The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1899-09-14
M'KINLEY ON THE WAR.
Eloquent Tribute to Returned
Pennsylvania Troops.
TAGALs WE'RE THE AaeREssoRs.

Gallant Patriotism of the American
Troops and the Philippine Roll of
Honor - He Leaves the "Ungracioua
Task Of Justification and Eulogy" OF
Aguinaldo to the Democrats.
President McKinley's speech at
Pittsburg on Monday, Aug. %, on the
occasion Of the reception rendered the
Tenth Pennsylvania regiment on its
return from the Philippines was one
OF the finest examples of patriotic elo-
quence which has been heard in many
months, as we'll as one of the best re-
views of the war in the Philippines
that has yet been presented to the
American people. 1t should be read by
in full is as follows:
Governor Stone and my fellow-cit-
izens: I am glad to participate with
the families, friends and fellow-citi-
zens of the Tenth Pennsylvania vol
unteers in this glad reunion.
You have earned the plaudits, not
alone of the people of Pennsylvania,
but of the whole nation. Your return
has been the signal for a great demon
stration of popular regard. From your
landing at the Golden Gate in the Pa
cific to your homecoming here you
find warmth of welcome and a greet
ing of joyous hearts, which tell better
than words the estimate of your coun-
trymen, and their high appreciation Of
the services you have rendered the
| country. You made secure and per-
manent the victofy of Dewey. You
added new glory to American arms.
| You and your brave comrades en-
gagged on other fields have enlarged
the map of the United States and ex-
| tended the jurisdiction of American
| liberty.
A Glorious Record.
But while we share in the Joy that
is yours, there remain with us soft
ened and hallowed memories of those
who went forth with you, not found in
your ranks today. Your noble colonel,
devoted to his men, beloved by his
command and respected by his SUI
perior officers, gave his life to his
country, with many others of his COM
rades. The nation sorrows with the
bereaved. These heroes died for their
country, and there is no nobler death.
and conscience, the purpose and pa
triotism of 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 Philip
pines have made proud and excep-
tional record. Privileged to be mus
tered out in April, when the ratifica-
! ffOuo nf tho treaty nf naacn worn oy-
changed. they did not claim the priv
ilege-they declined it. They volun-
tarily remained in the service and de-
clared their purpose to stay until their
places could be filled by new levies,
and longer IL the government needed
them. Their service-and they under
stood it-was 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.
Did Not stack Arms.
They did not stack arms. They did
not run away They were not serving
the insurgents in the Philippines, or
their sympathizers at home. They
had no part or patience with the men,
few in number happily, who would
have rejoiced to have seen them lay
down their arms in the presence of an
enemy whom they had just emanci-
pated from Spanish rule, and who
should have been their firmest friends.
They furnished an example of devo-
tion and sacrifice which will brighten
the glorious record of American valor.
They have secured not alone the graf
itude Of the government and the peo-
pie, but for themselves and their de-
scendants an imperishable distinction.
They may not fully appreciate, and
the country may not. the heroism of
their conduct and its important sup
port to the government. think do,
and so am here to express it.
The mighty army of volunteers and
regulars, numbering over 100000,
which last year responded to the call
of the government with an alacrity
without precedent or parallel, by the
terms of their enlistment were to be
mustered out with all of the regulars
above 27 900 when peace was affected.
Peace brought us the Philippines by
treaty cession from Spain. The SEN
ate of the United States ratified the
treaty. Every step taken was in obedi-
ence to the requirements OF the con-
stitution. 1t became our territory and
is 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
i 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 $1,000 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 it would have re-
quired months to transport them to
the Philippines. Practically new
army had to be created. These loyal
volunteers in the Philippines said:
I'VE will stay until the government
can organize an army at home and
transport it to the seat of hostilities'
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