Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-25
ADDS ITS CORDIAL GREETING
Colonel Responds with Happy Address to
His Oomrades-at- Arms.
EXPRESSES PRIDE IN THEIR ACHIEVEMENT:
Deeds of One Year Ago Are Recounted
and the Ready Return of Cow
boys to Ways of Peace
is Comm cndcd.

Rough Riders Regimental association was
delayed a little by the railroad washouts,
which prevented the arrival of
Governor Theodore Roosevelt OF New
York, who, as colonef of the
famous organization of fighters and the spe-
cial guest of honor OF this occasion, was
looked upon as the necessary feature of the
formal beginning OF the affair. For two
days the crowds had been gathered from
near and far. until this morning the little
city of Las Vegas was filled as it has seldom
been before. Nearly every surviving mem
Der of the regiment was present, many re-
grets being expressed at the necessary alb
sence of Major General Leonard Wood, the
original colonel of the Rough Riders.
Governor Roosevelt arrived here at l:SO
o'clock this afternoon and was greeted as he
stepped off the platform of the rear car
with tremendous cheering from 5000 peo-
pie massed around the depot.
The noted New Yorker was clad in his
Rough Rider uniform and was easily recog-
nized by the crowd. He was almost lifted
bodily from the ground by the press Of per-
sons anxious to grasp his hand and as he
and his party made their way slowly to the
Castaneda hotel the crowds surged after
him. He looked in excellent health and
seemed to appreciate the hearty enthusiasm
of the people who greeted him. AS he
walked down the depot sidewalk a line OF
Rough Rider veterans saluted and joined
in the general ovation.
When Colonel Roosevelt came opposite the
line OF Rough Riders he commenced shaking
hands with the troopers and gave them a
most cordial greeting. He remarked
II am mighty glad to see you, boys, and
to be able TO be with you. l would not have
~; In, iNr
had been held in Alaska / would have gone
there TO see YOU
The Rough Riders cheered him continu-
ously and were apparently equally pleased
to greet him
On the way down. Colonel Roosevelt re-
marked: "Captain Luna was the first man
spotted" AS he met his old comrade-in-
arms he received him heartily.
Floral Arch for Colonel.
At Ration, the gate city of New Mexico, the
citizens turned out enmasse. Colonel Roose-
welt was presented with floral Offering con
sisting of an archway with gate swinging
open.
! The design was made up of roses and
carnations, with background OF smlax.
Colonel Roosevelt made short address
recounting the deeds of New Mexicos Rough
| Riders and complmenting the people of the
| territory upon the reputation the Rougt
Riders had conferred upon it.
At Springer the citizens presented the
! colonel with floral wreath.
Colonel Roosevelt travelled in the private
car of Vice President Paul Morton of the
Santa Fe road. Mr. Morton was a member
Of the party. II. II. Kohlsaat, editor of tn,
Chicago Times Herald: Captain Day, Lieu
| tenant Ferguson and Lieutenant D. NJ
| Goodrich also accompanied Colonel Roose
| welt.
Colonel Roosevelt has promised to remain
until Monday morning al least and will at
tend the regimental review tomorrow after
| noon.
The business meeting of the Rough Rid
| ers' Regimental association was held in thu
! Duncan opera house and, owing to the alb
/ sence of Secretary Carter of Prescott, Lieu
| tenant William E. Dame Of Santa Fe wa
| chosen secretary pro TEN.
! An address of welcome on behalf OF TIL
citizens Of Las Vegas was made by A. A
| Jones, a prominent attorney of this place
+, He said in conclusion:
I'VE are more than grateful to have as
sembled here from the various states ant
territories this happy throng who join u
in extending to you our hospitality, love an
affection"
Colonel Roosevelt responded as follows
his remarks at times being enthusiasticall
applauded:
Roosevelt Speaks to His Men.
Just at this time / would not have lef
New York state for any purpose save Il
attend the reunion of my old regiment, anc
for that purpose i would have gone 4
Alaska, or anywhere else, for the bond tina
unites us to one another is as close as an!
human friendShip |
good fortune to be among those accepted
when the country called to arms year ag'
last spring, and when ten men volunteered
for every one that could be chosen thinl
! may say without boasting that the regi
ment did its duty in every way, and tina
it's record Is a subject for honorable prid
not only as regards the members themselve
but the country at large. l am proud o
you because you never complained and neve
finched. When you went to war you knew
you would not have an easy time; you ex
pected to encounter hardships, and you tool
them without murmur. You We're all II
readiness to learn and to show the promp
obedience which make 1t possible to turi
the American volunteer SO soon into n first
class type of fighting man.
or those who landed for the brief cam
paign in the tropical mid summer agains
Santiago one-fourth were KILLED or woundei
and three fourths of the remainder we're a
one time or another stricken down by fever
Many died, but there is not one among yo'
so poor in spirit that he does not coun
fever wounds and death itself as nothing
compared with the honor OF having beel
able TO serve with the regiment under tn
flag of the United States in one OF the mos
righteous wars which this century has seen
This was typical American regiment. TIL
majority of It's members came from IN
southwest, but not all We had in ou
ranks easterners. westerners, northerners
southerners, Catholics. Protestants, Jews
gentiles-men whose parents were born i
Germany or Ireland, and men whose parent
were born on the banks OF the James, tn
Hudson, and at Plymouth Rock nearly thre
centuries ago. and all were Americans i
heart and soul, in spirit and purpose
Americans, and nothing else. We knew n
distinction Of creed birthplace, or residence
All the creed for us was that man shoul
do his duty. should show himself alert, pa
tient and enduring. good in camp and o
the march, and valiant in battle,
, Ny comrades, the regiment was but