Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-09-14
McKINLEYS WELCOME
Greets Tenth Pennsylvania With
Patriotic UtteranCas.
The Map Of the Quilted States Enlarged
and the JuriAdictiou OF Liberty
Extended-ilany brilliant
Victories Won.

On Monday, August Is, PRESIDENT
Mckinley, at the head of lagss pro-
cession, escorted the Tenth Pennsyl-
sylvania, from Allegheny TO Schenley
Park in Pittsbul gh, and there. in the
presence CT an immense audience, wei
coined them: His address is us fol
lows:
Governor Stone and Fellow Citi-
zens:-I am glad to participate with
the families, friends and fellow citi-
zens Of the Tenth Pennsylvania yolun-
teers in this glad reunion.
you have earned The plaudits, not
alone of the people OF Pennsylvania,
but of the whole nation. Your return
has been the signal for a great DEM
onstration of popular regard, from
your landing in the Golden Gate on
the Pacific to your homecoming, and
here you find a warmth OF welcome
and a greeting from joyous hearts
which tell better than words the esti-
mate of your countrymen, and their
high appreciation of the services you
have rendered the country. You made
secure and permanent 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 juris-
diction of American liberty.
"But while we share in the joy that
Is yours, there remain with us soften
ed and hallowed memories of those
who went forth with you, not found in
your ranks today. Your noble colonel,
devoted to his men, beloved by his
command and respected by his supe-
rior officers, gave his life to his coun-
try, with many others of his comrades.
The nation sorrows with the bereaved.
These heroes died for their country,
and there is no nobler death.
"0ur troops represented the courage
and conscience, the purpose and pa
triotism, of their country. Whether in
Cuba, Porto Rico or the Philippines,
or at home awaiting orders, they did
their full duty, and all sought the post
of greatest peril. They never faltered.
The Eighth army corps in the Philip.
pines has made proud and excep-
tonal record. Privileged to be mus
tered out in April, when the ratitica.
lions of the treaty Of peace were ex-
changed, they did not claim the priv
lege-they declined it. They volun-
tairily remained in the service and de-
clared their purpose to stay until their
places could be filled by new levies.
and longer if the government needed
them. Their service-and they under
stood twas not to be in camp or
garrison, free from danger but on
the battle line, where exposure and
death confronted them, and where
both have eXacted their victims.
"They did not stack arms. They did
not run away. They were not serv-
ing the insurgents in the Philippines
or their sympathizers at home.
"They had no part or patience with
The men, few in number, happily, who
would have rejoiced to have seen
them lay down their arms in the pres
ence of an enemy whom they had just
emancipated from Spanish rule, and
who should have been our frmest
friends.
"They furnished an example of de-
votion and sacrifice which will bright
en- the glorious record of American
valor. They have secured not alone
the gratitude of the government and
the people, but for themselves and
their descendants an imperishable dis
They may not fully appreci-
ate, and the country may not, the
heroism of their conduct and its i'm
portant support to the government. |
think | do, and so | am here to ex-
press it.
"The mighty army of volunteers and
regulars, numbering over 100000,
which, last year responded to the call
OF the government with an alacrity
without precedent or parallel, by the
terms of their enlistment were to be
out, with all of the regulars
above $1,000, when peace with Spain |
was effected. Peace brought us the
by treaty cession from
Spain. The senate of the United |
States ratified the treaty. Every step
was taken in obedience to the require
ments of the constitution.
ut became our territory and is ours,
rs much as the Louisiana purchase,
Dr. Texas or Alaska.
"A body of insurgents in no sense
representing the sentiment of the peo-
pie of the islands disputed our lawful
and even before the ratifca. |
lion OF the treaty by the American
senate were attacking the very forces
Who fought for and secured their free
lon.
This was the situation in April.
1899, the date of the exchange of rat-
only $1,000 regulars
subject to the unqaestioned direction
VI the executive. and they for the most
'art on duty in Cuba and Porto Rico,
" invaded at ho@e after their Sc
'ere campaign in the tropics. Even
lad they been available il would have
eqnircd months to transport them to
he Philippines. Practically new
rmy had to be created. These loyal
'olunteers in the Philippines said:
We will stay until the government
an organize an army at home and !
transport it to the seat of hoslIities. |
hey did stay, cheerfully, uncomplain
ngly patriotically. They suffered |
md sacrificed, they fought and fell.
hey drove back and repulsed the reb-
Is who resisted federal authority and
Who with force attacked the soyer-