Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-09-08

Ia ours as much as the Louisiana pur-
chase. or Texas or Alaska. A body Of
insurgents, in no sense representing
the sentiment of the people of the
islands, disputed our lawful authority,
and even before the ratification OF the
treaty by the American senate were
attacking the very forces who fought
for and secured their freedom.
Loyalty of Volunteers.
This was the situation in April, 1899,
the date of the exchange of ratifica-
tions-with only 27,000 regulars sub
ject to the unquestioned direction of
the executive, and they for the most
part on duty in Cuba or Porto Rico,
or invalided at home after their severe
campaign in the tropics. Even had
they been available 1t would have re-
quired months to transport them to
the Philippines. Practically a new
army had TO be created These loyal
volunteers in the Philippines said:
1--WE will stay until the government
can organize an army at home and
transport 1t to the seat of hostiltes."
They did stay, cheerfully uncom-
plainingly, patriotically 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 SOW
eTelSHty VI IHe Unlteu otdleS III us
newly acquired territory. Without
them then and there we would have
been practically helpless on land; our
flag would have had it's first stain and
the American name it's first ignominy
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 others weakened? Who
resisted the suggestion of The unpa-
triotic that they should come home?
Let me call the roll of the regiments
and battalions that deserve to be per-
petuated in the nations annals. Their
action was not sudden impulse under
excitement, but a deliberate determin-
alton to sustain. at the cost of life,
II 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, Fiftyfirst
Iowa, Twentieth Kansas, Thirteenth
Minnesota, First Montana, First Ne
braska, First North Dakota, Nevada
cavalry, Second Oregon, Tenth Penn
sylvania, First South Dakota, First
Tennessee, Utah artillery, First Wash
ington, First Wyoming, Wyoming bat
terry.
To these must be added about 1000
enlisted men of the regular army, who
the peace proclamation of April IL,
1899; 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-five devoted sailors participated
in the engagement of May l in Ma
nilla bay, whose terms of service had
previously expired, continuing on duty
quite a 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
I 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
negotiations of the treaty of peace.
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 1T. l
take all the responsibility for that di-
rection. Otis only executed the orders
OF his government, and the soldiers,
under great provocation to strike back,
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
Mauser. The flag of truce was in
voked only to be dishonored Our SOL
diers We're shot down when ministering
to The wounded Filipino 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 insurrection 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 graft
fication of their own ambitious de-
signs, | Will leave to others the un-
gracious task of justification and eu-
logy.
Every one of these noble men, regu-
lars and volunteers, soldiers and sea-
men, who thus signally served their
country in its extremity, deserves the
special recognition Of congress, and it
will be to me an unfeigned pleasure
to recommend for each of them spe-
cial medal of honor.
Those Ht Front Remembered.
While we give you hail and greeting
from overlowing hearts, we do not
forget the brave men who remain and