With a badge of honor pinned upon his breast, each soldier of the First District of Columbia Regiment marched proudly out of Convention Hall yesterday afternoon. As the sharp edge of sickness and suffering was dulled by the warmth and brilliancy of the reception which awaited the regiment upon its return from Cuba, so the magnificent demonstration yesterday afternoon must have gone still further toward obliterating all the fearful recollections of rain-soaked trenches and fever-stricken camps. If the brave boys of the District regiment, in short, needed any compensation for their patriotic duty, they must have felt amply repaid in the outpouring of gratitude manifested at the distribution of the medals.
    The presentation marked the climax of honors showered upon the regiment since its return. The affair was in every sense a magnificent success. The display of patriotic interest was almost overpowering, and at times the enthusiasm rose to such a height as to thrill the most indifferent soul. As soon as the regiment made its appearance in the hall the cheering began, and from that moment every occasion for the manifestation of sentiment was eagerly seized by the enormous audience. For the President of the United States there was, of course, a welcome that amounted to an ovation, while his interest in the occasion was of the keenest and most responsive character. This was plainly evident when, during the presentation of the medals, he drew his chair to the edge of the platform, and leaning over, looked into the faces of the soldiers with a countenance alive with appreciation and pleasure. He applauded heartily the brief addresses, listened with closest attention to the recitation by Mr. Charles B. Hanford of "The Star Spangled Banner," which thrilled the throng, and then, without solicitation on the part of the committee delivered some exceedingly graceful remarks of tribute to the members of the regiment. His speech, coming as it did, after the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner" by the audience, which was accompanied by the waving of handkerchiefs and flags, brought the occasion to a most successful and striking finale.
    Every detail of the affair passed off without a fault. The presence of 200 of the representative business men of the city gave it additional dignity and significance, while the decorations were pleasing to the eye. A feature of the afternoon was the tremendous ovation to Maj. M. Emmett Urell, whose soldierly salute to the President was, by the way, a thoughtful act.

    Eight thousand people crowded into the hall, and the occasion in which they participated rivaled the reception which was given the returning regiment from Santiago as it marched up Pennsylvania avenue on September 9.
    The presentation of the medals was announced to begin at 4 o'clock, but for more than an hour prior to that time the great Convention Hall was besieged by a concourse of men and women striving to gain an early admittance. A large detachment of police officers kept the crowds in order, and the spectators' seats were filled as rapidly as the throngs could file into the building.
    The hall was beautifully decorated. Down the center of the hall was suspended a row of large American flags. The iron arches were lighted with tri-colored incandescent globes, and miniature flags, tinged with oak leaves of deep red, producing pretty effects. The platform was occupied by the speakers and 200 of the best-known business men of the District. Entirely around its sides were decorations of flags, and in front there was a wall of palms, through the large green leaves of which were scattered sprinklings of autumn-colored leaves. For these decorations the committee was indebted to W. B. Moses & Sons and John H. Small & Sons. On the speaker's table was a huge bunch of red roses and white carnations, tied with robbon [sic] of red, white, and blue. This was presented to President McKinley at the close of the ceremonies. The center of the hall was reserved for the members of the regiment, and the spectators occupied seats at either end and to the rear.
    President McKinley arrived a few moments after 4 o'clock, and was followed by the delegation of 200 business men, headed by Col. William Dickson. The president was given a hearty greeting. While they were finding seats on the platform the regiment entered, headed by Col. Harries, Maj. Urell, Maj. Hine, and Maj. O'Brien. Their appearance was the signal for an enthusiastic demonstration, and when the men were seated Mr. E. B. Hay stepped to the front of the platform and announced that the ceremonies would be opened by the singing of our national hymn, "My Country. Tis of Thee." Mr. Percy S. Foster led the singing, in which nearly the whole audience joined, the effect being magnificent.

    At the conclusion of the singing, Engineer Commissioner Beach announced to his colleague, Commissioner Wight, who presided, that the District regiment was present and ready to receive the token of regard prepared by the citizens of the District of Columbia. Mr. Henry L. West, the Chairman of the committee on medals, then stepped to the front of the platform and said:
    "Mr. President, Mr. Commissioner Wight, officers and men of the regiment, and ladies and gentlemen:
    It is with sincere pleasure that the committee on medals, to whom was assigned the duty as well as the pleasure of preparing a suitable memorial of the bravery and patriotic devotion of the First District of Columbia Regiment, United States Volunteers, announces the completion of its labors. From the moment of the mass-meeting at the National Theater, when this proposed recognition first took definite shape, until the present time, the project has been accorded the most cordial and generous support and the heartiest co-operation from the citizens of the District of Columbia. The medals which it is proposed to present this afternoon has little or no intrinsic value. A very large proportion of the money so generously subscribed by the people of the District has been devoted, and rightly, I think, to the relief of the suffering which prevailed after the regiment had returned from Cuba. If we could have made a medal which fitly represented the courage, the self-denial, and the patriotic devotion of the men of the District regiment, it would have been fashioned of gold and studded with diamonds. (Applause.) As it is, we present a medal that is intended to be and will be a badge of honor for the brave men who imperilled their lives in the defense of the national honor."

    Commissioner Wight, in accepting the medals, and representing the District, said:
    "Mr. President: When you issued the call for men to go to war and protect the principles of humanity none responded more quickly than those of the First Regiment of the District of Columbia. They were brave in danger, patient in

camp and hospital, and it is but fitting that those who stayed at home should show their appreciation of this valor and give something to perpetuate that feeling. Most of the money subscribed by the business men of the District was spent for the relief of the sick soldiers, but a small part of it was expended in medals to be presented to the men, And, Mr. President, I believe I am voicing the sentiment of every man when I say that these medals bear additional honor because of your presence here to-day."
    Commissioner Wight invited Col. Harries and his staff to come upon the platform, and approaching Col. Harries, Commissioner Wight pinned the medal on his breast, saying that it was given in the name of the people and the District of Columbia. The sight of Maj. M. Emmett Urell, as he stepped forward to receive his trophy, called forth a ringing cheer from the soldiers and a perfect storm of applause from the rest of the throng. The Major looked every-inch the soldier, with head erect and shoulders thrown back, and when he saluted the President in true military style there was another outburst of applause.
    Each staff officer was then handed a medal by Commissioner Wight, and then the Captains and Lieutenants of each company came forward and were handed neat straw baskets containing the boxes inclosing medals for the other members of the regiment.
    A medal was given to each member of the regiment who went to the front who was not dishonestly discharged or discharged through influence, and to those who remained at home or were detailed for duty at other points while in the service. The medals intended for soldiers who died were presented to members of their families. The medals presented were each done up in small boxes tied with red, white, and blue ribbons.

    During this proceeding President McKinley moved to the front of the platform, where he was in plain view of the entire audience. Chairman Hay introduced Mr. Charles B. Hanford, who recited the "Star Spangled Banner" with electrifying elocutionary effect, and the ceremonies closed with the singing of the same, which was accompanied by the waving of hats and handkerchiefs.
    As President McKinley arose to leave the platform he was close to the members of the regiment, and immediately, when he came in full view of the boys, there was an uproarous demand for "speech." President McKinley hesitated but a second, and, seeing the universal desire to have him speak, he turned toward the audience and all was hushed as he delivered the eloquent words which are printed elsewhere.
    The following list of those receiving medals was furnished by the company officers, to whom was assigned the duty of designating the men entitled to the medals:

Source:

Unknown, "Honors Well Won," The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Thursday, 17 November, 1898, pp. 1, 10.