The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-08-20
SAKS & COMPANY,
..SAKS' CORNER"
THE LARGEST HONOR.
Anything Less for Dewey Would Be
RidieulOusiy Inadequate


Nobody suggested it first II was the
spontaneous demand of a number of Lead
Ing newspapers. on the receipt of the
news of the completion of his work. that
the highest rank in the navy should be re-
stored for him. This. from the New York
Commercial Advertiser. is a fair indira-
tion OF the growing sentiment:
Talk of promotion for Dewey lacks
sense CT proportion No honor the nation
has power TO confer is large enough to
measure his achievement Anything less
than the largest honor the nation can be
stow would be ridicuIously inadequate.
Congress should revive the full grade
of admiral for him. suspend the law OF
retirement in his favor. and make hira
head of the American navy. with the
highest rank law can confer in il, IA
long as he shall live. This is little enough.
IF Congress bethinks itself of doing any
thing less. it would better wait awhile.
There is no hurry about Dewey's pro
motion. No chance of gallant emuIatiOz
can dim his fame by comparison No MAJ
ice of detractiOn will dare 10 smirch It.
He is the one figure OF the war in rela-
ton to which the whole nation. military.
naval. and civil, official and popular
thinks and speaks with one mind and
voice. There is no debate or hesitation
about rendering him his due reward De-
lay will serve the good purpose of permit
ting a truer estimate of the magnituds
of his performance and a juSter sense OF
proportion in comforting its formal re-
| ward That which he has struck in the
RNerfx rxe H.
! take definite and lasting form, and the
nation will see it more largely and clear
| ly. The dazzling glare of the deeds des-
| tiny gave into his hand 10 do will change
/ to the clear light of accomplished fact
| That which seems dream of national
| expansion over night will become a wax
| ing sense of mighty power and sober re-
/ sponsibility. When this idea of Greater
/ America shall have taken firm root and
sharp outline IN the American mind. It
! will be able TO conceive more adequately
what is due 10 the author of Greater
America.
zone must pick his words nicely not to
fall into mere babble of extravaganza in
writing of this mans work: and it is by
what he has done that he is to be Judged.
not by personal qualities and capacities.
That is the law of human justice. lie is
not Drawer or stronger or more skiTfuI
tHdH many WHO nave worn the uniform
of our navy. but not all of them together
from Decatur to Farragut. have done for
| the permanent fife of the n" as mucn
as he did when, WI one p ne re-
moved it's boundary across the widest
of oceans These splendid sacrifices on
/ the altar of the god Terminus are The
| work of statesmen This was brought by
| a simple sailor. ire- statesmen are rub
| bling their eyes trying to make out what
! it means. Nelson was not Drawer or
stronger or more skillful than many VINO
| have worn the British uniform at sea.
| and his genius may have lain latent in
| others for lack of opportunity to do tha.
| service which sets him on a solitary
| summit in historical perspective The
| same happy conjunction Of genius and
| opportunity has set Dewey on pinnacle
/ no less conspicuous in American history
I No honor less unique and conspicuous IS
| worthy of the author OF Greater
| America.