The National tribune., 1900-04-26

obligation is more sacred, more solemn, or
| more binding.
1t is to be hoped that large number
OF the Union eX-pfiSoners of war VIII at
tend the Reunion at Normal, will visit the
Home and carefully inspect it, and see and
hear for themselves whether their dead
comrades orphan children are as well
cared for as they should be.
And when we are assembled in Reunion,
We should endeavor TO do something for
ourselves. 1t IS almost 81 years since the
war of the rebellion closed, and the Union
ex-prisoners of war have never received
any recognition at the hands of our Gov
ernment for the awful Sufferings they en-
dured while prisoners of war. 1t is be-
lieved that if every Union Prisoners AS
sociatlon, in every State in the Union,
would take some decisive action, Congress
might be induced to do something for our
comrades. Our request is so modest, reas-
enable and Just. it does seem that II all
our associations would courteously urge
IT.. surely Congress would grant it. The
Illinois Association did take action at its
last Reunion, at Springfield last Septem-
Der, which can best be explained by the
following letter. typewriter copy OF
which was sent 10 our Senators and Rep-
reSentativeS:
DEAR SIR: AT the last meeting Of the
Illinois Association of EX-Prsoncrs Of War,
at Springfield last September, a resolution
MtLS uIi.LIiiHioiiSlN dupDttu tIt
Secretary of the Association to write to the
Senators and Representatives of Illinois In
the United States Congress, and ask their
cooperation III passing bill giving to
every cn!on eX-prisoner OF war during the
war OF the rebellion, Il pension OF $3.50
per day for every day he was "A prisoner,
| provided he was a prisoner twenty days or
more.
The Union cX-prisoners Of war are now
Old men, and most of them are needy.
They have never received any recognition
at the hands of Congress for what they
| suffered while prisoners in the hands
of the enemy. More than 10000
| OF them miserably pcrished in the skeleton
clutches of starvation in the prisons of
| hatred and famine. No tongue can tell,
no pen describe what those suffered who
are still alive. They are broken and shat
tered IN body and mind, and are eking
out q life of distress and misery. The
hardest duty any soldier ever performed
was that of serving as prisoner of war.
Every Union ex-prisoncr of war, in every
State OF tie Union he helped to save, begs
and implores You to recognize his just
claim, and assist him to obtain it,
prompt and cordial reply was received
from every gentleman to whom the letter
was sent: They all said that they We're
ready and anxious 10 do everything they
could for the old soldiers and especially tn"
Union ex-prisoners of war. 1t is not al all
probable that any Senator or Representa-
tive would oppose any legislation proposed
for the benefit of the Union cx-prisoners of
war But We must do something, and do
It all together. and at the same session of
Congress. We must get some one 10 propose
2 bill. Introduce it into Congress, and urge
its passage.
Our Association is TO have an informal
Reunion at jacksonville on May 3. during
tie EncamDnemt Of the Department of Hi
nois. We will have Campfire on Wednes-
day or Thursday evening, May = or 3.
and we hope as many OF our comrades
will meet with us as possibly can. 1t is
hoped that there will be enough comrades
present TO take some decisive action on this
ncnsion question:. LITTLE, Secretary.
Bloomington. H.