The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-08-29

L hfHhfu tut tTutH hHo CoubCAchCSf tlo
pure and the patriotism OF their coun-
try. 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 Philippines has made .
proud and exceptional record. Priu-
legged 10 be mustered out in April when
the ratlncatIOnsl Of the treaty OF peace
were exchanged. they did not claim
the privilege tAsy declined Il They
voluntarily remained in the service and
declared their purpose 70 stay until
their places could be hlled BY new lev
les. and longer II the government need
ed their services. and they understood Il
was not 70 be in camp or garrison, free
from danger. but on the battle line
were exposure and death confronted
them and where both have exacted
their victims ~t
They did not stack arms. They did
not run away. They were not serving
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
rejolced 70 have seen them lay down
their arms In the presence Of an enemy
whom they had just emancipated
from Spanish rule. and who should
have been our firmest friends. They
furnished an example Of devotion and
sacrifice which win brighten the
glorious record II American valor.
They have secured not alone the graf
Itude Of the government and the peo-
pie, but for themselves and their de-
scendants an !mpershable destination.
They may not fully appreciate. and the
country may not. the herolsm Of their
conduct and It's important support to
the government. think do and so
| am here to express It.
The mighty army Of volunteers and
regulars. numbering over 25o.Ooo. which
last year responded to the call Of the
government with an alacrity without
precedent parallel, by the terms OF
their enlistment were to be mustered
out with all OF the regulars above ~
900 men when peace with Spain was ef-
fected. Peace brought up the Philip
pines by treaty cessIon from Spain.
The senate of the United States rati-
/ fed the treaty Every step taken was
In obedience 10 the. requirements Of that
legislation. 1t became our territory
and is ours as much as the Louisiana
purchase or Texas or Alaska. A body
OF insurgents. in no sense representing
Z the sentiment Of the people OF the ISL
and. disputed our lawful authority and
even before the ratification Of the
treaty by the American senate were
attacking the very forces who fought
/ for and secured their freedom.
This was the situation in April, 1899.
the date OF the exchange Of the ratih-
cations-wi,h only 2IOOo regulars sub
jeot to the unqestioned direction of the
executives, and they for the most part
on duty in Cuba and Porto Rico, or
invallded at home after their severe
campaign in the tropics. Even had they
been available It would have required
months to transport them to the Phil
ippincs. Practically new army had to
be createi These loyal volunteers in
the Philippines said; We win stay
until the government can organize an
army at home and transport them to
the seat Of hostilities.'
They did stay. cheertully. uncom-
plainingly. patriotically. They suffered
and SACRIFICED they fought and fell;
they drove back and punished the reb-
els who resisted federal authority, and
who with force attacked the sovereign
ty Of the United States in its newly
acquired territory. Without them then
we would have been practically help
less on land, our flag would have had
Its first stain and the American name
its first lgnominy, The brilliant vic
tories OF the army and navy in the
bay and the city of Manila would have
been won in vain, our obligations to
civilization would have remained tenn
porarily unperformed, chaos would
have reigned, and whatever govern
ment there was would have been by
the will of one man and not by the
consent Of the governed. Who refused
to sound the retreat? Who stood In
the breach when others weakened?
Who resisted the suggestion of the un-
patriotic that they should come home?
Let me call the roll Of the regiments
and battalions that deserve to be per-
petuated in the nations annals, Their
action was not a. sudden impulse under
excitement but deliberate determlna-
ton to sustain. at the cost of life if
need be, the honor of their government
and the authority Of its flag;
First California, California artillery,
First Colorado First Idaho, Fifty-frst
Iowa, Twentieth Kansas, Thirteenth
Minnesota. First Montana, First Ne
braska, First North Dakota, Nevada
cavalry, Second Oregon, Tenth Pen
nsylvania, First South Dakota, First
Tennessee, Utah artillery, First Wash
ington, First Wyoming, Wyoming bat
terry.
ITO these must be added about 1000
enlisted men of the regular army who
were entitled to their discharge under
| ,saoio ,,o+,on ~ Anril II 1890. the great