Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-10-26
SWORD FOR SAMPSON.
New Jersey Honors Her Adopted Son With a
Handsome Gift

Trenton, y. j.. Oct 25-Admral
Sampson. today, was presented with
sword by Gov. Voorhees, on behalf of
the state of New Jersey as a mark of
appreciation of the services rendered
by the distinguished naval officer dur
ing the Spanish war The presenta-
ton took place in the Assembly cham
Der of the capitol in the presence of =
distinguished audience of naval Off
GERS and persons prominent in the
public and social life of the state. The
naval officers present included nearly
all those associated with Admiral
Sampson before the entrance TO Santi-
ago harbor Among those present Were
Rear Admiral Melville, Capt. Chadwick
of the Brooklyn, Capt. Taylor of the
Indiana. Rear Admiral Philip. formerly
of the Texas. Capt. Clark of the Ore
gon. Capt Sands of the Columbia,
Capt. Bronson of the Yankee. Capt.
Train of the Prarie. Capt. Fogler of the
Kearsarge. Capt. Delehanty of the
Pawnee, and Lieut.. Commander, Wins
low, Rear Admiral SIMPSONS flag lieu
tenant. The naval officers occupied
seats near the speakers desk.
The formal ceremonies began with an
address by Senator ketcham, chairman
of the committee. He paid tribute to
the admiral, saying that the high state
of the American navy was due to Ad-
miral Sampson's skill and ability more
than to any other individual.
Governor Voorhees,, in making the
formal presentation, said that it was
his pleasant duty and great privilege
to present the sword as the cheerful
gift of the people of the patriotic state
with whom Admiral Sampson had for
a long time made his home. The plan
of battle which destroyed Cervera's
fleet" concluded the governor. was
matured by your quiet study and con-
summate skill and was carried out by
your fleet without a single error
Admiral Sampson, in accepting the
sword. spoke as follows: 1T is with
no little pride that l arise to thank the
people of New Jersey for this beauti-
full sword. Whether the gift be con-
sdered as an expression of the donors
estimate of my services during the
Spanish war or an expression OF what
they consider their indebtedness to
whomever the debt may be due, and |
as a resident of the state be chosen TO
receive the honor-whatever your gen
erous motive may be-the honor is
great.
TT is true that honors are
short lived life itself is brief.
Yet these facts do not dim the bright
view of the picture, the promptness
with which the human heart is stirred
by generous impulses, ready on each
occasion to express appreciation ana
mete out reward wherever it is thought
to be due He, then, who is the recipi-
ent of such honors must look to it that
he is worthy, else that gift is value
less.
"If / mistake rot you make me, to-
day. the representative of the many
who fought well at Santiago. Courage
and valor in one man may be fine, but
unless courage and yalor had been mui-
tiplied a thousand fold and in thou
sand hearts that day there might have
been a different tale to tell.
Il am proud for and proud of my
conferees and in their name Jointly with
my own, I accept your gift. You nave
| honored me because l was the COM
mander. and though to have been the
| commander was honor enough, your
| Acknowledgement of this here and in
! this manner is precious to me.
THAT / receive it, Your EXcellency,
from your hands. the governor of my
adopted state, adds greatly to its value.
Because l care, 1 am unable to say
| how much | care.
| This ended the formal presentation
ceremony. Afterwards Admiral Samp-
son gave a reception.
Admiral Sampson during the cere-
monies sat beside Mrs. Sampson whose
countenance plainly indicated her ap-