Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-09-01
WELCOME TO HEROES
Big Demons .ation at Pittsbu rgh
on Return of Volunteers.
President Mckinley Delivers an Adj
dress and Thanks the Boys in Blue
for Their Devotion to
the Flag.


non booming, bells changing, whistles
shrieking, flags waving and mighty
cheHrs from hundreds of thousands of
throats, the brave Tenth Pennsylvania
volunteers were welcomed home, after
more than a years gallant service in
the Philippines. The reception ten
dered the returning soldiers will al
ways be remembered in this city as one
of the greatest demonstrations of pa
triotisn that has ever taken place in
this country
After music by the Economy band,
Maj. Lee S. Smith called the meeting to
order, and Rev. 4. n. Boyle, ID. D., de-
livered the invocation.
Gov. William A. Stone was then intro
duced as chairman of the meeting, and
delivered an address of welcome in be-
half of the state.
The Presidents Welcome.
At the conclusion of Gov. Stones ad-
dress, President Mckinley was intro
duced, and after the applause had
ceased, spoke as follows:
Gov Stone and My Fellow Citizens:
am glad to participate with the families,
friends and fellow citizens of the Tenth
HennSylNanlu volunteers III I0lS Rlau re-
union.
"You have earned the plaudlts not alone
of the people of Pennsylvania but of the
whole nation. Your return has been the
signal for a great demonstration of pop
ular regard from your landing in the
Golden Gate on the Pacific to your home
coming, and here you find a warmth of
welcome and n greeting from joyous hearts
which tell better than words the estimate
of your countrymen and their high appre-
citation of the services you have rendered
the country. You made secure and per-
manent the victory of Dewey. You added
new glory to American arms. You and
your brave comrades engaged on other
fields of conflict have enlarged the map
of the United States and extended the
jurisdiction of American liberty
HnlIowed Memories.
But while we share in the joy that Is
yours there remain with us softenSd and
hallowed memories of those who went forth
with you not found in your ranks to-day.
Your noble colonel devoted to his men,
beloved by his command and respected
by his superior officers. gave his life to his
country with many others of his comrades
The nation sorrows with the bereaved.
These heroes died for their country, and
there is no nobler death.
Noble SeIf-SacriGce.
"Our troops represented the courage and
conscience, the purpose and patriotism of
their country. Whether in Cuba, Porto
Rico or the Philippines, or at home await
ing orders, they did their full duty and
all sought the post of greatest peril. They
never faltered. The Eighth army corps in
the Philippines have made a proud and
exceptional record. Privileged to be mus
tered out in April, when the ra affiliations of
the treaty of peace were exchanged, they
did not claim the privilege-they declined
ii. They voluntarily remained in the sery-
ice and declared 1heir purpose to stay un-
til their places could be filled by new leves,
and longer If the government needed them.
Their service-and they understood it.
was not to be in camp or garrison free
from danger but on the title line, where
exposure and death confronted them and
where both have eXacted their victims.
Philippines United States Territory.
THE mighty army of volunteers and reg
ulars, numbering over 250,000. which last
year responded to the call of the govern
ment with an alacrity without precedent
or parallel. by the terms of their enlist
ment were to be mustered out, with all
of the regulars above 27O0O. when peace
with Spain was effected. Peace brought
us the Philippines, by treaty cession from
Spain. The senate ratified the treaty.
Every step taken was in obedience to the
requirements of the constitution. 1t be-
came our territory and Is ours, as much
as the Louisiana purchase, or Texas, or
Alaska. A body of insurgents in no sense
representing the sentiment of the people
of the islands disputed our lawful authori-
ty, and even before the ratification of the
treaty by the American senate were at
tacking the very forces who fought for
and secured their freedom
Patriotism of Volunteer Army.
"This was the situation in April. 1899,
| the date of the exchange of ratiications
with only 1900 regulars subject to the
unquestioned direction of the executive.
| and they for the most part on duty in
| Cuba and Porto Rico or invalided at home
| after their severe campaign in the trop-
| les. Even had they been available It
would have required months to transport
| them to the Philippines. Practically new
army had to be created. These loyal vol
| unteers in the Philippines said: We will
| stay until the government can organize
| an army at home and transport 1t to the
| seat of hostiitles.' They did stay, cheer
| fully, uncomplainingly. patr!otically. They
suffered and sacrificed they fought and
| fell, they drove back and punished the
| rebels who resisted federal authority and
who with force attacked 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 It's first
stain and the American name its first
| ignom!ny.
Have Only Our Charity and Pity.
1.-The misguided followers in rebellion
have only our charity and pity. AS to the
cruel leaders who have needlessy sacri-
| feed the lives of thousands of their peo-
| pie at the cost of some of our best blood
for the qualification of their own ambitious
| designs, / will leave to others the ungra-
cious task of justification and eulogy.
Every one of the noble men, regulars or
volunteers, soldiers or seamen, who thus
| sgnally served their country in it's eXtremi-
| ty deserves the special recognition of con-
gress, and 1t will be TO me an unfeigned
pleasure to recommend for each of them
a special medal of honor.
THE government TO which you gave your
| loyalty welcomes you 10 your home. With
| no blot or stain upon your record. the story
| OF your unselfish services TO country and to
civilization will 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"
Governor Blamed.
Washington, Aug. 20.-Brig. Gen.
Merriam, commanding the department
of Colorado has sent detailed report