The times., 1899-09-15
SOLDIERS OF NEBRASKA.
Formally Welcomed Home From
Service in the PhiIsppfues

wv IN NHC GnttzDDrueq.
LINCOLN. Neb., Sept. 14-Before an au-
dienee of 10000 persons at the reunion
grounds this afternoon George D. Meikle
john, Assistant Secretary of War, delivered
the welcome of the National Administra-
tion to the returned First Nebraska Regi-
ment of volunteers. In the morning a big
parade, participated in by members of the
g. A. r. and soldiers of all three regiments,
National Guardsmen, and cadets. was held
mally returned to the State with appro-
pirate ceremonies. Mr.. Meikleiohn said:
1T is with deep regret that 1 have to
announce to you that affairs of state pre-
clude President Mckinley from being pres
ent with US on this occasion. To the vol
unteers of Nebraska he sends by me his
greetings and congratulations in these
words: Pressure of public business pre-
vents me from accepting the very cordial
invitation extended to participate in the
welcome to be accorded to the First Ne
braska Volunteers at Lincoln 1t is
source of great regret to me that ! shall
be unable to be present, and while cannot
give myself that pleasure am glad to have
this opportunity to express to the officers
VI lue regiment SiuCeIS SfSSI-
ings and congratulations The Nebraska
volunteers were among the first to respond
to the call of the Executive. How eonspic-
uously they have realized every patriotic
expectation is known TO their State and
the country. With the other splendid regi-
ments of volunteers and regulars they rem
dered devoted and uncompIaining service.
For months they refused to avail them
selves of the privilege to muster out. They
sustained and strengthened the Govern
ment; they stood by the flag and kept ii
stainless. At this time of homecoming and
reunion it is a source of deep qualification
that the health of the regiment is good,
its morale of the best, and that the losses
sustained have been no greater, although
relatively larger than in most of those
serving in the Philippines. Our thoughts
go cut to the absent ones who by sickness
or death have made devoted sacrifices in
the nations service. The families of these
brave men have our loving sympathy. and
the heroism of their deeds will grow
brighter with each passing year l send
every good wish that the welcome given
to the First Nebraska may be most generous
and patriotic.
Mr.. Meiklejohn's speech reviewed the
brilliant work of the Nebraska regiment,
and he paid tribute to Colonel Stcts NIB re-
who fell at the head of his regiment. The
Assistant Secretary said, in part;
Inspired with patriotism and love Of
country, surrounded with the blessings Of
a deep-rooted prosperity in nation and in
State, we come today TO praise and honor
those to whom both are dua-the heroes of
the First Nebraska. From the hour the
sentry Of your regiment fired the first shot
against the insurrection, the electric kew
has been telling to US your gallant and
courageous conduct. The order OF that
sentry was Halt The disobedience OF it
was shot. The one who directed the shot
was of the First Nebraska. The soldier
was right, the order was right, the shot
was right.
THE dignity of warfare, the glory of
soldier, depends upon the cause for which
he fights The only thing which can de-
prive you of your weII-earned honor and
distinction among the nations of the earth
is to declare that you fought for al igno-
bic and unrighteous cause. Let him who
undertakes such a mission beware lest
he place himself in the Infamous cate
CORY headed by that prince of traitors
Benedict Arnold. You have never stopped
to weigh in the balance whether the yapor
ings of Atkinson and anti-AmericanS
should guide you in your actions You
followed Aguinaldc, it is true, because
he fled before you. You were prompted
to follow him by devotion TO your flag,
not by the sound OF the gold whistle he
wears around his neck You faced the
insurrection against our flag with con-
sciousness that therein lay your duty.
The meeting of such duty by the nation
whenever and wherever it has arisen, has
always characterized the American beople.
While your path Of duty has been one of
trial and experiences unknown TO any
army of the Republic. you have trayersed
it with loyalty and fidelity, and you Tow
reap the hard-earned but unstinted en-
dorsement OF your fellow citizens. These
receptions in themselves are fitting re-
buke to these gold whistiers and their fol-
lowers"