The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-12
OUR DEBT TO DEWEY.

From a Letter in the Sun by +. p. b.
Sands, Formerly Of the United States
Navy.
There can be no dissenting voice from
the proposition that Admiral Dewey has
received a scant and insufficient reward
for his unparalleled and glorious record
In this war with Spain. His brilliant VIC
tory has not been surpassed in history.
The defeat of Cervera did not equal it in
grand results. But for that bold, glorious
and admirable attack upon MontoJos
feet and its destruction, the attitude of
Russia and France and Germany would
not be assuming the pretence of friendli-
ness for the United States that we read
O.: today. A failure there would have
brought humiliation to our flag and dis
aster to the cause of human liberty for
which we contend. The success achieved
brought us TO the front rank of the great
nations, and the world began suddenly
to respect and admire us. The straight
shooting, the cool courage and the valor
and skill of Dewey's officers and men
aroused the spirit of emulation in our
inhalation of Cervera's fleet and the many
smaller but still glorious engagements
around the Cuban coasts, which have in
creased the pride we have in the navy
which keeps our flag victorious.
BeyOnu all tnlS, ana TO IL, mas
beon the firm, level-headed, masterfu' and
diplomatic course of our victorious Ad-
mlral Dewey in the trying times and
weary days of waiting for the aid, SO
early promised yet so long delayed. His
consummate tact and admirable control
of the whole eastern situation has been
so crowned with success. so complete
that not flaw can be found in IL. IN
ceasins vigilance and readiness for every
emergency have kept his fleet in safety
in the Philippines. with all the fruits of
his victory in his hands. 1t assured US
the Sandwich Islands and the La1rones
All that he has received In recognition Is
the love- the gratitude OF his fellow coun-
trymen and the admiration OF the world
Congress las awarded him a vote of
thanks, but II does not carry with 1t tho
ten years OF added service on the active
list which such vote gave 10 those off,
GERS who received II during tho civil war
He was not advanced one single number
on the navy list. He only received in
May the promotion to the grade OF rear
admiral which would have been his In
September had he done nothing moro ex-
citing than slipping his tea In the port OF
Hong Kong. Is II at sufficient recognition
for his great victory and for the admir-
able service that followed it?
o
Dcwcy's unexamplcd victory won for
the administration the urst or the iaur-
els which crowned 1t, and has enabled II
to win a glorious peace for the lasting
good of our people and for the world Let
the governments recognition of his sue
cess be commensurate with its impor-
tance. Let the grade OF admiral be re-
vived and let 1t be awarded to George
Dewey. Let "the thanks of congress" be
made to carry with it the ten years added
to his service on the active list that were
0ntONAh nfflnarE
vice In the civil war Dewey is stlll
strong and hearty; he is In the prime OF
his llfo and Is equipped for more valu-
able and important service 20 the nation
than to be permitted to retire in few
months more. and be relegated TO the