The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-15
tai KED TO VOLUNTEERS
Mckinley Praised the Men of
the South Dakota Regiment.
THE NATION is GRATEFUL
An Example OF Public Conservation
Rarely Known in Wharf.-The Troops
Were for Five Months on
- the Firing Line.

Aberdeen, S. D.. Oct. 14-At o'clock
this morning President McKinley's spe-
cial train arrived in this city over the
Milwaukee road. At the depot large
crowd gathered to see the first presi-
dent of the United States who has ever
visited the Dakotas since statehood.
The LIST South Dakota volunteers who
arrived to-day from the Philippines fell
in line behind the escort of G. A. r.
veterans, who followed Immediately
after the carriage of the president and
cabinet
Colonel Frost rode at the head of his
regiment and as they passed before the
reviewing stand and the grain palace.
THE 5000 inhabitants of Aberdeen
cheered and were reinforced by several
thousand visitors from other parts of
the state. Addresses were made by
President Mckinley and the cabinet,
Governor Low and others. The presi-
dent said:
Mr.. Mayor, Members of the LIST South
Dakota Volunteers and Fellow Citizens:
1t gives me very great pleasure to join
with our fellow citizens of the state of
South Dakota, your friends, your fam
lilies, your neighbours, in this welcome to
your home. We are not a nation of
hero worshipers and yet we are a ma
ton of 70,000000 of grateful people who
love valor and reward the heroic deeds
of our soldiers and | think appreciate
the value of the services this regiment,
with its associates of the Sth army
corps, rendered the country in its hour
of great emergency. And l am here to
speak, not for myself alone, but for the
whole American people in expressions
of gratitude and thanks for your heroic
action in the island of Luzon
Il have with me this morning dis
patch, just received from your com
mander the major general command
ing in the Philippines, telling me of the
gallantry of Colonel Frost and his regi
ment. telling me that from early in
February until late in June, you stood
on the firing line and no enemy could
resist your onslaughts upon them. Nor
can I forget, soldiers of the republic,
that when the treaty of peace was
pending, when negotiations were being
conducted in Paris, when the ratifica-
ton of the treaty was awaiting the ac-
ton of the senate and finally when we
were awaiting the exchange of the rati-
fication with Spain: do not forget that
when that time came every one of you
was entitled to be mustered out of the
service of the United States. and | can
never express the joy you gave my
heart when you sent word that you
be formed to take your places.
THAT, members of the South Dakota,
was an example of personal sacrifice
and public conservation rarely known
in the annals of war. but it is just like
the American soldier. No matter where
he comes from, he never lays down his
arms in the presence of an enemy and
he never lowers the flag of his country
until he has triumphed over enemies
who assail it."
A voice, I'VE will never leave there
until they are all licked
II am glad to see the veterans of 1851
with the veterans of 1898. 1t is all the
same kind of patriotism you got from
your fathers. 1t is a patriotism that
never deserts and never encourages de-
sertion. But. my fellow citizens and
members of the list South Dakota, you
have just come home and | know you
want to get nearer home and l shall
not detain you a moment longer except
to say to you that thank you for your
splendid services to the country;
thank you for standing faithful and
unfaltering on the battle line; / thank
you for preserving our flag stainless
/ thank you for waiting in the trenches
until the end came. l thank you fol
having transferred this banner 20 those
who succeeded you without dishonol
and without blot, and where that is it
stands for liberty. humanity and civil
ization.'
The train bearing the presidential
party left Aberdeen at 1880 o'clock for
Huron.