River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-05-12

"The magnitude of this victory can hard-
" be measured by the ordinary standards
of naval warfare. Outweighing any ma
terial 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 just cause, and that
by the grace of God an effective step mas
thus been taken toward the attainment OF
the wished-for peace To those whose
skill courage and devotion have won the
fight to the gallant commander and the
brave officers and men who aided him.
our country owes an incalculable debt.
fleeing as cur people feel, and speaking
In their name, l at once sent message 70
Commodore Dewey, thanking him and his
officers and men for their splendid achieve
ment and overwhelming victory, and IN
forming him that l had appointed him an
acting rear admiral.
II now recommend that, following our
national presidents, and expressing the
fervcnt gratitude of eNFery pa riotto heart
the thanks of congress be given Acting
Rear Admiral George Dewey, of the United
States navy, for his highly distinguished
conduct in conflict with the enemy, andt
the officers and men under his command, for
their gallantry in the destruction of the
enemy's fleet and the capture Of the en-
emys Notifications in the bay Of Mania.
civilian M'KINLEY."
The congressional resolution Of
thanks to Admiral Dewey and his Off
GERS and men is as follows:
Joint resolution, rendering the thanks
of congress to Commodore George Dewey,
L. S n, and to the officers and men Of the
squadron under his command,
Resolved, BY the senate and house OF
representatives of the United States of
America. in congress assembled, that in
pursuance Of the recommendation OF the
president made in accordance with the
provisions of section 1,J0S of the revised
statutes the thanks of congress and the
American people are hereby rendered to
Commodore George Dewey, Y. S. ~, com
manderdn-chief Of the Asiatic station, for
highly distinguished cOnductin condlctwith
the enemy as displayed by him In the de-
struction Of the Spanish fleet and batteries
in the harbor of Manila, Philippine islands,
May /, 1898.
Section 2. That the thanks of congress
and of the American peopie are hereby ten
dercd through Commodore Dewey to the
officers and men under his command for
the gallantry and skill exhibited by them
On that occasion.
section g. BE it further resolved, that
the president Of the United States be re-
questcd to cause this resolution to be com
muncated to Commodore Dewey and
through him to the officers and men under
his command"
washington, May lU.--f lItllS tIlbutc
was paid by the senate Monday to Com
modore Dewey for the magnificent vic
tory he achieved in the battle of Manila
bay. Without q word of debate and
without a dissenting voice the senate
agreed to the resolution carrying into
effect the recommendation of the presi-
dent
The senate went farther even than
that. A bill was presented increasing
the number of rear admirals in the navy
from six TO seven, IN order that the
president might nominate Commodore
Dewey TO the highest position in the
navy within his gift, and that, too, was
passed without dissent. In addition
a joint resolution was unanimously
agreed to directing the secretary of the
navy TO present to Commodore Dewey
a sword and medal of honor, and to have
struck, in commemoration of the battle
of Manila, Il bronze medal for each of
the officers and men who participated
in the gallant fight. The resolution APP
proprates $4,000 TO enable the secre-
;ary to carry its provisions into effect.