The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-05
A NATIONS GRATITUDE
Expressed to Heroes at Camp Wikoa
- by the Nations Ruler. 40
TIE CAMP TO BE DISSOLVED


three coming weeks, and by Oct. 1
will have shrunk to slender propol
tions. The 11iek .men. according to IL
War departments present designs, wi
leave the camp as fast as transports
tlon can be conveniently provided
probably at the rate of 5000 or 1000
week. The convalescenta from the hos
pitals, Instead of being sent again int
camp with their commands, will 60 I
their homes. The regulars taken fror
posts east of the Mississippi will, at
cording to the presidents directions, l.
sent where they were before the wal
,sThe Eighth Ohio and the First Ilinoi
will break camp tomorrow. The Roug
Riders will muster out toward the en-
of the week.
The determination to dissolve tn
" camp was reached after President Nc
kinleys visit on Saturday. The presi
dent spent five hours in the camp. frs
visiting the hospital wards. Genera
Wheeler announced in each ward
Boys, the president has come to Sc
you" or "Scldiers, the president of tn
were st!l unconscious, some listlessl.
raised on their elbows, others feebl,
clapped their hands. Mr.. McKnle,
gently shook hands with many, and a
every cot he paused an instant, and i
he saw the sick man looking at him h
bowed in direct and personal way
He had brief chats with some of tn,
sick men, and to one who, in respons
to his query, expressed Il wish to ge
home the president replied: Il hope w
may soon get you there"
In the second ward lay soldier wht
was too i'll to sit up. He stretched on
his hand and attempted to speak as ht
caught sight of the president, who
noticing his efforts, squeezed down be-
tween the cots and grasped the mans
hand.
You fought in Cuba%' he asked Of
the soldier
An affirmative nod was the only an.
sEer the man could give.
You are a noble man, and your
country will not forget you," continued
the president.
While in the general hospital Mrs
Hugo Lang, volunteer nurse, stepped
in frc.:t of the president, and, aftel
the exchange of pleasant greetings
said: "itr. President, do you see those
empty cots over trereo"
why. certainly" replied Mr.. Nc
Kinley.
"Well. do you know" went on Mrs.
Lang, that sick soldiers are lying on
I, l,n II i, 1yb Ioh 70
be occupying these cots? 1t is true,
but the sick soldiers are not permitted
to occupy these cots. Why, l don't
know"
The president looked at Secretary AL
ger, the secretary looked at General
Wheeler, but not word did any one
answer.
After the rounds Of the hospitals the
president addressed 5000 soldiers on
the infantry plain. He was introduced
BY General Wheeler and spoke as fol-
lows: ,
SOLDIERS. I bring you the gratitude
Of the nation to whose history you have
added by your valor new and glorious
page. Yout have come home after two
months of severe campaigning, which
mas embraced assault. siege and battle,
50 brilliant in achievement, so far
reaching in results as to command the
unstinted praise of all your country
men.
"YCu had the brunt of the battle on
land. You bore yourself with supreme
courage, and your personal bravery,
never before eXcalled anywhere. has
won the admiration of your fellow cit
izeRs and the genuine respect of all
mankind. while your endurance under
peculiar trial and suffering has given
added meaning to your heroism. Your
eXertions made easy the conquest of
Porto Rico under the resistless army
commanded by Major General Miles,
and behind you, to proceed at a mo-
ment's summons, were mere than 200.-
1CO of your comrades to support you,
disappointed that the opportunity
which you had did not come to them,
yet filled with pride at your well earned
fame and rejoicing upon your signal
victories.
You were on the line of battle; they.
no less than you, were in the line Of
duty. All have served their country
in its need, all will serve it so long as
they may be required. and all will for
ever have the thanks and regard of a
people.
I'VE cannot bid you welcome here
today without our hearts going out to
the heroes of Manila on sea and land,
whose services and sacrifices, whose
courage and constancy in that far dis
l.