Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-10-04

hearted DOUBTS and teasing c2vllS OF
any of them. 1t is a work on which
she has entered in the interest of early
peace in those new lands, their stable
government, the establishment in them
of law and order, the security OF life
and property, and the American stand
ards of prosperity and home. Let those
who fear remember that though her
children, guided by you, took the wings
of the morning and dwelt in the utter
most parts of the sea, even there the
hand of our fathers God shall lead
them and his right hand shall hold
them. In this work, in view OF the
great part you have taken in the sud
den development of her sovereignty,
your full knowledge Of the situation,
and the just hold you have on the
hearts of all her people, she looks for
your continued service and listens for
your counsel in the high hope and pur-
pose that the triumph of her peace shall
be even greater than her triumph in
war.
1t is my good fortune, under the
terms of the enactment Of Congress, to
have the honor of presenting to you
this beautiful sword. II during the
many coming years which l trust will
be yours, of useful service to Our Dun
try, it shall remain sheathed in peace
as God grant it may, that fact will per-
haps be due more than anything else
to the ~thoroughness with which you
have already done its work. l congrat-
nlate you on your return across the sea
in full health of mind and body to re-
ceive it here; here in the National Capt.
fol. haro an thAra 0Oncnarafn tod SfpDo
where Lincoln stood; here standing be-
tween the statue of the first President
of the United States and him who is it's
living President to-day; here in this
beautiful city adorned with the statues
of its statesmen and heroes. the NUNS
Der incomplete until you own is add
ed; here amid this throng of citizens
who are only a type of the millions
and millions more who are all animated
by the same spirit Of affectionate and
grateful welcome. l can not doubt
that it is n Of the proudest days of
your life, and l know that it is one of
the happiest in the heart Of each one
of your fellow countrymen wherever
they are, whether on the continent or
on the far off islands Of the sea.
Now, following the authorization of
Congress, | present this sword OF honor
which I hold in my hand-my handl
Rather let it go to you through the
hand of n who in his youth also per-
lied his life and fought for his country
in battle, and who to-day is the COM
mander-in-chief of all our armies and
navies, the President of the United
States"
As Secretary Long concluded he
passed the sword to President McKin-
ley. The latter rose and faced the
Admiral. Dewey was visibly affected
and brushed his gloved hands across
his eyes before standing at attention.
The President said:
Admiral Dewey: From your en-
trance in the harbor of New York with
your gallant crew and valiant ship, the
demonstrations which everywhere have
greeted you, reveal the public esteem
of your heroic action and the fitness
of the love in which you are held by
your country.
1.-THE voice of the nation is lifted in
praise and gratitude for the distin-
guished and memorable services you
have rendered the country and all the
people give you affectionate welcome
home, in which | Join with all my
heart. Your victory exalted American
valor and extended American author
ity. There was no flaw in your VIC
tory; there will be no faltering in main
tanning 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 a deep bow and there
was a roar Of applause as Dewey re-
ceived it. The crowd was hushed as
he turned to reply.
Admiral Dewey said: 81 thank you,
Mr.. President, for this great honor you
have conferred upon me. l thank the
Congress for what it has done. l thank
the Secretary of the Navy for his gra-
cious words. | thank my countrymen
fer this beautiful gift, which shall be
an heirloom in my family forever as
an evidence that republics are not I'm,
grateful, and l thank you, Mr.. Chair
mar and gentlemen of the committee,
for the gracious, cordial and kindly
welcome which you have given ne to
my home"
The band played "The Star Spangled
Banner" and then Cardinal Gibbons
pronounced the benediction.
There was the Usual hustle and con-
fusion as the ceremonies closed, and
then the crowd r~earranged itself, a
broad path was cleared across the
Plaza and Admiral Dewey stood up be-
hind the President to review the pa
rade.
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 were loud
calls by the crowd for Schley, and in re-
Spouse that officer stepped into the
vacant stand and bowed repeatedly to
the people.
The sword, except its steel blade and
the body metal of its scabbard, is en-
tirely. of % carat gold. On the pom
mel is carved the name OF the battle
ship Olympia, which was Dewey's. flag
ship at Manila, and tie zodiacal sign
for December, in which lucky month
Dewey was born. Circling these is a
closely woven wreath of oak leaves.
long employed to indicate and adorn
rank.
Below these the pommel is en-
braced by a gold collar, On the front
OF which are the arms of the United
~ - r.