The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-05-06
Verrnonter Wins the First Victory.

first signal victory i'll our war with
Spain has been won. A great naval
battle that will occupy prominent
n1ace in future histories has been
fought and America can add one more
brilliant victory to an already long list
The Maine has been remembered in
Manila harbOr, 10000 miles from Ha-
vana harbor where that noble ship and
many of her brave crew went down
through Spanish treaChery. COmmO-
dore Dewey and the brave men OF the
Asiatic squadron did not forget the
Maine as they entered Manila harbor
Sunday in the gloom of early morning
prepared to fall like thunderbolts upon
the Spanish fleet as soon as the coming
dawn should make known their loca-
ton. They completely destroyed the
Spanish ships and most of them are
now at the bottom of the harbor. 1t is
estimated that 600 of the enemy were
killed. Reports have said nothing def
mite concerning the American loss only
that the ships were some damaged.
1t was a most daring sea battle, one
thai will easily stand comparison with
any in history. The plan of American
attack was bold dash and rapid firing.
The fleet entered the harbor in the
early morning placidly sailing over
the waters supposed to be loaded with
mines and torpedoes. When firing be-
gan they Unanswered so as to keep up
a broadside fire at both Spanish ships
and forts at the same time. 1t was
bold work but bold, cool men were in
command and at the guns. They knew
their danger, were ready to meet it and
were confident of victory. The result
of the battle cost Spain the loss of her
fleet and the Philippine islands, but
il NAV convince her that we have some
thing in our navy besides Old-fashiOn
wooden ships. That nation has been
tanning us with remarks about our
moor navy, our lack Of courage, and re-
ferrinp to us as a race of hogs with a
remarkable appetite for the almighty
dollar and but little love of country.
A few such lessons as the one at Ma
Mia may teach the Dons some idea of
American courage and patriotism. The
world and Butcher" Weyler in par
ticular now have an example of the
splendid discipline that prevails on our
fighting ships and the courage and in
telligence of the men. The deadly
punnerv of the Americans vessels may
be a pleasant thing for the remaining
Spanish warships to think about but III
all probability it will give them chill.
Com. Dewey, 1000 miles from an
American flag or a place where he
could take on coal or supplies OF any
kind, has accomplished all that was eN-
pected of him. When he received his
orders from the Navy Department he
asked no questions. The powder, pro- |
iectiles and other supplies sent him
We're quickly taken on board and with |
out an hours delay he was on his way
to carry out the wishes of his govern |
ment. The advantages were all on the
side of the enemy with the exception |
that our fleet was the strongest. Our
fleet had to encounter the Spanish fleet
containing more but inferior vessels, a |
harbor loaded with mines and torpe- |
does and the Notifications on shore. |
Commodore Dewey realized this and |
made his plans accordingly. His ma |
neuveres were daring but so admirably |
executed that he could pour broadsides
into the enemy and receive their fire |
with the least possible effect. The
more we think of the work Commodore |
Dewey had to do the more splendid |
does his victory appear A new picture
will be hung in the gallery of Ameri- .
can naval heroes beside Of Paul Jones, |
Farragut. Decatur, Perry, and it will
be a Vermonter now Admiral Dewey, |
born in our capitol city.
Vermont is proud of being the birth
place of Admiral Dewey, proud that
he received his early training and was
reared among her green hills. His
splendid victory in the Philippine
Islands is an illustration of what is
now an historical fact that Vermont is
always ready to respond when the
country is in need of man for an
emergency. 1t is the staunch Green
Mountain stock that Vermont sends
out that gives her reputation all over
the land. We have no seacOast but we
have some sailor sons of whom we are
proud.
Admiral George Dewey was born in
Montpelier 81 years ago, the son OF Jul
Illus Y. Dewey. He first went to school
IN the DrlCk nOuSe Oll OOulJ oOICCG
next to the Catholic church and later
took a course at the Norwich Univer
sitv. His schoolmates of those days
say that George was born fig liter"
In 1854 he entered the Naval Acade-
my at Annapolis. From 1861 to 1868
he was lieutenant on the gunboat Miss
issippi and at the battle Of Fort Fisher
was on the gunboat Agawam. After
the war he was executive officer on the
famous Kearsarge and in 1884 was as
signed to the Dolphin. He has been
with the Asiatic squadron for several
months. Admiral Dewey's wife died
at Newport, r. l., in 1875. She was a
daughter of ex-Gov. Goodwin of Ports
mouth. n. H., the democratic war gov
ernor who at his own expense fitted out
fine first regiment of New Hampshire
voIuntees and thus saved the state the
expense of an extra session of the leg
islature. He is a brother of Chas. Dew
CIV. president of the Montpelier Ma
tional Life Insurance Co, and has one
son, George Edwin Dewey, who grad