The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-10-22

Mr.. Mayor and fellow citizens: It Is
not IN the uncOngtrued language OF
compliment. but with deep emotion that
undertake 90 make response TO the
warm and generous welcome extended
on behalf OF the city Of Columbus BY
your honored mayor. It seems TO me
like coming back home. (Great APP
plkuse). The familiar faces see about
me, the familiar songg ] have heard, all
make me feel that am among my old
friends with whom for four years
lived. (ReneWed applRuse). recall no
four years OF public service that gave me
more pleasure than while serving this
state and not the least OF that pleasure
was the kindly, friendly social relations
/ had with the people OF this capital city.
(ReneWed applause).
Very much has happened since last
met you in public assembly. The nation
has been at war. Not because It wanted
war, but because Il preferred Il rather
than TO witness at its very door the sut-
feringS and death Of an oppressed peo-
pie. CTremendouB cheering). we en-
tered upon Il with no purpose but that
OF humanity. No desire for new terri-
tory, no motive of aggrandizement, no
desire to extend our royalty, but that we
might stop the oppression Of netghbor-
ing people Whose groans we could al-
most hear Happily for US, with our
splendid army and NO less splendid
navy, the war was concluded In lttle
more than 100 days. Nothing IKE II in
the military annals OF the world. (Great
cheerlng).
They have done their work. They
have wrought we'll. 1t remains for US
-. A.. a.GfaaNa nfaVsan1gFnn IN the lfnfi0-
ished task, to right in public treaty the
fr,iitage OF the strife (Applause). Nor
do 1 forget that short as was the war,
many OF our brave boys went down in
battle, never ,to rise again. They fell
under the holy banner OF the free fight
ing for humanity whether in the camp
or In the field, in the battle line, In the
trenches or the forecastle. They gave
up their lives for their country's cause;
nor do forget, standing In this pres
ence, that that rugged old soldier Col.
Poland tremendous cheeringl and that
other rugged soldier, Col. Haskell CVoci-.
ferrous applause) brave commanders or
the gallant Seventeenth infantry (yell-
ing, yellIng) gave all they had, the best
that any man hath, his own life, for the
honor Of his country. The brave boys
fell at Santiago making the charge on
San Juan hill, at Ell Caney, at Guanta-
namo and at Manila.
They fell devoted but undying,
The very gales their names seem signing
The woods are peopled with their tame,
THE waters murmur their name;
But beyond, silent pillars lone and gray,
Claim kindred with their sacred clay;
Their spirits wrap the dusky mountain;
Their memories sparkle in the Fountain
The meanest rilI, the mightlest river.
(Tremendous cheering).
Ny countrymen the past is secured.
We know the extent Of our country now.
Some additions have been made since /
left you. Our flag floats triumphantly
over Porto Rico. (Cheers). Our troops
are In unquestioned possession Of that
island. The same flag floats over Ha-
wall. CAIore cteering). We know what
our country is now. know its history but
we do not know what It may be In the
near future, but whatever 1t is, what
ever obligations shall Justly come from
this strife OF humanity, we must take
up and as free, strong, brave people, ac-
oept the trust which civilization puts
.upon ne. Ccheeringl. .--.----,i