The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-29
he bereaved. These heroes died for their

country. and there is no nobler death.
Our troops represented the courage and
conscience. the purpose and patriotism ef
their country. Whether In Cuba, Porto
Rico or the Philippines. or at home
awaiting orders. they did their full duty.
and all sought the post of greatest peril.
They never faltered. The Eighth army
corps in the Philippines have made a
proud and exceptional record. Privileged
to be mustered out In April, when the
ratiflcations of the treaty Of peace were
exchanged, they did not claim the priv
ilege-they declined 1t. They voluntarily
remained In the service and declared their
purpose to stay until their places could
be filled by new levies. and longer II thu
government needed them. Their service,
and they understood twas not to be
in camp or garrison, free from danger.
but on the battle line, where exposure
and death confronted them. and where
both have exacted their victims.
Anti-Expansionists Rebuked.
They did not stack arms They did not
run away. They were not serving the In
surgents in the Philippines or their SYM
pathizers at home They had no part or
patience with the men. few in number
happily who would have rejoiced to see
them have laid down their arms In the
presence of an enemy whom they had
just emancipated from Spanish rule and
who should have been our hrmest friends.
They furnished an example of devotion
and sacrifice which Will brighten ths
glorious record of American valor.
Nor must the navy be forgotten. Sixtyss
five devoted sailors participated in the
engagement of May In Manila baV4
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 restraint
of our soldiers-their self control under
the most exasperating conditions. For
weeks subjected TO the insults and du''
plicity of the insurgent leaders, they pre-
served the status quo, remembering that.
they were under an order from their gov-
ernment 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 the hostilities against the insur-
gents pending the ratification of the
treaty of peace in the senate, great as
was their justification, because their or.
ders from Washington forbade 1t. take
all the responsibility for that direction.
Otis only executed the orders of his gov
ernment, and the soldiers. under great
provocation to strike back. obeyed.
The first blow was struck by the fn-
surgents. Our kindness was reciprocated
with cruelty our mercy with Mauser
The flag of truce was invoked only to be
dlshonored. Our soldiers were shot down
when minstering to the wounded Fill
p!nos. Our humanity was interpreted as
weakness, our forbearance as cowardice. .
They assailed our sovereignty, and there
will be no useless parley-no pause untilf
the insurrection is suppressed and Ameri-
can authority acknowledged and estSb-
lished.
Every one of the noble men, regularsF
or volunteers, soldiers or seamen. who
thus signally served their country in its
extremity deserves the special recognf-
ton of congress- and 1t will be to me an
unfeigned pleasure to recommend for
each of them special medal Of honor
Heroes Applaud Comrades in Arms.
The presidents speech was received
with tumultuous applause, especially
every reference to the gallant Tenth.
When the speaker enumerated the sew
eral regiments entitled to specialzAon-
ors the boys of the Tenth took hand -
in the cheering. AS each regiment was
mentioned the soldiers showed their
delight in prolonged applause. The
Twentieth Kansas Colonel Funston's
regiment) came In for an ovation.
When the Nebraska regiment was.
mentioned the boys could with diff
ficulty be stopped. but the Utah bat
tery's name literally set the men wild.
Cheer after cheer went up. and the
regiment in chorus gave the Philippine
yell several times. The Utah battery
and the Tenth regiment were chums
in the Philippines, and several times,
the Utah men shelled the 5ungles,
driving the insurgents back while tho
Tenth slept after battle.
Congressman John Dalzell followed
In an eloquent address. and on behalf
of the citizens of western Pennsylva-
MIA presented each of the commission
ed officers with sword, the chaplain
a loving cup and every man In the
regiment a beautiful medal. The
presents were received by Colonel Bar
nett on behalf of the officers and men.
General Wesley Merritt was then in-
troduced and made an address on be-
half of the army.
After benediction by DR.. A. H. Lucas
the regiment was marched to the park
race track, where a sumptuous repast
was served, and then they were finally
dismissed.
After the soldiers had eaten their
late dinner at the race track the sew.
eral companies were taken in hand by
committees from their several home
towns and escored to special trains to
carry them home.
Some of the boys, though, decided to-
remain in the city over night, the re-.
suit being that the streets were filled
with soldiers and those helping them
to enjoy themselves.