Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-06-26
ROUGH RIDERS
Enjoying Their First Reunion
at Las Vegas, N. NJ.
Governor Roosevelt Lays Aside the
Duties and Care of State
For Opportunity Of Grasping Hands Of Men Of
His Old Regiment.
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Las Vegas, y. NJ. June 25.-More
than 1000 visitors are already in Las
Vegas to attend the first annual re-
union Of the society Of Rough Riders,
which began, Saturday. Several thou
sand more are expected.
The town is everywhere gay in bunt-
ing and in cavalry yellow. though its
decorations are sadly bedraggled by
heavy rain. The city's public park has
been converted into encampment
grounds with regulation tents, and the
Rough Riders will be literally cared
for.
Coy. Otero and staff and Gov. Muir
ply Of Arizona. are here. The govern
or of Colorado is represented by for
mer GOV. Alva Adams and his military
staff. The governor Of Chihuahua.
Mex, has sent his magnificent band.
The fireworks exhibition will include a
pyrotechnic representation Of the san
Juan fight.
The forenoon was largely taken up
with preparations for the reception Of
Gov. Roosevelt. Gov. Otero and the
mayor headed a committee which met
the Rough Riders colonel at Ration.
near the state line. Saturday morning
After an exchange Of greetings. Gov
Otero rendered the freedom Of New
Mexico to the party.
The party left here for Ration, at $50
\. NJ, Saturday. and included citizens
Of this place, a committee of Rough
Riders, GOV. OterO ana staff and Mayor
II. G. Coors of Las Vegas.
Coy. Roosevelt delivered an eloquent
address to the men who fought under
him.
Col. Roosevelt said in part:
Just at this time I would not have
left New York state for any purpose
save to attend the reunion Of my old
regiment. and for that purpose | would
have gone to Alaska, or anywhere
else. for the bond that unites US to one
another is as close as any bond of hu-
man friendship can be.
lit was our good fortune to be among
those accepted when the country called
to arms a year ago last spring. and
when 10 men volunteered for every one
that could be chosen. l think l may
say without Boosting that the regiment
did its duty in every way, and that its
record is subject for honorable pride.
not only to the members themselves
but the country at large
Il am proud of you because you
never complained and never fiinched. |
When you went to war you knew YOU |
would not have an easty time you eX- |
oected to encounter hardships and you |
took them without murmur. You |
we're all readiness 10 learn and to show |
that obedience, which makes it posi- |
Die to turn the American volunteer so
soon into a first-class type of fighting |
man.
of those who landed for the brief
in the tropical midsummer
against Santiago. one-fourth We're kill
I'd or wounded. and three-fourths of
he remainder We're al one time or an
pther stricken down by fever. Many
lied, but there is not one among you
o poor in spirit that he does not count
ever wounds and death itself as moth
n9 compared with the honor of hav-
ng been able to serve with the regi-
nent under the flag OF the United
states, in one of the most righteous
vars the country has ever seen.
This was a typical American regi-
nent The majority Of its members
anne from the Southwest. but not all.
We had in our ranks Fasteners, West
rners, Northerners Southerners. Cath
lies, Protestants. Jews, Centiles-men
whose parents We're born in Germany
r Ireland. and men whose parents
we're born on the banks of the James.
he Hudson and at Plymouth Rock
early three centuries ago, and all ,
we're Americans in heart and soul, in |,
pirit and approximations. and ,
othing else.
We knew no distinction of creed. |
birthplace or residence. All we cared
or was that a man should do his duty.
hould show himself alert, patient and
nduring. good in camp and on the
larch, and valiant in battle.
My comrades. the regiment was but
microcosm of our great country. and
he principles which enabled us to
lake so much out of it are those upon
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