The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-15
PRAISE FOR VOLUNTEERS.
THE PRESIDENT SENDS GREETING
TO THE FIRST NEBRAsKANS.


TO THE FIRST NEBRAsKANS.
"They stood by the Flag and Kept 1t Stain
lsss''-Assistant Secretary of War Meikls-
ioha Reviews Their Brilliant Record
Fitting Rebuke to Atkinson and His Crew.
LINCOLN. Neb.. Sept. 14-Before an audience
OF 10000 persons at the reunion grounds this
afternoon. Assistant Secretary OF War Meikle-
john delivered the welcome OF the National
Administration to the retured First Nebraska
Regiment In the morning big parade. par
ticipated In BY members OF @. A. r.. soldiers
OF the three State regiments, National Guards
men and Cadets. was held and the battle flags
Of the three regiments formally returned to
the State with appropriate ceremonies.
Mr.. Mekleiohn said: 1T 10 with deep re-
gret that have to announce to you that affairs
OF state preclude President Mckinley from be-
ing present with us on this occasion. To tho
Volunteers OF Nebraska he sends BY me his
greetings and congratulations. In these words
Pressure OF public business prevents me
from accepting the very cordial invitation ex
tended to participate in the welcome to be
accorded to the First Nebraska Volunteers at
Lincoln. 1t is a source OF great regret to me
that shall be unable to be present. and while
cannot give myself that pleasure. 1 am glad
to have this opportunity to express to the
officers and mon OF the regiment my sincere
greetings and congratulations. The Nebraska
Volunteers were among the first to respond to
the call OF the Executive How oonspcuously
they have realized every patriotic expectation
10 known to their State and the country.
With the other:splendid regiments OF voun-
teers and Regulars. they rendered devoted and
accomplishing service: for months they re-
fused to avail themselves OF the privilege Of
musterout; they sustained and strengthened
the Government; they stood by the flag and
kept 1t stainless. At this time Of home coming
and reunion 1t is a source Of deep qualification
that the health Of the regiment is good. its
morals Of the best. and that the losses sus-
tanned have been no greater although relative-
ly larger than In most Of those serving In the
Philippines. Our thoughts 20 out to the absent
ones. who by sickness or death have made de-
voted sacrifice in the nations service. The
families OF these brave men have our loving
sympathy and the heroism OF their deeds will
grow brighter with each passing year. send
every good wish that the welcome given to the
First Nebraska may be most generous and
patriotic"
Assistant Secretary Meikleiohn's speech re-
viewed the brilliant work OF the Nebraska reRi-
ment and he paid tribute to Col. stotsen berg.
who fell at the head Of his regiment. The As
Bistant Secretary said In part:
Inspired with patriotism and love Of ooun-
try. surrounded with the blessings of a deep
rooted prosperity in nation and State. We
whom both are dus.she heroes q II lie First
the instruction. the electric key has been
telling to us your gallant and courageous CON
rected the shot was OF the First Nebraska.
The Tn, soldier vas right. the order was right. the
Tho dignity Of warfare. the glory Of a soldier.
The only thing which can deprive you OF your
well earned honor and distinction among the
.ssS oa al hS and TIA.
4: ssss :2:s s ::ssssss III
s b.se r that dstsns ses ans
the Cause s you dsfsndeS arc one and insspsra-
ss s. tSa Sns. s BE-
me terrible strain from pent.up feelings.
f RsR 81 respect q our people
Which them shore
to shore. has been metamorphosed into a spec
sSsns Tie tragedy Of vs.
What these mighty RSsth.r9gs emSged
for your release from military service In the
Orient You were as willing to fight under the
reeton in territory q our nation IN the FAR
East as against foreign foe
You have never stopped to weigh in the
balance whether the vaporings Of Atkinson
action: You followed Aguinaldo. j. is true.
prompted to follow him by devotion to your
flag. not ny the sound Of the gold whistle he
wears around his neck You faced tho insur-
rection against our flag with q consciousness
that therein lay your duty. The meeting OF
such duty by the nation. whenever and where:
ever Il has arisen. has always characterized
the American people. While your path Of
duty Inns been one OF trials and experiences
unknown to any army OF the Republic. you
have traversed it with loyalty and fidelity. and
y9u now reap tho hard learned. but unstinted
endorsement OF your fellow citizens. These
receptions in themselve are a fitting rebuke
to these gold whisters. and their followers.
Spain purchased peace by buying Aguinaldo.
but we. for the we fare and protection Of peo,
pie buried in darkness and superstition and
Ignorance OF our free institutions deny him
and will destroy his power and pretensions.
This nation will never surrender downtrod-
den, ignorant people. whose former sovereign
tv OF tyranny has been supplanted with one OF
liberty. to one who offers to his benighted
countrymen service under his autocracy or
death to one whose ideas Of rable war
fare Justify the massacre OF innocent women
and children. and the selling OF unarmed nom
combantonts to hold for ransom.