The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1899-10-11
THE NATIONS GUEST.
Admiral Dewey Received by Pres
ident Mckinley.
A FINE SWORD.
Presentation Speech Delivered by
John ID. Long, Secretary of the Navy,
on the Capitol Steps.

OH INC NdplCOl SCepSs
! Washington, D. c., Oct. 3.-The mag
nlhcent sword awarded by act of Con-
gress to Admiral Dewey was presented
TO him in the presence of the President,
the members of the cabinet and the jul
; dietary, the high officers of the army and
navy, and vast crowd of the plain peo-
pie. In strong contrast with all of the
ceremonies that have taken place since
Admiral Dewey reached the shores of
his native land, today's function was
severely official in character.
The scene of the presentation was APP
propriately located under the shadow of
! the great white capitol of the nation-a
, spot filled with memories of other stately
ceremonies. The escort which marched
In line with the admiral was made up
entirely Of soldiers and sailors.
A gun sounded in the direction Of the
river just as the sun reached the merid
! ian. There was a flourish from the Ma
rine band as the head of the procession
! reached the edge Of the porticO. The
band struck into the soul-moving strains
of Hail to the Chief" as the process
sion moved slowly down the steps to the
stand
took their seats, Admiral Dewey rising
with bare head to respond to the ovation.
A colored servant in livery threw ma
val cloak over the admiral'S shoulders
as he took his seat. Prayer was offered
by Rev. DR.. Bristol, President McKin-
ley's pastor.
Ross Perry then made the Introductory
address which was Justify cheered.
He ended by introducing Secretary
Long who was received with great enthu-
siasm and standing bareheaded in the
sunshine addressed his remarks directly
to Dewey who remained bareheaded and
seated. The speech was received with
applause.
Remarks by the President.
AS Secretary Long concluded he passed
the sword to President Mckinley. The
latter rose and faced the admiral. Dewey
was visibly affected and brushed his
gloved hands across his eyes before stand
ing at attention. The President said:
Admiral Dewey From your entrance in
the harbor Of New York, with your gallant
crew. and valiant ship, the demonstration
which everywhere greeted you reveal the
public esteem Of your action and the 1ull-
ness Of the love in which you are held by
The voice Of the nation is lifted in praise
and gratitude for the distinguished ana
country, and all the people. give you affec-
tionate welcome home, in which 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 maintaining 1T. Great ap,,
great honor lin behalf of all the people TO
hand you this sword, the gift OK the patton
voted by the Congress of the United states.
Dewey's Reply.
The President handed the admiral the
sword with deep bow and there was
ynd
The crowd was hushed as he turned to
reply.
Admiral Dewey said:
+ thank you Mr. President, for this great
honor you have conferred upon me. THANK
the Congress for what It has done. iii
gracious words l thank. my countrymen
For this beautiful gift which shall be an
heirloom In my family forever as an evl,
dence that republics are not ungratefui; anu
I thank you, Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen
Of the committee, for the gracious, cordlaI
and kindly welcome which you have given
me to my home.
The band played ''The Star-Spangled
Ranner" and then Cardinal Gibbons pro-
nounced the benediction. There was the
usual hustle and confusion as the cere- !
unonies closed and then the crowd rear.
ranged itself, broad path was cleared
across the plaza and Admiral Dewey
stood up beside the President to review
the parade. =,
At the conclusion of this parade Ad.. !
miral Dewey was escorted by the civil
committee to the residence Of Mrs. Nc
Lean.
After Admiral Dewey and the Presi..
dent had left the stand there was loud
calls by the crowd for Schley, and In re- |
Spouse that officer stepped to the vacant
stand and bowed repeatedly to the peo- |
pie.
The Sword Described.
The sword, except it's steel blade and
body metal Of it's scabbard, is entirely OF
22-karat gold. On the pommel is carved
the name of the battleship Olympia,
which was Dewey's 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 pom.
mel is embraced by a gold collar, on the
front of which are the arms of the Unit
ed States, with the blue field of the 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 decorated with
stars and a graceful finish is given to ii
by narrow band of oak leaves. The
sword blade is Damascened with the in /
scription:
: THE GIFT OF THE NATION
REAR-ADMIRAL DEWEY, u. s. N
In Memory of the
!: Victory at Manila Bay, May 1, 1898.
.....'... .......
The sword group is covered with fine
sharks skin bound with gold wire and in
laid with gold stars. The guard is all
the top in which the blade is set; the
aole's OutStretched wings form the