The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-22

our people and n. the islands we are
goiiHs TO get the best results for the
people of the Islands and of wbak has
I'VE are going Il, make them more
prosperous than they have ever
dreamed of being during their recorded
history, and now we guarantee to each
man his life and his liberty, and mis-
pursuit of happiness as he never could
have bad it if he had been under the
domination OF cruel oligarchy working
through the society of Kotopunan-
NO APOLOGIES TO OFFER.
Il don't make any apology for our
soldiers on the score OF good citizen.
ship, and don't make any apologies for
the Spanish war or the war in the
Philippines. There have been occa-
sional deeds of wrong committed. There
We're 10000 men there, and some of them
did not behave as they ought Have we
all always been Immaculate at home
applause and laughter). If a man does
wrong punish him, of course. But don't
make the mistake of fixing the eye on
the uniInportant ember and losing sight
of TIE great blaze.
I'VE have no apologies to make for
what the country had done in the past
four years. We are proud of it. We are
proud of the great work for humanity
and civilization that has been done
alike in the islands of the tropic east
and in the islands of the trooic west.
We are proud of what our troops have
authorities are doing over there in the
Philippines, and we are proud Of you.
my comrades. who did the duty when
the country called them to arms, who
initiated those who from 81 to '63 did
their duty and who now are imitat ting
the men who disbanded in '65 by COM
ing back into civil life with the firm
resolution to do their duty as citizens
just as faithfully as ever they did it as
soldiers. 1 thank you"
AS the president finished and thanked
the veterans a storm of applause broke
forth that ended in three times three
cheers. While the president was speak
ing Miss Clara Barton entered the hall
and took seat on the platform. Cen
eral Urell. after calling for three more
cheers for President Roosevelt, told the
soldiers that their good angel was pres
ent, and then said:
Il will now detail Comrade Roosevelt
to escort Miss Barton to a seat on his
left hand
Amid thunderous cheers the president
stepped across the stage and gallantly
escorted Miss Barton to chair on his
left Adjutant General Dyer. of Wash
ington, D. c., responded to Mayor May.
bury's address of welcome on behalf OF
the veterans. This was to have ended
the first session of the convention. but
Governor Bliss asked for a few mo-
ments' indulgence. Explaining that he
was to present service medals to Mich,
1gan veterans of the Spanish war when
the convention adjourned Governor Bliss
said he wished to first present Comrade
Teddy Roosevelt with one. He accord
ingly requested Mrs. Lewis of the
ladies' auxiliary to present the medal
to the president. The presentation was
made amidst the greatest enthusiasm
The convention then adjourned and the
president and party left the armory
They drove Immediately to the steamer
Tashmoo. which was boarded for a ride
on the river. In addition to the presi-
Dental party there were several hun
dred delegates to the reunion aboard
the steamer The Tashmoo returned
with the party at 2 o'clock, just in
time for the president to review the bis
parade of veterans and local military.