Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-09
" elronue Home!


hinchingly faced the dangers of disease and
Of battle They have won high credit for
themselves as a disciplined organization
and for the community which they repre-
sent. General officers, including Shafter.
Wheeler and Bates, have praised them for
their good conduct and their soIdierly quail
tiles. They have been placed in a position
of grave responsibility and from every test
they have emerged with enviable record.
No other city in the United States has
more reason to be proud of its representa-
ton in the war with Spain. Washington
watched the course IF its own organization
with affectionate confidence and when it
was chosen to reinforce the army beseg-
ing Santiago the hearts at home beat high
with hopes and fears. The regiment did
well in the trenches. 1t arrived too late to
share in the glories of the assault. but in
he trying work of investment during the
days of parleylng the Washington boys
formed part of that solid chain of determ-
ined fighters which convinced the enemy
of the hOpelessness of his position. Then
came the awful fevers. the steady sinking
az the spirits, tie sapping Of the strength,
the hospitals, the nIseries of homesIckness,
OF insufficient food, of the lack of direct
kindly attentions. They were sad days. for
the folks at home well as for the. boys
at the front.
But the regiment has come back There
are vacancies il the ron. Fourteen gallant
men have LAID down their lives, as truly
heroic in their sacrifices as though they
met death in the charge. as surely martyrs
in the cause OF human liberty though
they had fallen on the fieid- They are deep
ly mourned by ALL Their own dear ones,
bitterly grievlng at their loss, have in this
day of general graduation the sincere, de-
voted sympathy OF the entire community.
The regiments experiences have brought
the people OF " asnInston close together
and the tears of those whose sons or broth
ers passed away during the campaign md
reflection in the - Is of those more for
tunate ones VINO TO-DAY are permitted to
clasp their own brave boys by the hand,
and 10 welcome them home.
This Homecoming brings serious prob
lens as we'll causes tor jubilation. The
majority OF the members o. the regiment
will. upon their null restoration to health,
resume their normal occupations. They
will re-enter the RANKS OF the workers and
will soon again be productive citizens. But
others will not be 50 fortunate. Some
there are who are now and for weeks viii
continue TO be TOO weak to labor in any
line, while Others, though able-bodied AMI
capable, will De without employment Tney
laid down their pens their books and other
commercial ana professional equipments
without hesitation when the call came for
troops Some will have the good fortune
TO walk quickly back TO their old places
Others will be destitute. The community
will care for them and for those dependent
upon them. 1t VIII allow no man to suffer
because he has served his country and has
unSelfishly put ASIDE the opportunity for
gain.
AS the regiment narcled along the streets
today, with bands pias ing marital music
and throngs cheering ana nags waving
from the walls Deycnd, there was doubt
less in every breast a m-ngIng of sorrow
with the giadness ass eapse the thought of
the poor fellows lett behind IN hospitals
o. i'll here at home. They have been I'M
able to take part IN the procession, TO hear
the shouts Of joyous friends, TO march
proudly past the head Of the nation and
feel the influence OF his kindly nature as
he did reverence to the nag and Indicated
his interest in and regard Tor the capitals
volunteers They are struggling back TO
health, hopeful 1or relsase tEom the SUI
ferings produced by the Cuban climate. But
they We're not forgotten TO-DAY, nor Will
they De neglected.
The regiment has come back, Those
words mean much 10 the fathers, mothers,
sisters, brothers, sweetnearts and friends
who have walled VITA heavy hearts during
these many weary weeks for TINS welcome
event Ihey mean III TIE mann end 10
uncertainty, 10 Sl4wlhg Tears and Dase.ess
alarms. Iuey mean rtJL4,ed families ana
happy homes 10 some. tuey mean the
sweet burden OI tender Nursing OF the dear
sick ones, Tine seeer.As OI THESE battered
craft 10 the nstrOOr AeaI.I- fnere Is, in
deed. no place M a.Olie Ivr the SICK SOL
ller from the camp ~ REGAIN sIrengIn
and TO ma NE as.ow Win interest anu am
hilton.
And the men. To most of them this
day means resu.ar, Aea4ty meals, clean.
comfortable bus, me Iel.EeHlenIs OF CIV
ilIzatiOn. the co4nIOI.s Vi nome 10 replace
the haIAsiips VI s4Iv camp, the trenches ant
the Transport 1Hrse CI4eeIs nIe>tn JHaI Jnsy
are heRc=IOI III ~ De surrouuued Dy tnelr
own warm IIlsi-4s, ana women con-
cerned IN tnelr "e.1etau, easer ~ grasp their
Eands, TO near Inc s.orle- VI tnv.r expert
-hces. 10 convince eIIeL-i mat W asnin45tOn =
welcome - MOI al DuDOl.L1s enLnusias44i, Dut
Las d MN I1un-.~aeiOIi OI feas personal IN
IeTest IN the welfare oL Its own soluier Boys.
70 Col. us.riiss eai4d the otner OHncers UI
the regiment. VINO have eaftu SO couscleIl-
CiOu%iy Tor tie Ia4Sn JneIr- charge the
citizens have nOIAIns but heartfelt thanks
At every step IA Inc progress, IRON armory
10 Camp Anger, 10 CHIcAamdaga, to Tampa
10 Santiago, To 3IOAtetuk POINT, 10 " ASH
lngton, the nrst thU4snts OF the command
Ct ana his einCleAJ dlueS, ms majors, cap
tainS and 1euLenants. have been for the
men, their heaItiI, their chances tor partici-
latloh In the cam-alsns their substantial
welfare They have Drought the regiment
back IN what. UaOer All the handicappiny
circumstances. IS no less Than wonderfuI.y
good condition the percentage OF CASUAL
Ties has been remarkably low, the number
OF seriously SICK mas been comparatively
small s.ld taken ali in ali there is no other
regiment IN the whole volunteer army with
Il finer record than that of the Ist Dtstric,
OF Columbia.
So with three cheers and a tiger tho
national capital receives back its bovs as
they come marching nome again from San
tiago.