Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-09-07


Pennsylvania volunteers in this glad re-
union.
''You have earned the plaudits not alone
Of the people of Pennsylvania but of the
whole nation. Your return has been the
signal for great demonstration of pop
Golden Gate on the Pacific to your home
coming. and here you find warmth Of
welcome and a greeting from joyous hearts
which tell better than words the estimate
OF your countrymen and their high appre-
citation Of the services you have rendered
manent the victory of Dewey. You added
new glory to American arms. You and
your brave comrades engaged on other
fields Of conflict have enlarged the map
of the United States and extended the
jurisdiction Of American liberty.
Hallowed Memories.
''But while we share in the Joy that is
yours, there remain with us softened and
haliOwed memories of those who went forth
with you not found in your ranks to-day.
Your noble colonel, devoted to his men,
beloved by his command and respected
by his superior officers. gave his life to his
country with many others of his comrades.
The nation sorrows with the bereaved.
These heroes died for their country. and
there is no nobler death.
United States Territory.
lac AAASAly army Oh volunteers ana reg.
ulars, numbering oNas, 250.00O which last
year responded to the dali Of the govern
ment with an alacrity without precedent
or parallel. by the terms of their enlist
ment were to be mustered out. with all
of the regulars above $1,000. when peace
us the Philippines, by treaty cession from
Spain. The senate ratified the treaty.
Every step taken was in obedience to the
requirements Of the constitution. 1t be-
came our territory and is ours, as much
as the Louisiana purchase. or Texas. or
representing the sentiment of the people
Of the islands disputed our lawful authori.
ty, and even before the ratification of the
treaty by the American senate were at
tacking the very forces who fought for
and secured their freedom.
Patriotism of Volunteer Army.
''This was the situation in April. 1899.
the date Of the exchange of ratifications
with only 27,000 regulars subject to the
unquestioned direction Of the executive.
and they for the most part on duty in
Cuba and Porto Rico or invalided at home
after their severe campaign in the trop-
les. Even had they been available it
would have required months to transport
them to the Philippines. Practically new
unteers in the Philippines said: We will
stay until the government can organize
an army at home and transport 1t to the
seat of hostilities.' They did stay, cheer
fully. uncomplainingly. periodically. They
suffered and sacrificed. they fought and
fell. they drove back and punished the
rebels who resisted federal authority and
who with force attacked the sovereignty
of the United States in its newly acquired
territory. Without them then and there
we would have been practically helpless
on land. our flag would have had its first
stain and the American name its first
tgnom!ny
Must Not Forget Navy.
''Nor must the navy be forgotten. Sixty
hve devoted sailors participated in the
engagement Of May in Manila bay whose
terms OF service had previously expired.
continuing on duty quite year after that
action.
..For these men Of the army and navy we
have only honor and gratitude.
"The word will never know the restraint
OF our soldiers-ther self-control under the
most exasperat ting conditions For weeks
subjected to the insults and duplicity Of the
insurgent leaders. they preserved the
status quo. remembering that they weze
under an order from their government to
sacredly observe the terms of the protocol
in letter and spirit and avoid all conflict
except In defense pending the negotiations
Of the treaty Of peace. They were not
the aggressors. They did not begin hos
tilities against the insurgents pending the
ratification Of the treaty of peace in the
senate. great as was their Justification be-
cause their orders from Washington for
bade 1t. ! take all the responsibility for
that direction. Otis only executed the or
ders of his government. and the soldiers.
under great provocation to strike back.
obeyed.
First Blow Struck by Filipinos.
Until the treaty was ratified we had no
authority hevond Manila city hay a nd n a r.