Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-26
Addresses His Comrades of the
Spanish-American War.
Praise for the Soldiers and Disdain
for Their Defamers.
Stirring Speech of the Right Sort to
the Veterans.

war, at a banquet in the Algonquin
Club house. The company at the
tables was made up of officers of
Massachusetts commands of both mill
tary and naval arms who had served
in the Cuban, Porto Rico and Philip
pine commands. Some of the guests
were Gov. w. Murray Crane, Mayor
Patrick A. Collins, Hon. John d. Long,
and Hon. George III. Lyman, collector
for the port of Boston.
The President said:
Mr.. POSTMASTER, Mr.. Chairman and
Cimrades:
l have a special right of comrade-
ship with The men of the End and the
9th who were down at Santiago where
| served also.
Some of your number here tonight,
fought in the great war, in the war
where there was quite enough fighting
to go around daughter and applause,
where there were even certain mo-
ments when you seemed likely to be
troubled with the opposite condition
Qaughter).
Your officers saw the real fighting,
the days that tried mems souls. All
the cnance that came to US was to
show that we We're willing and anxious
to try to do our duty in way not TO
make the elder feel that the younger
generation had been unworthy of it
(applause).
And really this is not exactly the
audience to which l would like to say
one or two things. l am going to say,
because | am sure l have got you with
me daughter and LOUD continued ep-
plause).
Now there has been good deal of
criticism, and some of 1t of an exceed
ingly Incorporate kind. about the
actions of the army over in the Philip
pines. That army is composed of cx-
actly such men as those | see here, to-
night Cloud applause).
Some of you went to Cuba, some to
Porto Rico. some to the Philippines.
Within the last fortnight there has
been an appalling outrage committed
in the Philippines. Four men were
captured and after being kept for. a
little while they were put to death by
torture. You have heard very little of
it, have seen very little mention of it,
and the reason is because these four
men wore the United States uniform,
(cries of yes, yes, that is right').
For that deed, if it is possible to ex-
act punishment, punishment will be ex-
acted. cloud applause and waving of
handkerchiefs). Don't misunderstood
me- tCries of mo, no.. | do not have
to say that | am speaking to soldiers.
You know that any infringement of the
laws of war will not be tolerated for a
moment. and that any man wearing
our uniform who disCredits it by tor
ture shall not be saved by any record
of excellence in the past. You know
that. (Cries of Yes yes'O. 1t is I'M
necessary to say it, but let the other
side of the metal be kept in view also
Let it be remembered that of all forms
Of cruelty the worst course, the most
provocative of cruelty, is the weakness
which hesitates to use just a proper
severity when just a proper severity is
needed. cloud applause).
Peace is almost here in the Philip
pines. We have the trouble with the
Moros. but outside of that peace has
almost come, and it has come because
the army of the United States. bravely,
quietly. uncomplainingly, and with an
iron resolution responded to that splen-
did service. The army has gone about
it's duty, needing the foe in front as
little as they had needed the advance
ment of those who should have known
better behind. cloud and continued APP
plause). 1t has gone forward until now
throughout the Philippine islands, there
is a condition of greater peace than has
obtained in them from the time wher
the keels of the Spanish ships first fur
rowcd the waters of Manila bay unit
the present moment. (Applause).
The average Filipino has more chance
now for life. liberty and the pursuit o.
happiness than he ever dreamed of hay
ing, or his fathers before him, until h
came under our flag. (Cries of That
good" and loud applause).
Gentlemen. so much for what | wa:
glad to say to you but should have beer
even more pleased to have the chance
of saying to other people Oaughtel
and applause).
Now. | want just briefly to take a:
text what was said by President Nc
Kinley, who himself fought all through
the Civil war. when in speaking after
the Spanish war he said:
The highest tribute that can be paid
to the soldier is to say that he per
formed his full duty. The field of duty
is determined by his government, and
wherever that chance is to be there is
the place of honor. All have helped in
the great cause whether in camp OF
in battle. and when peace comes al
alike will be entitled to the nations
gratitude"
Now, gentlemen. | intended to sa,
that the first essential in getting goo,
work out Of an army is to make it un
derstood among them all that the thini
TO he sought after is the duty-that tn
glory is an accident. lapplause). an
that to seek after the glory at the ex
pense Of doing the duty Is consider
ably worse than an accident. Uaugh
ter and applause).
My regiment was one OF those
which part had to be left behind q
Tampa. l have always felt that
heavier load. a considerably heavi'
load. was put upon those who stage
behind. aud that while the honor va
equal as between them. the work dor
was greater by those who stayed. an
that the latter should be credited wit
doing the hardest work.
| recently. Ia some Of the promotion