The record-union., 1898-10-12

appropriate was needed to escort the
rang with the notes of the old, old. |
song and the words of the refrain |
heard years and years ago. came back |
as fresh and clear as though it was
only yesterday that the soldiers of an
other war marched back with it ring
ing in their ears and assuring them that
they were welcomes:
He lost his eyes and he lost his nose,
hurrah! hurrah!
He lost his eyes and he lost his nose,
hurrah. hurrah!
And the rebels shot off his two big toes;
But We'll all feel gay when Johnnie
comes marching home
On up Second street to X, on X to
Sixth and on Sixth to- Armory Hall
went the parade, and with it went the
crowd. Back into their old quarters
marched the boys who a few short
months ago left for the front, and
they, together with the friends who
accompanied them, realized that the
war was over and that the pride of the
fiery Spaniard had been humbled and
his iniquities punished. And the
crowd realized that while the post OF
danger had not belonged to our boys.
they had faithfully performed their
parts in the game of war, and We're en-
titled to the laurel wreath fully as
much as those who listened to the
music of the Mausers and breathed the
noisome fever-laden odors from the
Cuban marsh.
AT THE ARMORY.
And the boys met the eyes of the
squad of men who occupied the plat
form, who, looking back through the
mists of nearly forty years, saw thear
former selves reincarnated in the rug
ged youths before them. Colonel George
NJ Mott stood in the front rank and at
his side stood Mayor Land. Colonel
Mott waved his arm and hush fell
over the great gathering, and then IN
a few simple words he told the boys
how the reception had been gotten up
on the spur of the moment, and how
proud the old veterans and everybody
else felt of them-just as proud as II
theT had gone down into the battle and
carried the flag through the storm OF
shot and shell to the Hights of San
tiago, or had listened to the hiss of the
bullet and the shrek of shell in the
trenches before Manila.
Colonel Mott assured the boys that
every old soldier every citiZen-man,
woman and child in Sacramento, was
glad to- have them back again, but told
them that he had not come for the pur-
pose of making them a speech. He
thereupon presented Mayor Land, but
before the Mayor could make his bow
the boys of Company F sent up three
great cheers for Colonel Mott-three
cheers which caused the head of the old
warrior to bow in sheer happiness that
he had pleased the kids"
MAYOR LANDS WELCOME.
Mayor Land spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen, and Mem
| bers Of Company F, United States Vol
unteers: Some few months ago We
We're called upon for our quota of young
men to go to the front and defend the
Stars and Stripes in the war with
Spain, which was then in its incipiency;
to this call we responded with the flow
er of our young manhood, and sent
them forth to brave the hardships of
i war and pestilence. Happily for ell,
the conflict was a short one and attend
ed with wonderful results in favor Of
humanity of right and of justice.
When you enlisted and became vol
| unteers of the United States army, we
sent you away in good. cheer and wish
ed you godspeed. Tonight, we have
assembled as your fellow citizens. to
rejoice with you upon the successful
termination of the war and to welcome
you to your homes.
We are, indeed. proud of our boys,
, and feel that we owe you a debt Of
gratitude for the patriotism and brav-
cry that you have shown during your
enlistment as volunteers. Many Of you
gave up profitable business and en-
ployment, left comfortable homes and
families, some mothers and fathers,
brothers and sisters and sweethearts, to
joint the army and accept all of its at
tendant hardships and privatiOns, not
knowing whether you might ever return
again to the place you love best, Home,
Sweet Home
1T is true that you have not had the
opportunity TO meet the enemy on the
field of battle. and we realize that 1t
was no fault of yours; had the oppor-
tunity presented itself, we know that
every man of you would have willingly,
yes eagerly grasped it. We appreciate
| this fact, just as though you had gone
and met the enemy face to- face, and we
tonight feel grateful that you have
not had to bear the hardships that have
attended those who were sent away.
Again I bid you a most cordial well
come and express TO you the sincere ap-
probation and gratitude of your fellow
citizens in this community for the noble
part which you have taken in the re-
cent war with Spain. Go to your homes,
or go out into the city; l tender you
its liberties; go out and enjoy your
selves; what we have is yours, and you
will not be moested ini enjoying 1t. On
! behalf of the whole people of Sacra-
mento City, 1 receive and welcome
i! you"
/ Then the soldiers. both those who had
! gone to the war and those who wanted
! to go, cheered Sacramento's Mayor
with a will, and threw in a tiger, and
Colonel Mott presented to them Cap