The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-29

ulars, numbering over 100000, which last
year responded to the call 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 regiments above $1,000 when peace
was effected with Spain. Peace brought
us the Philippines by treaty cession from
Spain. The senate Of the United States
ratified the treaty.
Every step taken was In obedience
TO the requirements of the constitu.
ton.
1t became our territory and is ours as
much as the Louisiana purchase or Texas
or Alaska. The body of the insurgents,
in no sense representing the sentiment of
the people OF the islands, disputed our
laws and even before the ratification OF
the treaty by the American senate were
attacking the very forces who fought for
and secured their freedom.
This was the situation In April, 1899,
the date of the exchange of ratifications-
with only $1,000 regulars subject to the
unquestioned direction of the executive,
and they for the most part on duty In
Cuba and Porto Rico or invaded at Tome
after their severe campaign in the tropics.
Even had they been available it would
have required months TO transport them
to the Philippines Practically new Amy
had to be created These loyal volun-
teers in the Philippines said: I'VE VIII
stay until the government can organize
an army at home and transport it to the
scene of hostilities' They stayed chser-
fully, uncomplainingly, periodically. They
suffered and sacrificed; they fought and
fell; they drove back and punished the
rebels. 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 it's first ignomlny.
The brilliant victories of the army and
navy in the bay and city of Manila would
have been won in vain, or our obliga-
lions to civilization would have remained
temporarily unperformed. chaos would
have reigned and whatever government
there was would have been by the will of
one man and NOT BY THE CONSENT
OF THE GOVERNED. Who refused to
sound the retreat? Who stood in the
breach when others weakened? Who re-
sisted the suggestion of the unpatriotic
that they should come home?
Let me call the roll of the regiments
and battalions that deserve to be perpe-
tuated in the Nations annals. Their action
was not sudden impulse under excite
ment, but deliberate determination to
sustain. at the cost of life if need be, the
honor of their government and the author
ity of its flag: First California artillery,
First Colorado. First Idaho, Fifty first
Iowa, Twentieth Kansas, Thirteenth Min
nescta, First Montana, First Nebraska.
First North Dakota Nevada cavalry, Sec
ond Oregon. Tenth Pennsylvania, First
South Dakota. First Tennessee, Utah artil-
lery First Washington
To these must be added about 1000 en-
listed men of the regular army who were
entitled to their discharge under the peace
proclamation of April IL. 1893, the greater
portion of whom participated in the en-
gagements of the Eighth corps and are still
performing arduous services In the field.
Nor must the navy be forgotten. Sixty
five devoted sailors participated in the en-
gagements of May 1 in Manila bay whose
terms of service had previously expired,