s. S Can
fed, Ohio, committee to examine and audi
the Ireas1rers accounts.
The Convention then took = recess till
o'clock ?. m
AFrEENooS SESSION..
The Convention assembled promptly at
o'clock. and President Powell remarked thi
IL looking over the work 10 DO il was thougt
al Necessary businef could be attended 20
the afternoon sessiCa II proper dispatch be oil
served, aud Is a number Of delegates found
incumbent u9on them To leave for home duriI
tie evening. jt was therefore his intention
push the business before him.
TIE Auditing Committee reported the TFea
urers looks ia perfect order and correct an
c0mp.imente4 a5r1 for the clear and intciIigel
manner Of keeping his accounts and the nea
E1s5 CT his books. Report adopted.
The following resolution was offered by
II. Williams, q Indiana:
Resoloe6. That It Is the sense Of the National Co
FculsC- y Elc Jnl0l E1-Prlsouefs or Wax, II
Conerras.lan q. G.. A.atson, Chairman Of tic Coz
Enitiec Invalid Pensions las successfully bloc
e Tic way Of az legislation il tie Interest Of 1
Lulol ex-tlfis0uers o. war.
Ia secondiug the resolution, Comrade ]
seph j. Kilig0re, . delegate from New Yor
said lie believed the members Of the ass0c
ton had reached period when they shOu
strike back. Z" We have not gathered here
politicians" he continued, but we are he
Representing thousands OF men who suffered
Eoalhern prisons, and 1 for one am ready
strike back az n mar who strikes at Us,
not care Wl1o lie is, what name he sails und
c. 10 what political party be belongs. Thu IA
who would treat the sold ier rs G. {. Matson
done should be relocated % Oblivion. ! have
vote In Indiana bal on behalf Of every CO
race in Sew York ! ask you b remember 70
duty il this matter. There are in the ain
houses Of the country thousands OF cid co
rs8es WhO would not be there had il not be
Cor his action" Several members indorsed
sentiments OF the New York delegate
resolution was then unanimously adopted
On motion OF w. p. Pierce a vote Of thar
was rendered Maj. M0rTeii, Of Kansas, a me
Der Of the Invalid Pension Committee Of
National House Of Representatives, for
efforts 10 accomplish legislation on behalf
Union ex- prisoners Of war.
y .rers.f H. 7nr-lr 4 =.