The Portland daily press., 1899-06-26
TALKED TO His MEN.
Roosevelt Addresses
Rough Riders.
Reunion Famous Cavalry Regiment
in Las Vegas.
Enthusiastic Greeting
To Old Colonel.
Characteristic Speech BY New
York's Governor On

Las Vegas. N. NJ, June 24.-when the
train bearing Gov. Roosevelt and party
reached Raton today . large crowd had
assenahled and the Governor was pre-
sentsd with floral Offering. The COVER.
nor snade short address, recounting
the deeds of New Mexico's rough riders
and complimenting the citizens of the
territory upon the reputation the rough
riders had conferred upon It At SPRING
er thaScinsens presented the Colonel with
fioral wreath. At Wagon Mound. there
was an ovation and the schoolchIldren
sang America
A party of Rough Riders and citizens
of New Mexico met Gov. Roosevelt and
party at Wagon Mound. Gov. Roosevelt
arrived here at l.80 o'clock this afternoon
and was greeted with tremendous cheer
ing from 5000 persons massed around the
depot. The Governor wac almost lifted
from his feet by the press of persons
anxious to grasp his hand. As he and his
party made the way slowly to the Cas-
tsna hotel, the crowd surged after him.
As he walked down the depot sidewalk
a line Of Rough Rider veterans saluted
and joined In the general ovation. When
Gov. Roosevelt came, opposite the line
of Rough Riders he commenced shaking
hands with the troopers and he gave them
q most cordial creating.
The business nesting Of the Rough
Regimental association was held in the
Duncan opera house. An address of well
come on behalf of the citizens Of Las
Vegas was made by A. A. Jones, Col.
Roosevelt responded. His remarks were
at times enthusiastically applauded.
COLONEL ROoSEvELT'S SPMECH.
Colonel Roosevelt said In part: "Just
at this time would not have left New
York state for any purpose save to attend
the reunion Of my old regiment, and for
that purpose would have gone to Alas
ka, or anywhere else, for this bond that
unites rs to one another is as CLOSE as any
bond of human friendship can be. 1t was
our good fortune to be among those &C.
cspted when the country called to arms a
year ago last spring, and when ten men
volunteered for every one that could be
chosen. think may say wi thout
boasting that the regiment did its duty
In every way and that its record is SUBJ
ject for honorable pride not only to the
members themselves but the country at
large. am proud of you because you
never complained and never fiinohed
When you. went to war you knew you
would not have an easy time; you expect
ed to encounter hardships, and you took
them without raurmur. You were all
readiness to learn and to show that
prompt obedience, which make ii posi-
BILE to turn the American volunteer SO
soon into a first class type of fighting
man. OF those who landed for the brief
campaign In the tropical midsummer
against Santiago one.fourth were killed
or wounded and three--fourths of the re-
mainder were at one time or another
stricken down by fever. Many died, but
there Is not one among you SO poor in
spirit that he does not count fever,
wounds. and death itself as nothing oom-
pared with the honor OF having been able
TO serve with the regiment under the flag
of the United States in one of the most
righteous wars which this country has
seen. Thislwas typical American rsgi-
ment The majority of Its mem bers came
from the Southwest, but not all We had
in our ranks Fasteners, Weseerners.
Northerners. Southerners, Catholics,
Professionals, Jews, Gentiles-men whose
parents were born In Germany or Ire
land, and men whose par ents were born
on the banks of the James, the Hudson,
and at Plymouth Rock nearly three cen-
turtles ago; and all were Americans in
heart and soul, In spirit and purpose
Americans, and nothing else. kswe knew
no distinction of creed. birthplace or re-
sidencs. All we cared for was that man
should do his duty. should show himself
alert. patient and enduring, good In
camp and on the march, and valiant In
battle.
TYPE OF THE COUNTRY.
my comrades, the regiment was but q
microcosm of our great country and the
principles which enabled us to make so
much out OF 1t are those upon which we
must act in the nation itself If we are TO
stand level to the needs Of our great des-
my. In adm iristering this great coun-
try We must know no North, South. East
or West; we must pay no heed to mans
creed; we must be indifferent as to
whether be Is rich or poor provided only
he Is indeed good man, q good citizen,
"a good American. In our political and
social life alike. in order to permanently
succeed we must base'our conduct on the
Decalogue and the Golden Rule. We
must put In practice those holy virtues,
for the lack OF which no intellectual brill.
liancy., no material prosperity, can ever
atone. Il IL good thing for q nation to
be rich. but 1t is better thing for ma
the qualities Of honesty, Of courage ana
OF common sense. We hays many great
problems ahead Of rs, we Americana, as