The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-10

sell thus honored by their chief n1agis-
trate These sentiments, | know, VIII
also stir in the breast of Major jenkins;
but he will be inspired by another SEN
timent, not less noble, which none can
share with him-a sentiment of gratitude
that he receives this sabre from the
hands of his beloved commander. under
whose eyes he fought and whose warm
eommendation he won for efficiency for
solGiership and for gallantry in action.
Permit me, Mr.. President, to hand you
this saber, with the request that you
pre- sent it to Major Jenkins
great shout of appreciation marked
the close of the former governors adj
derss and this swelled to an overwhelm-
ing greeting as the President sprang
forward with evident delight and took
the sword from the hands of Governor
Thompson and turned to the gallant Maj
Jenkins Major Jenkins stepped forward
with soldierly bearing, clad in the IN
dress uniform of a major of Rough Riders,
the full dress uniform being unknown
in that command.
PRESENTING THE SWORD.
1t was fine picture as the two former
Rough Riders faced each other and the
President, in ringing tones said:
major Jenkins, nothing could give me
greater pleasure than to hand you, my
old friend and conirade, whose courage
1 sew again and again, and whose cour-
age was Of a temper that made it in
different what the trial was, to hand
you this saber. 1 am glad to dc it. as a
guest Of South Carolina, us the President
of the United States, but gladder to do
it as your old friend and comrade.'
SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE.
In accepting the sword, Major Jenkins
said:
"Mr. President: In the Spanish
American war l had the honor of being
the only representative from South. Car
DINA in that peerless volunteer regi-
ment7the Rough Riders
My State, with her gentle, soft voiced,
glorious women, and her sons, almost
without exception of soldier extraction,
has always demanded of her representa-
tives that they come back with their
shields or be brought back on them.
With these reflections to start with, and
later on the proud privilege of serving
with that thousand picked from 10000
gallant fellows who strove to form what
was to be the Rough Riders, and brig
AIDED and divisioned with the flower of
the American army. the United States
Cavalry-it might we'll have been ex-
pected that the single South Carolinian
would do his duty. If 1 have measured
up in any manner to the standard of
these high privileges, it is to me mat
ter of lifelong thankfulness. Your
prompt and generous recognition of the
little that fell to my lot to accomplish
recognition that was as quickly ex-
tended to the soldier from Arkansas as
to the soldier from New York-has now
been followed On the part of my fellow
statesmen by the gift Of this beautiful
sword. From time immemorial this form
of testimonial has always been especially
gratifying to it's recipient. 1t is to me.
Grateful to me as is this beautiful Of
fering. Mr.. President, my fellow states
men have added much to their gift by
their graceful tnoughtfulness in request
ing you, my late colonel to present it.
I'm accepting this sword, sir, l wish
to express to my fellow statesmen,
through you, my deep appreciation of the
high honor they have this day confer
red upon me, and to assure them that
this sword from now on, whether in my
hand or that of my sons son, will be
cCnSecrated 70 the common service of
South Carolina and the United States;
for, thank God, that service in the event
of war, is evermore the same. l have
fought with the sons of Hood and
Wheeler, with the men in blue and again
l say thank God for our reunited coun-
try. The greatest, most magnificent,
best beloved country on the face of
Gods green eartn-the home of the free,
the land of the brave-the United
States"