The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-26
DINNER TO w. S. SCHLEY
THE ADMIRAL ENTERTAINED BY
THE BROOKLYN CLUB MEMBERS.
Speech or the Battle of July Third
-Chauncey NJ. Depew on the Mis-
sion of Americans.


mentary dinner at the Brooklyn Club to-
night by Its members Covers were laid for
$50 The clubhouse and dining room were
decorated with flags of all nations and
potted plants and flowers. Rear Admiral
Schley was escorted to the club by Con-
gresham Charles G.. Benrett, and he was
accorded a hearty reception by the guests
when he took his place at the guests table
along with Chauncey NJ. Depew, Benjamin
+. Tracy, Colonel Hester and st. Clair Nc
&elway. Letters of regret were read from
General Woodford, William G. Whitney and
Supreme Court Judge-elect A. +. jerks.
MIR. McKelway acted as POSTMASTER and
introduced the guests of the evening. When
Admiral Schley arose to speak he was
greeted with prolonged cheers, which were
renewed at intervals during his telling OF
the destruction of Cervera's fleet 1T is
high tribute to my profession" he said, ito
say that not one vessel of the Spanish fleet
escaped u.s. Continuing he said: II am
overwhelmed by the reception you accord
me, the more so because have been simply
an humble instrument in bringing about a
result which has added so much to the glory
of the Nation l had no personal ambition
Which did not include the highest glory to
my profession and the greatest luster to my
Nation. felt after that momentous event
that the battle was big enough for us ALL
AT all events. 1t seems to have been big
enough for the country and big enough for
the world. 1t Is curious how little things
change results. After the army had in
vested Santiago and performed prodigies
OF Valor L was impressed on that critical
Saturday night which preceded the his
toric July 8, may say that / was
confident that the enemy contemplated
movement. 1t proved to be true. The
rlCh .ar~TI
doned six bIockhouses, which were imme-
diately seized by insurgents and burned. AT
9:U O'Clock that night the enemy's ships
were all prepared to get under way. There
were six Lighthouses, as l have said and
the enemy had six ships. That was a criti-
cal moment in Cervera's life. In the night
time there was a possibility of one vessel
escaping. Coming out in the daytime 1t was
simply and utterly impossible. The enemy
thought we were all at quarters So we
We're. In one minute and thirty seconds
from the time he appeared at the mouth
Of the harbor every one Of our vessels was
nrlng upon him II was the most beautiful
There was a burst Of laughter and ex-
carnations of Right you are Il say so
frankly" Admiral Schley went on. THE
shlpS appeared in column l was standing
on the bridge of the Brooklyn, and the first
impression made upon me was that il was
like a Spanish bull fight. They came on
tail up and head down. The admiral had
been called to the eastward to confer with
General Shafter. Before leaving he signaied
W ulSTeSdTQ the ORDERS Oh the commander
in-chief This was an announcement that the
senior officer was left in charge. Fortu-
nately, or unfortunately, that happened to
be myself The moment the enemy appeared
set the signal for close action. The enemy
could choose one of three methods. He
could elect TO fight and avail himself of the
protection of land batteries. He could try
to escape and scatter as a flock of part
ridges when it is flushed. Or he could at
tempt to run, choosing either the eastern
or the western course.
ut was an anxious mosnent while we
We're waiting to see what he purpOsed do
ing. 1t required quick decision and quicker
action: Fortunately, he chose to run and
took the course TO westward All the yes
sells closed in with terrible cannonading
The Brooklyn was the point of attack be-
cause she was the feetest and the flagship
The storm of pfojectiles around about re-
minded me OF q millpond in a hailstorm,
Dut until man was killed near me l was
not aware that there was a shot within a
hundred miles of me. The furious on
slaught was made in the tactical diameter
of the enemyS fire. We could move in and
mask or turn out and unmask. OF course,
we moved in, and within twenty-nine min
solutely annihiated. The Colon and the Viz
caya were left. They put their helms to
port and speeded to the westward. There
was q running fight of fifty-four minutes"
Admiral Schley described that fight and
the destruction of the Nizcaya, leaving her
to the Texas to dispose of. We went on
after the Colon" he continued. II felt as
did Nelson at Trafalgar, that the victory
would be incomplete if one ship escaped.
told Captain Cook to go below and have
dinner as we would not come up with the
Colon for one-half or three-quarters Of an
hour We went down to dinner and dur
| ing that operation we were under heavy
ire, but we did not reply, because it did
us no harm"
Admiral Schley pictured the surrender of
the Colon and recapitulated the results of
| the battle. He spoke of Dewey's victory at
Manila and referred to his own work in
Porto Rico Then he added some modest
things about himself and sat down amid
tremendous cheerings.
Mr.. Depew said in part: 1.-THE heroes of
this war are the popular idols of the day.
Tonight we honor Schley. Some other
night it will be Sampson, and some memoir
able night it will be Dewey. In the conquer
ing of tribes and nations, in the overthrow
OF the governments of the peoples of dis
tant countries, in the seizure and spoliatOn
OF the lands of nations which are govern
ing themselves we have no power. We are
rescuing oppressed peoples and giving them
the protection of our flag. Our sacred mis-
sion for Cuba has been sanctif1ed by the
blood of our sons and the victories of our
arms, and 1t must be carried through. Cuba
and Porto Rico under orderly government.
are to increasingly demand our products
The fertile Philippines with American laws,
order and justice are to progress to larger
apprehension of self-government, to be
enormously rich in their increased pro-
ouctlyeness and to require from us, and
especially from our Pacific coast, vast
quantities OF the products of our soil and
mines. The Philippine harbors and dock
yards will be the coaling stations, the ware
y
merchant marine. From this cOign of van
tage we are within easy reach of the open
and ever wider opening doors of the Orient.
No matter how rapidly our population
within the United States increases, no mat
ter how much American energy, genius and
inventive skill add to our productive power
the American navy has given to us the posi-
ton which removes the cause for the fears
or congestion which are already threaten
ing us, and the American navy protecting
our merchant marine and keeping free the
sea Tor our commerce, has prepared the
way for an eXhaustless demand for all
Which enriches our country. increases it's
power, supports it's population and pro-
notes the happiness and prosperity Of its
people: The historian In writing this glori-
Gus chapter of American history, this
marvellous campaign, which in a hundred
days altered the map of the world and made
the United States one of the five great
powers of the eartn, will give the place Of
honor to the American navy and a distin-
guished niche in the temple of fame toad
miral Schley"
Sigsbee Led the Grand March.
NEW YORK, Nov. 25-The sailors and
marines of the battle ship Texas TO the
number of several hundred held their an
nual ball tonight at the Lenox Lyceum
Captain Sigsbee, of the Texas, and Miss
Sigsbee led the grand march, in which four
hundred couples participated. Captain
SigSbee was vociferously cheered during the
march. There We're many noted characters
present, but perhaps the most popular ones
were Sailors Deignan, Clausen and Phillips,
who sailed with Hobson on the Merrimac
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