The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-23

National Tribute to the American Navy,
To THE EDITOR OF THE sUN-.Sir: The pro-
posal to psrpetuate an expression OF the appre-
citation OF Dewey's contemporaries for the
achievements Of the American navy 10 timely.
Approval OF the proposal appears to be. and
doubtless 10. unanimous. How can this appre-
citation be most wisely expressed?
Eminent. self-saorifoing artists have most
beautifully created the Dewey Arch. and many
people OF taste agree with them that. repro
duosd In imperishable materials. 1t would
achieve the purpose.
Without assuming to discuss any phase OF
the artistic merits OF the Dewey Arch or the
ability Of it's admirers to define accurately the
appreciation OF Dewey's contemporaries for
the achievements OF the American navy. It ia
possible that some other form might EN- bod y
the national sentiment acceptable to larger
number Of his contem poraries and their view
OF the best method Of pressrvingit 1t.
1t has been said that George Dewey typiles
the American sailor and that he illustrates in
himself the high morals ard Intelligent ability
Bureaucratic. in the minds OF his country m IN.
Of the American navy from it's birth. In hon
orinR him they involuntarii{ pay tribute to the
tributed noble deeds and unseifsh devotio n to
"Columb ia, the gem OF the ocean," through five
Thus II would seem logical to preserve a
memorial OF the love OF Dewey's generation oil
Amerisans. which sha be a chalice. rather
than a tomb-a receptacle OF the clarifying
essence OF the American navy-whch. while
preserving records and trophies OF noble deeds.
shall inspire eager ambition in living men. to
emulate as we'll as revere heroic Americans. 80
spurring succeeding generations OF Americana
to greater heights in manhood development
1t needs no argument to prove that the ables
OF stone from Mount sinai or tho Manager from
Bethleh would inepIre more people than
any dissertation. symbol or alegory OF them
SO. too "IOld Ironsidss." the. U. 6. 8. Consti-
tuition. as beautiful as Columbia. more sym
arsas .ah any man ana nnn
horses. restored in apar and thread to its
original form and appropriately, esta Bills she'd a,
preserved as the National Naval Museum.
would thrill every sailor and every sailors
friend and well-wisher. as could no other
thing.
Enough OF the original ship remains to IN axe
the restoration possible. She was. indeed. the
and progressivs She va. practically the mode node
OF tho ships, both war and merchant. which
made America the "mlstres, Of the seas"
shipbuildine DEVELOPMENT and leadership
s survey se Of The .kp By the Navy Department,
5000. 900 to restore her in every detail: It only
bring about the salvation and preservation Of
this precious vessel. dear to all Americans an
This result may be insured by the genera
publication Of tho following form OF petition by
the press and the petitions. cut out and m allied
to the President, properly signed by individu-
ais or organizations:
To the Presden Executive AanIion. Washington. D. c.
SIR: You are respectfully petitoned by tho under
signed to tss' r2psr procedure t9r tie res,oratioI
every original detail and her installation and pres
sryAtion toreyer as the National Naval Museum, a
nte OF appreciation OF the unfalng effectiveness OF
the American navy.
HAT