The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21

of Arizona. A ulStln2ulshed cltlZen the gallant Captain O'Neil. About the same time was the enlistment of Alex. Brodie, afterwards Lieut. Colonel, James H. McClintock and Jos. l.. B Alexander, afterwards troop command CTS in the Rough Rider regiment. Equally prompt enlistments were made by other officers and men ef the Arizona contigent of the Rough Riders. Whep the second call of the president came, Arizona was not called upon to furnish any soldiers; for the reason that she had already furnished more than her quota for both calls. But by persistent entr, aty Arizona was allowed to furnish three full compan- ies for the First Territorial Regiment and the men were enlisted and sworn into the service sooner than those from any other ef the territories that were to contribute to the regiment
 Arizona's course in the war was most creditable and patriotic. Arizonians
 were not only the first to enlist, but they were among the first to land upon the enemy's soil; they were among the first to shed their bloot in defense of their country and among the first to plant the American flag upon the enemy's works. Arizona demonstrated by the conduct of her sons during the war that her citizens were not only patriotic but that they were capable of governing
 themsslves.' They not only demons trated this, but able and willing to go
 to the defense of their country in
 numbers far beyond what could
 reasonably be expected of them: In
 the light of these facts, and no one can
 deny they are facts, with what grace, consistency or dscency can congress
 deny to Arizona the boon of state
 hood2 Measured by all tests stand
 ards or conditions, we are entitled to
 it. Political jugglery, duplicity and
 chicanery may keep us out for the
 present, but when the better natures
 and good sense of congress is touched
 by our appeals and by review of the
 record made by the soldiers from Ariz-
 ona in the war, as they surely in time
 will be, we will be taken into the
 sisterhood of states. When that good
 time comes, Arizona will be an honor and credit to the nation, ca bright particular starr and not "rotton
 borough"
 This gathering here tonight is in
 accordance with 8 resolution formed st Albany, Georgia, a few days before our regiment was musterel out. It happened that the United States ship
 Maine was blown up on the 10th of
 February 1898. That was the cause, and practically the beginning of the war. Our regiment was mustered out on the 18th of February 1899. That was practically the ending of the war. We decided to make these two events occurring on the 18th of February, the anniversary of our reunion and in obe- dience to that we are now here. Ow- ing to the fact that our regiment was raised in four different territories situated hundreds of miles apart, it will never be practicable for us to hold regimen tai reunions. The many ties of friendship and fellowship formed during the service should in some manner be perpetuated and the only way it can be done is by battalion or contigent reunions like the one we are holding now l wish it could be otherwise. It would be a grand thing to keep alive the free nlasonary of good fellowship formed during those eight months of association. The world has witnessed no grander ex- ample of fraternal and brotherly love and patriotism than has bound to- gether the soldiers of Sixty-one to Sixty-fve in the Grand Army of the Republic. It warns the cookies around my heart to see those old veterans meet; the hearty greetings, the warm handshakes and the tears, as l have o,ten seen them twinkling down their bronzed and wrinkled cheeks, tell of friendship and brotherly love that is most constant and loyal. Each year however, finds a decreased number at tkeir camp grounds and the time is fast approaching when the last valorous soul will have responded to the last rollcall, when taps for him shall sound no more. It seems therefore, fitting that those who served in the last war should organize them selves, and as far as possible take the place made vacant by the passing of 5he Grand Army of the Republic.
 Now, my friends, l have made 9 er,ous talk. 1 fear altogether too crious for this occasian and l don't