The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-09-06
WORDS OF A WARRIOR.
Lieut.. Col. James Z. Barnett Ac-
cepts Gifts on Behalf of the
Officers of ths Tenth
Regiment.
From the Piitsburg Times. Aug. 10.

/ From the Pittsburg Times Aug. 10.
Lieut.. Col. Barnett, on behalf of the
officers of the regiment accepted the
swords for the officers and the loving
cup for Chaplain Hunter. His appear
ance was the signal for prolonged APP
plause. Lieut.. Col. Barnett spoke as
| follows:
'Citizens of Western Pennsylvania
On behalf of the officers of the Tenth
regiment. / thank yol for the honor
conferred upon US, and for the beauti-
ful gifts that you have this day be-
slowed. They will be cherished as
souvenirs of this occasion, and in years
10 come will be pointed to with ever
increasing pride. We eaccept them, not
as evidences of our own merit, but as
kindly expression of interest in those
who had the honor to represent this
Commonwealth in fsr-off lands. They
will recall TO US in days to come the
trials and triumphs passed through,
and will inspire us with courage as we
resume the duties of our common citi-
zenship. We do not come home to
pose as heroes, for we believe that the
sober, industrious, law-abiding citizen
is the brightest jewel in the diadem of
the State and of the Nation. (Ap-
plause.) All OF US, alas, are not here
TO receive this distinguishing mark of
your consideration. The best one of US
all, the one whose presence would a9Orn
this occasion the most, is missing. OF
all the sad occasions of our memorable
journey, the one that caused the most
profound and heartfelt grief was the
death of Colonel Hawkins. He was
universally respected aud loved, be-
cause he was fair, honorable and brave.
No more superb or gallant soldier ever
unsheathed a sword. A striking in
stance Of his loyalty to duty and of his
fearlessness of death, is shown by the
remark made by him to the surgeon,
who, in the latter part Of April last,
told him of the malignant nature of
his disease, and advised him to go
home. He received the terrible mes
sage in silence for few moments, and
then said, "The fathers and mothers of
my boys sent their sons out with me,
and they expect me to stay with them
and to come home with them and will
stay'-and he did stay. He died on the
sun-kissed Pacific, far from the tender
ministratiOns of his own household,
but surrounded by the boys who Oc-
cupied the next place TO them in his
heart.
TENDER TRIBUTE 10 HAWKINS.
'sThe annals OF history do not recite
a more patriotic life or more sublime
death than that Of Col. Alexander l.. |
Hawkins. Our other comrades sleep be- |
meath the evergreen verdure of the |
mystic East, unheedful of hOnors, un-
mindful of the struggle above them.
No more for them the shock of battle |
or the delights of home. But we be-
lieve that, in the providence of God, |
their lives have not been lost in vain,
and that in the land where they gave
up their lives, a new temple of liberty
shall arise, the home of a peaceful and
prosperous people, owing its happiness
to the American Nation. Again
thank you for the honor conferred upon
US.
"After the attack upon Manila, there
came flashing across land and sea, from
Occident to Orient, q message of con-
gratulations from the President of the
United States upon our glorious victory;
and it was glorious victory. Besieged
in Manila by well armed and conf
dent army, threatened on every
hand by thousands of armed and secret
foes, we were subjected to humiliation,
abuse and scorn by the Filipinos, who
were inspired in their plans for our de-
struction by rumOrs of assistance from
our own native land. 1t was glorious
victory, not only for the American Ma
ton, but for every civilized nation hav-
ing representatives in Luzon. Had We
been defeated, few of US would have
survived; all foreigners would have
been butchered, and the city of Ma
Mia would have been fiery hell on
earth. We tender our thanks this
day for the message then received, for
it brought right home to US the well
come assurance that the government
of the United States, with all the
resources at its command, stood ready
and willing to aid and assist US.
SUPPORT or THE PRESIDENT URGED.
"We did not discuss questions of
craftsmanship during our campaign,
bat, under the leadership of our colonel,
simply followed the flag. We believe
that duty was laid upoa this govern
ment by One to whose purposes no finite
being holds the key, and that although
in the fulfillment of this duty blood
has been shed, and, in its further per-
formance, still more may be shed, yet
the history of our own nation demon
strates that God sometimes sweeps the
path of progress with a bloody broom.
We believe that this is no time for the
discussion of policy, bat that it is the
duty of every citizen loyal to his ma
tion, and who desire to see the nations
of the earth respect Il e flag that we
adore, to support and uphold the hands
of the chief executive of this govern
ment in his efforts to establish, as
speedily as possible triumphant peace.
We believe that no soldier will willing
Iy consent that the flag should ever be
withdrawn from a land cOnsecrated
with American blood.
ain dreams this hour has come to US;
but fancy, in her widest flights never
pictured such a scene. We were sur
prised by the welcome which spanned
the continent and grasped our hands
before we had set foot upon our native
soil; which accompanied US across the
continent and has eliminated in the
unparalleled reception of to-day. We
have been appalled, by the wealth of
demonstration-the President of the
United States officers of military re-
nown; the Governor of our Common
wealth; Governors and representatives
of sister States; the wonderful con-
Il o.,strao of friandS and naiOhhora 10 ho