The record-union., 1899-10-03

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2.-The home
coming of Admiral George Dewey-for
henceforth the National Capital is to
be his home-was made the occasion for
the greatest tribute ever paid by WASH
ington to any individual. After the
preliminary welcome at New York, it
self unsurpassed in its kind. it re-
mained for the highest and greatest
in the official world to hold out the
hand of greeting TO the famous Ad-
miral, and to join with the people who
are TO be his fellow citizens in bidding
him welcome.
The citizens had made every prepara-
ton to make the occasion worthy of
their hero. The decorations were elab-
crate. Pennsylvania avenue was one
mass of colored bunting along the en-
tire line of march from the station to
the White House and not content with
this, few private citizens failed to make
some display of cOlOrs on their resi-
dences. Unique designs in fairy lamps
dotted the horizon; great searchlights
threw broad beams of bright light
across the blue sky on a clear October
evening, and the stately Capitol stood
revealed in its queenly beauty in the
powerful rays Of many concentrated
lights. The same device was used
effectively in the case of other pub
lie buildings, which stood within the
range of vision of the distinguished
party which stood to review the great
throng of people which passed slowly
along beneath the prov of the white
Olympia which projected in bold relief
from the stand at the head Of Penn
syIvania avenue, whereon stood Dewey,
the central figure in the demonstra ton.
on the facade of the newly completed
Government Postoffice building famed
forth two inscriptions set in electric
points, the one reciting the famous
message of the President directing
Dewey, then thousands Of miles away
in the Far East, to go forth to destroy
the Spanish feet, and the other set
ting out the famous Admiral's direction
to the lamented Gridley. You may
fire when you are ready, Gridley,"
which marked an epoch in the history
of the United States.
Twelve thousand members of civic
organizations paraded before him, be-
sides tens of thousands Of non-organ-
lied citizens, and in a roar of cannon,
rockets and the blaze of red fire and
the thunderous cheering of the popu-
lace and the warm greeting of the head
of the nation, Dewey came to the Ma
tional Capital and to a welcome such
as has not been known here hitherto
His journey from New York had been
one continuous ovation, limited in its
intensity only by the density of pop
ulation. The decorated special train
which left the Pennsylvania Railroad
ferry slip in Jersey City at / 30 o'clock
in the afternoon, was fully in keeping
with its distinguished passenger. 1t
was made up of five cars. the Penn
sylvania's prize special, the Atlanta, a
dining car, a combination smoke. and
three parlor cars for the accommoda-
tion of the Washington Reception Com
mittee. The special was given a clear
track, and the run to Washington was
made without a stop except at Gray's
Ferry. on the outskirts of Philadelphia,
where engines We're changed and a new
train crew came aboard.
Almost Immediately after going
aboard the train the Admiral retired TO
his private car for luncheon. which was
served for six, Admiral Dewey. his son.
George, his brother and wife. CAPTAIN
Lamberton and Lieutenant Brumbv.
Thereafter the Admiral lay down and
tried to get a little Sleep but this was
impossible, owing to the continuous
ovation along the line
1t was said by the railroad 4officials
and trainmen that the ovation during
the run from New York to Washington
was the most remarkable that has
ever taken place along the line Every
town turned out its full population and
every house and crossroads settlement
was turned inside out To see the flying
special pass. Admiral Dewey was par
ticularly touched all along the line by
the number of children who turned out
TO see him.
All along the line every train, freight
and passenger that passed the special
saluted it with long-drawn blast of
the whistle and in all the larger towns
where the flyer slowed down within
the city limits, there was a continual
roar Of steam from factories, machine
shops and the shifting engines on the
sidings.
The train as it reached the line of the
District of Columbia stopped for a few
minutes at the little station of Dean
wood, while the Reception Committee
went through the fornality of present
ing the nations guest the freedom OF
the District. The ceremony was per-
formed by District Commissioners
Wright in the presence of the Ad.
miral's fleet Captains. the military and
naval members of the party and as
many of the Reception Committee as
could be crowded into the AdmiraIs
cat.
John Addison Porter, Secretary to
the President, first extended President
McKinley's greetings, to which the
Admiral returned his thanks very
briefly.
II want to thank you very much,
my friends" he said, for this testi-
monial of your regard. 1t is true that
as long as / live, and hope to live a
long time (cheers) I intend to live in
Washington. i thank you again for
this expression
Then dropping the tone of formality