The record-union., 1899-06-26
Words Of Praise and Recognition for the
Veterans.
After the Regiments Parade Had
Been Reviewed by Colonel
Roosevelt, He Was Presented by
Hon. Frank Springer, on Behalf
Of the Citizens Of New Mexico,
With q Beautiful Medal Of
Gold.

mt rial service was the first thing on
the Rough Riders reunion program to-
day They were held at II o'clock this
morning at the Duncan Opera-house,
and Rev. Thomas A. Uzzel, pastor of
the Peoples Tabernacle Of Denver, Col,
preached the memorial sermon. He
said that the soldier who is forced to
remain behind is worthy of praise and
recognition as we'll as the man who is
at the front. The Rough Riders, he de-
clared, have by their acts at San Juan
and in the fighting around Santiago
succeeded in writing one of the bright
est pages in American history. Their
deeds would be read by coming genera
tons, and would enkindle a new view
of country and an admiration for true
heroism.
Lafe Young, editor of the Iowa State
Capital" then delivered an address
Mr.. Young served with the Rough
Riders, and his recital of the regiments
experience at Tampa and San Antonio
found a responsive echo in the hearts
of the assembled Rough Riders.
ION the plains of Cuba" he said,
when I saw the sons of veterans
marching beneath the flag which their
fathers died to save, and the sons of
Confederates clothed in the same uni
form, bearing the same arms and
marching under the same flag, and the
sons of former slaves accoutremented
and armed like the others, with the
flag above them and the same purpose
in their hearts. and 100 native born,
full blood Indians selected in the same
lfranc nd ,s1
1 saw these I made a vow to high
heaven never to be partisan again; that
henceforth and forever all Americans
should look alike to me-"
The reginGntal parade took place this
afternoon at 4 o'clock The regiment
formed at Camp Cochran and marched
to the tournament grounds, six blocks
away. Colonel Roosevelt rode as com
mandssr, accompanied by staff of off,
GERS. At the tournament grounds Col
onel Roosevelt occupied a box reserved
for him and the guests of the regiment
AS the Rough Riders passed and re-
passed the grand stand in performing
their evolutions, Colonel Roosevelt
stood with barred head. Each troop
was preceded by it's respective Captain,
as far as they were present on the one
occasion. The scene was witnessed by
fully 10000 people When the review
was going on rainclouds were banking
heavily in the north and Chairman
Whitmore of the local Committee on
Arrangements requested the Colonel to
hurry the movements of the Rough
Riders, ostensibly on account of the
approaching showers. Colonel Roose-
welt complied with the request. and in
another instant the troopers were
standing at attention in front Of the
grand stand. This was neat bit OF
strategy, and before Colonel Roosevelt
could realize why he was being spoken
to Hon. Frank Springer, acting on be-
half of the people of New Mexico, be-
gan his speech, presenting Colonel
Roosevelt with a medal.
After warmly eulogizing Colonel
Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, Mr..
Springer said:
1T is in recognition of the honor we
enjoy from being thus. associated with
your name that l am commissioned by
the people of New Mexico to offer you
a testimonial, which shall bear witness
In permanent form to the esteem in
|
of your character as an American citi-
zen, and their admiration for your con-
spicuous gallantry in battle. They also
wish to indicate their devotion to your
fortunes in whatever civic honors the
future has in store for you-whether
they come from the Empire State which
claims you now, or from call to YET
higher duties and responsibilities by
the nation itself. This token, of which
am about to beg your acceptance, is
the product of humble contributions
from every part of this Territory. It
comes from no man or set of men. but
it is the united offering of your old
comrades in arms and their brothers.
fathers and fellow-citizens who sent
them forth to battle under your leader
ship.
Permit me, therefore, in the name
of the people of New Mexico, to pre-
sent you with this medal of homer. It's
intrinsic value is but trif1e, but we
venture to hope that as memorial Of
the affection, admiration and esteem
which 1T represents, it may have for
you value not measured by such a
standard, and that you may cherish It
as an agreeable souvenir Of your visit
among u.s.
The medal is of solid gold The medal
is pendant from a bar by chains, W
shaped with the ends attached to the
bar and joined to the medal at the cen
ter. On the bar are the words Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt" Between the bar
and the medal the coat-of-arms of New
Mexico is engraved. On the medal
proper are crossed sabers and above
them is the monogram '.R. r. r." be-
low the. sabers is the wording. Pre-
scented by the citizens of New Mexico
Las Vegas, N. NJ, June "a, $780," On
the circular edge of the medal proper
are the words, San Juan, /" Las Guas-
mas" Santiago" In the center, just
below the crossed sabers, is brilliant
diamond.
The presentation was a, genuine sur
prise to Colonel Roosevelt. Mr. Spring.
err handed the medal to his young
daughter, Miss Eva, who pinned it on
the lapel Of Colonel Roosevelt's Rough