The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-09-01
THE UNITED OPINION FRIDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER I, 1899

and punished the rebels who resisted
federal authority and who with force at
tackled the sovereignty of the United
States in its newly acquired territory.
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 its first
ignominy. The brilliant victories of the
army and navy in the bay and city of
Manila would have been won in vain,
our obligations to civilization would have
remained temporarily unperfornied, chaos
would have reigned, and whatever gov
eminent there was would have been by
the will of one man and not by the con-
sent 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 battal-
ions that deserve to be perpetuated in
the nations annals. Their action was
not a sudden impulse under excitement,
but deliberate determination to sustain,
at the cost of life if need be, the honor
of their government and the authority of
its flag:
First Colorado, First Idaho, Fifty-frst
Iowa, Twentieth Kansas, Thirteenth
Minnesota, First Montana, First Nebras-
ka, First North Dakota, Nevada cavalry,
Second Oregon, Tenth Pennsylvania,
First South Dakota, First Tennessee,
Utah artillery, First Washington, First
Wyoming and Wyoming battery.
ITO these must be added about 1000
enlisted men of the regular army who
were entitled to their discharge under 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 services
in the field.
"Nor must the navy be forgotten. Sixty
FIVE devoted sailors participated in the
engagement of May l in Manila bay
whose terms of service had previously
expired, continuing on duty quite year
after that action. For these men of the
army and navy we have only honor and
gratitude.
THE government to which you gave
your loyalty welcomes you to your
homes. With no blot or stain upon your
record the story of your unselhsh services
to country and to civilization viii be to
the men who take your places at the
front and on the firing line and to future
generations an example of patriotism
and an inspiration to duty"
Congressman John Dalzell followed in
an eloquent address, and on behalf of the
citizens of western Pennsylvania pre-
scented each of the commissioned officers
a sword, the chaplain a loving cup and
every man in the regiment a beautiful
medal. The presents were received by
Colonel Barnett on behalf Of the officers
and men.
General Wesley Merritt was then in
troduced and made an address on behalf
of the army.
After the soldiers had eaten late din
ner at the race track the several COM
panies were taken in hand by committees
from their several home towns and es-
corted to special trains to carry them
home. Some of the boys decided to re-
main in the city overnight, the result
being that the streets were filled with
soldiers and those who helped them to
enjoy themselves. Thus ended one of
the biggest days Pittsburg has ever seen.