The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1899-1900, 1899-09-13

The brilliant victories OF the navy and
army In the bay and city Of Manila
would have been won In vain; our
obligations to civilization would have
remained temporarily unperformed;
chaos would have reigned, and what
ever government there was would have
been by one man, and not by consent
OF the governed. Who refused to
sound the retreat? Who stood in the
breach. when 9th ars- weakened? Who
resisted the suggestion OF the uhp..
triotic that they should come home?
Let me call the roll of the regiments
and battallons that deserve to be per-
petuated In the nations annals. Their
action was not sudden impulse under
excitement, but deliberate determin-
alton to sustain, at the cost Of life
If need be, the honor Of their govern
ment, and the authority of its flag:
Roll OF Honor.
First California, California artillery
First Colorado First Idaho, Fifty-first
Iowa, Twentieth Kansas, Thirteenth
Minnesota, First Montana, First Ne
brRska, First North Dakota Nevada
cavalry, Second Oregon, Tenth Penn
sylyania, First South Dakota, First
Tennessee, Utah artillery, First Wash
ington, First Wyoming, Wyoming bat
tefy
To these must be added about 1000
enlisted men of the regular army, who
were entitled to their discharge under
the peace proclamation Of April IL,
1889; the greater portion of whom
participated in the engagements of the
Eighth corps and are still performing
arduous duties in the field.
Nor must the navy be forgotten.
Sixty-fve devoted sailors participated
in the engagement Of May / in Ma
nilla 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 world will never know the re-
straint Of our soldiers-their self-con-
troll under the most exasperating con-
ditions. For weeks subjected to the
insults and duplicity of the insurgent
leaders, they preserved the status quo,
remembering that they were under an
order from their government to sa-
credly observe the terms Of the pro-
tocol In letter and spirit, and avoid all
conflict, except in defense, pending the
| lut lItdly W pSdSCs
They were not the aggressors. They
did not begin hostilities against the
insurgents pending the ratification OF
the treaty of peace In the senate, great
as was their justification, because their
orders from Washington forbade it. /
take all the responsibility for that d.
rection Otis only executed the orders
Of his government, and the soldiers,
| np dor n
obeyed. Until the treaty was ratified
we had no authority beyond Manila
city, bay and harbor. We then had no
other title to defend, no authority be-
yond that to maintain. Spain was still
In possession Of the remainder Of the
archipelago, Spain had sued for peace.
The truce and treaty were not con-
cluded.
Cruelty For Kindness.
| The first blow was struck by the in
surgents. Our kindness was recipro-
Gated with cruelty, our mercy with a
Maeses The flag Of truce was in
voked only to be dishonored. Our SOL
diers were shot down when ministering
to the wounded FilipiAos, Our human
ity was interpreted as weakness, our
forbearance as cowardice. They as
sailed our sovereignty and there will
be no useless parley-no pause until
the insurrectlon Is suppressed, and
American authority acknowledged and
! established. The misguided followers
in rebellion have only our charity and
. pity. AS to the cruel leaders who have
needlessly sacrificed the lives Of thou
sands Of their people at the cost Of
some of our best blood, for the grati-
fication of their own ambitious de-
signs, l will leave to others the un-
gracious task Of justification and eu-
logy.
: Every one of these noble men, regu-
r lars and volunteers, soldiers and sea-
: men, who thus signally served their
country in its extremity deserves the
! special recognition of congress, and 1t
? will be to me an unfeigned pleasure
! to recommend for each Of them spe-
cial medal OF honor,
Those ut Front Remembered.
: While we give you hail and greeting
1 from overflowing hearts, we do not
, forget the brave men who remain and
those who have gone forward to take
: your places, and those other brave
= men who have so promptly yolun-
/, teereu, cTOWulHS eacn OlneT W gu W
the front, to carry forward to success
I full completion the noble work you
: have begun. My prayers go with them
}. and more men and munitions, If re-
y quired, for the speedy suppression OF
A the rebellion, the establishment of
i peace and tranquility and a govern
/ ment under the undisputed sovereignty
v of the United States-a government
q which will do justice to all and at once
. encourage the best efforts and aspira-
tions of these distant people, and the
/ highest development Of their rich and
v fertile lands.
: The government to which you gave
| vnur lOva1ty WalnOmae vOu IN vnur