The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-04

on the hearts of all her people, she
looks for your counsel in the high hope
and purpose that the triumph of her
peace shalr be even greater than her
triumph in war.
1t is my good fortune, under the
terms of the enactment of congress, to
nave the honor of presenting to you
this beautiful sword. If, during the
many coming years which l trust will
be yours of useful service to your coun-
try, 1t shall remain sheathed in peace,
as God grant it may, that fact will
perhaps be due more to than anything
else to the thoroughness with which
you have already done it's work con-
graduate you on your return across the
sea in full health of mind and body to
receive it here, here in the national
capitol, here on these consecrated steps
where Lincoln stood, here standing be-
tween the statue of the first president
of the United States and him who is its
living president to-day; here in this
beautiful city adorned with the statues
of it's statesmen and heroes, the num-
Der incomplete until your own is
added; here amid this throng of citi-
zens who are only a type of the mil
lions and millions more who are all ami
mated by the same spirit of affection
ate and grateful welcome. I cannot
doubt that it is one of the proudest
days of your life, and I know that it
is one of the happiest in the heart of
each one of your fellow countrymen
wherever they stand whether on the
continent or on the far-off islands Of
the sea.
Now, following the authorization of
congress, I present this sword of honor
which I hold in my hand-my hand
rather let it go to you through the
hand of one who, in his youth, also
Ia LII, rl,+ fn~ hi
try in battle, and who to-day is the
commander int chief of all our armies
and navies, the president of the United
States"
yisibIy Affected.
AS Secretary Long concluded he
passed the sword to President McKin-
ley. The latter rose and faced the ad-
miral. Dewey was vsbly affected and
brushed his gloved hands across his
eyes before standing at attention. The
president said:
admiral Dewey: From your entrance
into the harbor of New York with your
gallant crew and valiant ship, the dem
onstrations which have everywhere
greeted you reveal the public esteem
Of your heroic actions and the fullness
of love in which you are held by your
country. The voice of the nation is
lifted in praise and gratitude for the
distinguished services you have rem
dered the country and all the people
give you affectionate welcome home,
in which I join with all my heart.
Your victory exalted American valor
and extended American authority.
There was no flaw in your victory;
there will be no faltering in maintain
ing it. (Great applause.) 1t gives me
extreme pleasure and great honor in
behalf of all the people to hand you
this sword the gift of the nation, voted
by the congress Of the United States"
The president handed the admiral
the sword with deep bow, and there
was a roar of applause as Dewey re-
ceived it. The crowd was hushed as
he turned to reply. He said:
II thank you, Mr.. President, for this
great honor you have conferred upon
me. I thank the congress for what it
has done. l thank the secretary of the
navy for his gracious words. thank
my countrymen for this beautiful gift,
which shall be an heirloom in my fam
lily forever, as an evidence that re-
publcs are not ungrateful, and I thank
you, Mr.. Chairman, and gentlemen Of
the committee, for the gracious, cordial
and kindly welcome which you have
given me to my home"
Description ofthe Sword.
The sword. except its steel blade and
the body metal of it's seabbard, is en-
tirely of % karat gold. On the pommel
is carved the name of the battleship
Olympia. which was Deweys flagship
at Manila, and the zodiacal sign for
December, in which lucky month
Dewey was born. Circling these is
closely woven wreath of oak leaves.
long employed to indicate and adorn
rank: below these the pommel is en-
braced by gold collar, on the front of
which are the arms of the United
States with the blue field of a shield
in enamel. Below them are the arms
of Vermont, Dewey's native state, with
the motto, Freedom and Unity" and
the colors of the shield in enamel. The
plain part of the gold collar is decor
ated with stars, and a graceful finish is
given to it by narrow band of oak
leaves. The sword blade is damascened
with the Inscriptions:
1.-THE gift of the nation to Rear Adj
miral George Dewey. U. S. N, in mem
ory of the victory at Manila bay May