The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-05
RECEIVED HIM WITH CHEERS.
ENTHUSIASTIC OVER
THE RETURN OF THEIR COLONEL.


t,vurcssfOns of Mutual Regard
We're ENchanged-COI. Bryan Ex-
,o,.ts TO 60 TO Cuba sOOn-Adheres
IN His Policy of Not Discussing
poIitics-One Reason why He Is
popuIar with His Men.
Coi. William Jennings Bryan of the
Third Nebraska. Regiment was somewhat
pIeasantly surprised yesterday morning as
he was nearing Savannah. A porter on
enc train came to him with a copy of the
,forping News and directed attention TO
tbe item that his regiment was to meet
him at the depot an6 escort him to the
camp.
In this way Col. Bryan was somewhat
prepared for the reception that awaited
him. although its warmth of cordiality
would have surprised any one else not
acquainted with the strong attachment OF
the regiment for its commander.
When the train reached the city Lieut.
Col Vifquain and some of the other Off
GERS were waiting for the colonel. The
twelve companies of the regiments were
drawn up on the street awaiting his COM
ing and presented arms. as he came In
sight There were cheers for the colonel,
as he mounted his horse, and the band
struck up a martial air as the regiment
started for the camp. Arriving there the
regiment was formed in a hollow square
on the parade ground and the lieutenant
colonel made a short speech of welcome,
assuring Col. Bryan of the pleasure it
gave him, the other officers, and every
man in the regiment, to have their COM
mander back in camp restored to health
and ready to lead them wherever duty
might call.
There were more cheers as Col. Bryan
began his response The colonel, after
thanking the regiment for its regard shown
by the honor paid him in she escort of
the morning, expressed the feelings of
satisfaction 1t gave him to return physical
iy sound and to find the regiment also in
improved physical condition. While his
heart has been with them during his alb
sence re had had the satisfaction of know
ing that the men were in excellent hands.
Paying a tribute TO thu ability of the Of
ticers the colonel then mentioned the
regret he had experienced al not being
With the regiment on Thanksgiving day,
the reports of the proceedings of which
had given him much pleasure. The fact
that the Third Nebraska continued TO
maintain reputation for general excel
ience that must be gratifying to every
member of it, as well as to its friends at
home was also referred to. At the close
there were three cheers from the soldiers
for the colonel
Il am feeling quite strong and we'll
again, SAID Col. Bryan to a Morning
News reporter later in the day. my va
cation put me in good trim for whatever
may be ahead"
Col. Bryan was asked when he expected
to leave for Cuba.
Soon, 1 presume" was the reply "But
have ceased to anticipate. We have ex-
pected orders of one kind or another sew
eral times and found our expectations
poorly based. We now wait for the event
TO occur before prophesying. 1t is natu-
rally supposed, though, that the First Di-
vision will soon follow the Second. In
deed, before leaving for the West I, in
common with others, looked for the First
10 get off first"
When he reached his tent in the morn
ing the colonel found that during his abb
senee regimental flag had been received
from the state and placed there awaiting
his returns. The flag, a beautiful blue
SILK banner, with the coat of arms of the
state painted upon it, will be unfurled be-
fore the regimentEl headquarters to-day.
As he examined it yesterday afternoon,
Col Bryan looked on one side and then
the other.
The states motto is not on 1t, see,"
ne said. TT is a grand motto, full of
meaning. The words are few, but they
are so expressive of the underlying prin-
clple of our government that we might
weH keep them before us all the time
Equality before the law"
AS he has consistently \done since he
entered the army, the Nebraska soldier
refused to discuss politics for publication.
Beyond stating that he arrived home in
ufne TO vote, he would make no comments
on the election.
Col. Bryan seemed considerably amused
at dispatch which was printed yester-
gay to the effect that a number of lead
ing Popullsts had called on him while
nome on the recent trip and urged him to
chahge his mind on the question of the
annexation Of the Philippines, to which
ne is generally regarded as being unalter-
do'y opposed. In the original story, it
seems, 1t was said that a prominent Dem
ocrat whose name was given, had called
On Col Bryan for this pur-
pose. The second story increased the one
Dehocrat to several, and gave more sig
mlhcance than ever to the alleged visits.
ne last version has changed the Demo-
Gratis to Populists and has made Col
bryan positively refuse to accede TO their
requests. The basis of the story seems
70 nave been that a Democrat, who is
known to be in favor of taking the Philip
pines, called on Col Bryan while at home
Inc clew was enough, and the enterprising
reporters and correspondents seem to have
done the rest. i+sf
Col. Bryan refused to discuss the Philip
pines, but laughed over this incident.
From some of the clippings that are sent
TO me- said he with a smile, zone might
suppose that l had a dozen views on the
same subject. AS a matter Of fact I don't
believe one man should have more than
TWO or three views on a single question ~"
and the colonel of the Third Nebraska
laughed again.
The colonel has never been known to
entertain more than one opinion on any
one subject, and just now his opinion as
10 interviews seems to be that 1t is not
consistent with his position in the army
10 indulge much in that direction. While