The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-10
THE GRATITUDE
OF A NATION.
McKinIey'S Message to Congress Con-
cerning Dewey's Triumph,

WASHINGTON, May 9.-.The President
to-day sent the following message to
Congress:
To the Congress Of the United States'
on the 2ith Of April directed the Sec
rotary OF the Navy 90 telegraph orders
10 Commodore George Dewey, Of the
United states navy commanding the
Asiauc squadron. then lying I'm the port
OF Hong Kong To- proceed forthwith TO
the Philippine Islands, there 10 com
meme, operations and engage the assem-
bled Spanish feet.
HE OBEYED ORDERS.
Promptly obeying the order. the United
states suuadron-consisting Of the Olym-
pia. Baltimore. Raleigh. Boston, Con-
cord and PCtrel. with the revenue cutter
McCuloch as an auxiliary dispatch boa'
entered the harbor no Manila at day
break on the lst of May and Immediately
engaged the entire Spanish feet OF eleven
ships. which were under the protection
of the fire OF the island forts. After n
stubborn fight. I'm which the enemy SUI
fered great loss. these vessels were de-
stroved or completely disabled and the
water battery at Cavlte siienced. Oi our
brave officers and men not one was lc't
and only eight injured, and those slight
Is. All Of our ships escaped any serious
damage.
BY the 4th of May Commodore Dewey
had taken possession OF the naval sta
tion at Cavite. destroying the iortihca-
tious there and at the entrance or the
bay. and patrohng their garrisons. Tho
waters of the bay are under his complete
control He has established hospitals
within the American lines. where go oil
the Spanish sick and wounded are as
sisted and protected.
AN UNSURPASSED ACHIEVEMENTS.
The magnitude Of this victory can
hardly be measured by the ordinary stan
dards of naval warfare. Outweighng
any material advantage is the moral ei-
feet OF this initial success. At this un-
surpassed achievement the great heart
of our nation thrObs. not with bodstlns
or greed Of conquest but with deep grau-
tude that this triumph has come i'm
Just cause and that by the grace Of God
an effective step has thus been taken
toward the attainment Of the Wished-ior
peace. 10 those whose ss1T,N courage
and devotion have won ms hghtOto ihe
gallant commander and Tho brafe Of
ticers and men who aided him. cut coun-
try owes an incalculablo debt
A NATIONS THANKS.
Feeling as our people feel. and speak
ing in their name. I at once sent mes
sage to Commodore Dewey. thanking him
and his officers and men for their splen-
did achievement and overwhelming vic
tory and informing him that 1 had ap-
pointed him am Acting Rear Admiral
now recommend that, following our
national precedeuts and expressing the
forvent gratitude of every patriotic heart,
the thanks of Congress be given Acting
Rear Admiral George Dewey. Of The
United States navy, for highly distin-
emshcd conduct in conflict with the enc
my, and to the officers and men under
his command for their gallantry in the
destruction Of tho enemy's fleet and the
capture OF the onemy's fortihcatiOns ia
the bay Of Manila.
Signed WILLIAM NJ klNLEN.
Executive Mansion. May o, 1895.
THANKS. SWORD AND MEDAL.
WASHINGTON. May "a fitting TIL
butte was paid by the Senate to-day 10
Admiral Dewey, for the magnificent vic
tory he achieved In the battle OF Manila
bay.
A message from the President was re-
ceived recommending that q vote o.
thanks be extended by Congress 10 Ad-
miral Dewey and the gallant officers and
men Of his command. Without a word
c..-.,N D,.lN