Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-11
DEWEY is HONORED.
Congress Passes a Resolution OF
Thanks, to be Sent to the
Gallant Comm dore
mt Commodore.

Washington, d. c., May 9.-The
House resolution thanking Dewey was
passed by the Senate. This was neces-
sary in order that both houses might act
on the same resolution.
The Senate passed the House resolu-
ton creating another admiralship for
Dewey. 1t now goes to the President.
Washington, d. c., May 9.-The Presi-
dent today sent the following message to
Congress recommending vote of thanks
to Acting Rear-Admiral Dewey for his
achievement at Manila:
To the Congress of the United States:
On the Oath day of April l directed the
secretary of the navy to telegraph orders
to Commodore Dewey of the United States
navy, commanding the ASiatic squadron,
proceed forthwith to the Philippine isl
ands, there to commence operations and
engage the Spanish fleet
Promptly obeying that order, the United
States squadron, consisting of the flagship
Olympia, Baltimore, Raleigh, Boston, Con-
cord and Petrol, with the revenue, cutter
McCulloch as an auxiliary dispatch boat,
entered the harbOr of Manila at daybreak
on the first of May and Immediately en-
gagged the entire Spanish fleet of eleven
ships which were under the protection Of
the fire of the land Notifications.
After stubborn fight, in which it is said
the enemy suffered heavy loss, these yes
and the water battery at CaYite Silenced.
Of our brave officers and men not one was
lost, and only eight injured and those
slightly. All of our ships escaped any
serious damage.
By the fourth of May Commodore Dewey
had taken possession OF the naval station
at Cavite destroying the Notifications
there and at the entrance of the bay, and
parOling their garrsons. The waters of
the bay are under his complete control.
He has established hospitals within the
American lines where 2J0 Of the Spanish
sick and wounded are assisted and pro-
tected
The magnitude Of this victory can hardly
be measured by the ordinary standards of
naval warfare. OUtweighing any material
advantage Is the moral effect of this initial
success. At this unsurpassed achievement
the great heart of our nation throbS, not
with bOasting or with greed Of conquest,
but with deep gratitude that this triumph
has come in a just cause and that by the
grace of God effective step has thus
been taken toward the attainment Of the
wiShed-fOr peace.
To those whose skill, courage and devO-
ton have won the fight to the gallant
commander and the brave officers and men
who aided him, our country owes an in
calculable debt. Feeling as our people
feel, and speaking in their name, l at once
sent message to Commodore Dewey,
thanking him and his officers and men for
their splendid achievement and Overwhelm-
ing victory. and informing him that l had
appointed him an acting ear-admiral.
| now recommend that, following our
national precedents and expressing the fer
vent gratitude of every patriotic heart. the
thanks Of Congress be given Acting Rear
Admiral George Dewey of the United
States navy for highly distinguished CON
duct in conflict with the enemy and to the
officers and men under his command for
their gallantry in the destruction Of the
cnemy's fleet and the capture of the enc
my's fortified lions in the bay Of Manila.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, May O. 1898.