The record-union., 1899-06-23

she has sprung into the attitude OF a
proud liberty-loving republic prosper
GUS. limitless and invincibfe =
The fame Of her cfivalrous sons has
been waited on the golden wings of his-
tory, over the sea to foreign lands even
to the remotest chimes. Her history
presents a long line of heroes whose
names are emblazoned on her escutch-
con and shall ever live to animate and
encourage all lovers Of justice and lib
erty until time shall be no more.
Valor, intrepidity and military genius
did not die with the war Of independ-
ence. which gave to us a Washington in
the army and Barry in the navy.
The war Of 1912 and later our rupture
with Mexico and again our unhappy
| internecine struggle, and now our late
war with Spain but served to add fresh
laurels to the brow of the American
soldier and sailor.
| But among the bright galaxy of in
trepid heroes of which we boast, none
shine more brightly than our own loved
brave and courageo Admiral, George
Dewey. Born in the city of Mont
pelier in the old historic Green Noun
!
| by Ethan Allen and his Green Noun
tain Boys'0s he received his education
in the schools of that city :, His early
years did not presage much of his flu
ture greatness. At school, he was a
recognized leader and the teachers
pang and woe. But as years wore on,
Dewey's character began to form and
his conduct to alter
intended for the army by his father,
who was physician, he was entered as
cadet at the military training school
at Norwich. But after the many and
repeated solicitations of young Dewey
whose desire was to traverse the foam
ing main, the father relented and in
1854 he entered the Naval Academy at
Annapolis. He graduated with honor,
and in a short time began his brilliant
naval career-a career of eternal glory.
When the war of the rebellion broke
out, Dewey received the commission Of
Lieutenant on the historic old battle
ship Mississippi, one of the most ac-
tive ships in the. squadron of the FAM
Gus and immortal David Farragut
| While Lieutenant on the Mississippi
Dewey displayed his courage, daring
and intrepidity, especially when she
was destroyed at Port Hudson, being
| the last to abandon the burning ship.
In recognition of his splendid qualities
he was transferred as Lieutenant Com
mander to the famous Kearsarge, the
avenger and conQueror of the Alabama.
After the war was over he was re-
called to Annapolis, there to assume the
| duties Of Naval Instructor. Spending
some time at this post he visited the
Pacific Coast in 1873 Snd having re-
| mained three years, he returned to
| Washington After being elevated to
the Captaincy Of the Pensacola, and
making a. long cruise on her, he, on ac-
count of his energy and ability in plan
ming and executing any naval matter in
volving detail and patience, was raised
to the rank of Commodore, and by di-
rection of Governor Theodore Roose-
Welt. the celebrated Rough Rider of
Ell Caney, the then Assistant Secretary
of the Navy, Dewey was put in COM
mand of the Asiatic squadron with in
structions to sail to the Orient.
! AS yet hostiiities with Spain had not
been opened. Spanish duplicity had
not been displayed, but when our gal
liant ship, the Maine, as the object of
Spanish hatred, was blown up and sunk
| beneath the waves of Havana Bay,
| bearing 266 American heroes, the in
evitable had come. War was declared.
Dewey prepared his fleet, and having
received orders, general in their. nature,
to destroy the Spanish fleet at Manila,
he stood ready to hoist the signals Of
his flagship and steer straight for Ma
nila Bay.
The Spanish authorities at Manila ex-
pected the coming and attack of Dew
| ey, and for some time had prepared
against it, their fleet guarding the en-
| trance of harbor we'll fortified both
by shore batteries and submarine
mines. But the fleet being ordered TO
retire to a point seven miles below the
city, Dewey with the calm courage
| that ever distinguished him entered the
| strange harbor under the cover of dark
ness. before the guns of many forts and
| Drawing the hidden torpedo and mine.
Like Nelson at Trafalgar, Dewey en-
| tered by a strategic move the strong
hold of the enemy. Passing safely the
| shore batteries he soon sighted Ad-
miral Montijo's flag flying from his
| flagship. He made straight for the en-
emy, and the greatest battle of modern
naval warfare, the pride of a great
| nation, was begun.
| The American ships in their we'll
directed, methodical movements alter
| nately advanced and retreated, and
with their battle cry, Remember the
Maine" the American gunners began
| that continuous blast of wel-directed
steel which not only cracked the Span
| iSh shullS but cracked the Cr,aDiSh En-, :.
| pire.
| fighting, Dewey withdrew to rest his
| -hard-worked crews and to replenish the
| magazines. Again returning to the at
| tack, he took up the game of death,
| nor stopped until the proud fleet of
Spain was an almost total wreck.
The battle of Manila Bay was won, and
| thus within the space of a few hours
was accomplished the grandest naval
exploit of modern times. Again did the
| American navy assume the mantle of
it's worldwide prestige; again was the
memory of Perry and the daring ex-
ploit of Farragut impressed on the
world by the latest and grandest
achievement of American arms.
| His capture of the Spanish fortress
and city of Manila without losing a
man will go down in history as the
greatest naval achievement of the
world, shining example of American
genius, daring, and Yankee pluck.
The effect of the victory of Manila
upon the minds and spirits of the
| American people throughout the land
and upon the fortunes Of war was in
I