Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1899 — M'KINLEY’S ADDRESS. [ARTICLE]

M'KINLEY’S ADDRESS.

PRESIDENT WELCOMES PENN- J SYLVANIA BOYS HOME. Nation’* Executive Is Lavish with Praise of the Work of the Volunteer#—sa?e History Will Take Note of Their Heroism. President McKinley was present at the reception given the Tenth Pennsylvania boys on their return to Pittsburg from the Philippines. The President’s speech of welcome was received with tumultuous applause, especially every reference to the gallant Tenth. When the speaker enumerated the several regiments entitled to special honors the boys of the Tenth took a hand in the cheering. As each regiment was mentioned the soldiers showed their delight in prolonged applause. The Twentieth Kansas (Col. Funston’S regiment) came in for an ovation. When the Nebraska regiment was mentioned the boys conld with difficulty be stopped, but the Utah battery’s name literally sent the men wild. Cheer after cheer went up and the regiment in chorus gave the Philippine yell several times. The Utah battery and the Tenth regiment were chums in the Philippines and several times the Utah men shelled the jungles, driving the insurgents back while the Tenth slept after a battle. The President said: Got. Stone and «My Fellow Cltisena: I am glad to participate with the families, friends and fellow citizens of the Tenth Pennsylvania volunteers In this glad reunion. You have earned the plaudits not alone of the people of Pennsylvania, bnt of the whole nation. Your return has been the signal for a great demonstration of popular regard from your landing In the Golden Gate on the Pacific to your homecoming, and here you find a warm,h of welcome and a greeting from joyous hearts which tell better than words the estimate of your countrymen and their appreciation of the services you hive rendered the country. You made sure and permanent the victory of Dewey. You have added new glory to American arms. You and your brave comrades engaged on other fields of conflict have enlarged the map of the United States and extended the jurisdiction of American liberty. But, while we share In the joy that ls yours, there remains with us softened and hallowed memories of those who went forth with yon, not found In your ranks to-day. Your noble colonel, devoted to his men, beloved by his command and respected by bis superior officers, gave his life to his country with many others of his comrades. The nation sorrows with the bereaved. The heroes died for their country, and there is no nobler death. Our troops represented the courage and conscience, the purpose and patriotism of their country. Whether in Cuba, Porto Rico or the Philippines, or at home waiting orders, they did their full duty and all sought the post of greatest peril. They never faltered. The Eighth army corps In the" Philippines has made a proud and exceptional record. Privileged to be mustered out In April, when the ratifications of the treaty of peace were exchanged, they did not claim the privilege—they declined It.. They voluntarily remained In the service and declared their, purpose to stay nntll •their places could be filled by new levies, and longer If the government needed them. Their service—and they understood lt--was not to be in camp or garrison, free from danger, but on the battle line, where exposure and fire confronted them, and where both have exacted their victims. History Will ■ ote Heroism. They did not stack arms. They did not run away. They were not serving the Insurgents In the Philippines or their sympathizers at home. They had no part or patience with the men, few In number happily, who would have rejoiced to have seen them lay down their arms in the presence of an enemy whom they had just emancipated from Spanish rale, and who should have been their firmest friends. They furnished an example of devotion and sacrifice which will brighten the glorious record of American valor. They have secured not alone the ■ gratitude of the government and the- people, but for themselves and their descendants an imperishable distinction. They may not fully appreciate, and the country may not, the heroism of their conduct and its Important support to the government. I think I do. and so I am here to express it. The mighty army of volunteers and regulars, numbering over 250,600, which last year responded to the call of the government with an alacrity without precedent j or parallel, were by the terms of their en- ' listment to be mustered ont with all the , regiments above 27,000 when peace with ’ Spain was effected. Peace brought us the Philippines by trsaty cession from Spain. The Senate of the United States ratified the treaty. Every step taken was In obedience to the requirements of the Constitution. It became our territory, and Is ours, as mnch as the Louisiana purchase, or Texas, or Alaska. A body of Insurgents in no sense representing the sentiment of the people of the Islands disputed our lawful authority, and even before the ratification of the treaty by the American Senate weie attacking the very forces who fought for and secured their freedom. This was the situation in April, 1899, the date of the exchange of the ratifications—with only 27,000 regulars subject to the unquestioned direction of the Executive, and they for the most part on duty In Cubs and Porto Rico, or invalided at home, affer their severe campaign In the tropics. Even bad they been available It would have required months to transport them to the Philippines. Practically a new army had to be created. These loyal volunteers In the Philippines said: “We will stay until the government oan organize an army at home and transport It to the seat of hostilities.” They did stay, cheerfully, uncomplainingly, patriotically. They suffered and sacrified, and fought and fell, they drove back and punished the rebels who resisted Federal authority and who with force attacked the sovereignty of the United States In its newly acquired territory. Without them then and there we would have been practically helpless on land, our flag wonld hare had Its first stain and the American name Its first ignominy. The brilliant victories of the army and nary In the city of Manila would have been won In vain, onr obligations to civilization wonld have remained temporarily unperformed, chaos would have reigned and whatever government there was would have been by the will of one man and not by the consent of the governed. Who refused to sound the retreat? Who stood in the breach when others weakened? Who resisted the suggestion of the unpatriotic that they should come home? Let me call the roll of regiments and battalions that deserve to be perpetuated In the nation’s annals. Tbeir action was not a sudden Impulse under excitement, bnt a deliberate determination to sustain, at cost of patience, life t need be, the honor of tbeir government and the authority of its flag: First California, California Artillery, First Colorado, First Idaho, Fifty-first lowa, Twentieth Kansas, Thirteenth Minnesota, First Montana,-First Nebraska, First North Dakota, Nevada Cavalry, Second Oregon, Tenth Pennsylvania. First South Dakota, First Tennessee, Utah Artillery, First Washington, First Wyoming. Wyoming Battery. To these must be added about 4,000 enlisted men of the regular army who were entitled to their discharge under the peace proclamation of April 11. 1899, the greater portion of whom participated in the engagements of the Eighth corps and are still performing arduous duties In the field. Nor must the navy be forgotten. Sixtyfive devoted Bailors participated in the engagement of May 1 in Manila bay, whose terms of service had previously expired, continuing on doty quite a year after that * For” these men of the army and navy we heve only honor and gratitude. Otis uuly Obeyed Orders. The world will never know the^tralnt mot exasperating conditions. For weeks fA thd Innllfß end illlllTi ft ■ ot ttfcft WUJrCvBfl Mlf irauilß « U IF w *" T - v ’' : -

InflfiiWMtl vA—■— (- fifty ugaagrirdif fy ■ ■r n lin W spirit eud'svoM all *confiict exesfttu ddlf sense pending the negotiations of The: prealfe W of peace. They were not the aggreseorttSl They did not begin hostilities against tttAfl insurgents pending the ratification of tfeiial treaty of peace In the Senate, great a* wagfil their justification, because their orders ftenlfi Washington forbade it. I take all the regi sponstbfuty for that direction. Otis OBJjraj executed the orders of the government, ;rfllW the soldiers, under great provocation to strike back, obeyed. Until the treaty was ratified we bad oAff authority beyond Manila city, bay and iUUgSW bor. We then had no other title to defend, i no authority beyond that to maintain. SjmmS was still in possession of the remainder of the archipelago. Spain bad sued for pmemm The trace and treaty were not coneiudfiCM The first blow was struck by tbe losurgeßta,:jl Our kindness was reciprocated with enMftyjJS our mercy with a Mauser. Tbe flag of tVWwSj wag invoked only to be dishonored. Our I soldiers were shot down when mtnlstering -i to wounded Filipinos Our humanity wad | interpreted as weakness, our forbearance cowardice. They assailed onr sovereignty | and there should be no parley, no pause on- I til the lnaurrectlon is suppressed and Amagfij lean authority acknowledged and ettauM The misguided follower# In rebellion have I only our cbarlty and pity. As to the erset:-! leaders who have needlessly sacrificed the | lives of thousands of tbeir people at BMF/9 cost of some of our best blood, for the gmtS«|l fleation of their own ambition# design#, I win leave to otbers the ungracious task AM eulogy. Every one of tbe noble men, regulars and | volunteers, soldiers or seamen, who thUMjM signally served their country In its extxvtmm lty, deserves the special recognition Of Co®;,fl gress, and It will be to me an unfeigned | pleasure to recommend for each of them a 1 special medal of honor. While we give yo« jl hail and greeting from overflowing hearts, 1 we do not forget tbe brave men who re* 1 main and those who have gone forward t»;*j§ take your place# and those other brave meifl who have so promptly volunteered, crowding each other to go to the front, to esi*i§« forward to successful completion the wortell yon so nobly begun. Our prayers go with them, and more sko and inanitions. If required for the speedy | suppression of the rebellion, tbe ment of peace and tranquility, and a gov- j eminent under the undisputed sovereignty 1 of the United States—a government which § will do justice to all and at once encouragW j| the best efforts and aspirations of these distant people and tbe highest development d of their rich and fertile lands. The government to which yon gave your | loyalty welcomes you to your homes. With a no blot or stain upon your record, the story of your unselfish services to country and to | civilization will be to the men who tafceil your places at the front and on the firing I line, and to future generation#, an example M ot patriotism and an Inspiration to duty.;.'.