The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-26
SAMPSON is GRATEFUL.
For Honor Conferred on Him by His
Own State.

Own State.
Trenton, N. J., Oct. 26.-AdmiraI
Sampson, in accepting the sword pre-
sented to him here, spoke as follows:
1t is with no little pride that arise
to thank the people of New Jersey for
this beautiful sword. Whether this be
considered as an expression of the don
or's estimate of my services during the
Spanish-American war or an expression
OF what they consider their indebted
ness to Whomever the debt may be
que, and I, as a resident OF the state
am chosen to receive the honOr-what-
ever your generous motive may be, the
honor is great.
The newspapers recently noticed the
sale at auction of the sword of honor
given less than 100 years ago by two OF
England's leading cities to Lord Col
nnWCod, one of Nelson's greatest cap
Ia1ns. The thought occurred to me. as
read, can it be that one of England. s
greatest admirals, once so hOnored, IS
so forgotten; that there is no one to
save these trophies from the auction
eer's hammer? This incident suggested
other grave thoughts to one inclined to
look on the dark side of things. 1t IS
true that hOnOrs are short lived Lie
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 new occasion, to express
wherever it is thought to be due
He, then, who is the recipient or
such honors must look to it that he IS
worthy, else the gift is valuelesS- w ar
and her glories and her triumphs have
been lauded through all ages. No man
prepares himself for battle, no one
successfully enters it without first an
effacement OF self and selfish motives
In even the poorest soul is born in that
hour the finest impulses that adorn our
human. nature
Far above all else we are thankful
for in the hour of triumph or defeat is
the sense that once we have met our
best selves face to face and seen ex-
emp1ified in those of others qualities
we must strive for and most admire.
If I mistake not, you make me today
the representative of many who fought
we'll at Santiago. Courage and valOr in
one may may be fine, but unless cOur-
age and valoF had been multiplied
thousand fold and in thousand hearts
that day there might have been a diff
ferent tale to tell.
I am proud for and proud OF my con-
freres, and in their name jointly with
my own I accept your gift. You have
hOnored me because I was the COM
mander, and though to have been the
commander was honor enough, your ac-
acknowledgement of this here and in this
manner is precious to me.
THAT I receive it, your excellency,
from your hand, the governor of my
adopted state, adds greatly to its value.
Because 1 care, I am unable to say how
much I care"
All but three of the naval command
ers who were present at Santiago were
here. The three absentees were Ad-
mira1 Schley, Admiral Higginson and
Captain Robley D. Evans Admiral
HigginsOn was too sick to come and
Captain Evans missed his train.
President Mckinley, Secretary of the
Navy Long and Admiral Dewey sent
letters of regret. President Mckinley
in his letter to Governor voorhees, said:
Tt seems most fitting that this tes-
timOnial of honor should have been ar
ranged by your state, the home of Ad-
miral Sampson, in recognition Of the
valuable and conspicuous services rem
dered the country in the war with
Spain"
Secretary Long, in his letter, regret
ted that public business required his
presence in Washington. He said fur
ther:
I beg to express my hearty appre-
citation Of the deserved honor which is
trusted with most OnerOus and respOn-
sible duties during the war and is en-
titled to the highest credit for the con-
summate and successful manner in
which he discharged them
As Governor Voorhees, closed his pre-
sentation speech and the admiral rose
TO respond, all the naval officers arose
and Joined heartily in three cheers for
the admiral, which were proposed by
Admiral Philip.
When the presentation ceremonies
were over, Admiral Sampson was
grasped by the hand by the naval and
then shook hands with the state officers
and members of the legislature.
Following this he held a reception in
the executive chambers. where he shook
hands with all who called to pay their
respects