Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-13
ECHOES OF THE WAR.

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OF all the receptions and presentations
arranged to signaHze Admiral Dewey's re-
turn home none will equal in popular in
terest the presentation OF the nations
sword OF honor at Washington. The
magnificent testimonial ordered by congress
typihee national esteem for the hero OF
Manila bay. other presentations are OF
local or individual significance. The gift
is worthy of the deed; the recipient worthy
OF the honor. The occasion, therefore.
will be a memorable one, e~qualing in pub
lie interest the inauguratiou OF a president.
The ceremonies will ocsur on the historic
east front of the capitol, and will un-
doubleday be witnessed by as large a null
titude of people as ever assembled there.
Just now a great deal Of interest is
shown in the sword which Admiral Dewey
is to have. The weapon cost $4,000. 1t
was designed by Pauiding Farnham and
was made by Tiffany & Co. Of New York.
1t was completed about January ! and was
sent about the middle Of that month to the
secretary OF the navy, in whose custody 1t
has been ever since.
The sword is undoubtedly one OF the
most beautiful gifts that has ever been
presented to one OF its heroes by a grateful
nation. With the exception OF the steel
blade and the body of the scabbard, the
weapon is made entirely OF 22-carat gold.
On the pommel Is engraved the word
Olympia" the flagship of Admiral Dewey,
and just beneath is the sign OF the Zodiac
for December, the lucky meath in which he
was born. Around these is a wreath or
oak leaves. Just below the pommef is EN-
braced by a gold collar, on the front Of
which is the coat of arms of the United
States, while still lower is the coat OF
arms of his native state, Vermont. 1t bears
the state motto Freedom and Unity
The grip of the sword is covered with
shark skin and wound with fine gold wire.
The guard is carved in the shape OF an
eagle with outspread wings. On the front
of the scabbari are the initials &C. d."
and under them, ~. S. N" The blade of
the sword bears the inscription: The gift
Of the nation to Rear Admiral George
Dewey U. S. N, in memory OF the victory
at Manila Bay, May /, 1885,"
A remarkable incident occurred the other
day at Meadville, Pa, a hotbed Of anti-im-
perialists. Two army lieutenants opened
a recruiting office In town. The antis sur
rounded the pface and actually persuaded
prospective soldiers from enlistiug. Five
were secured and passed, however. and were
notified to return next morning to be
sworn in. Only two came, and these refused
to join the army, saying their neighbors
had told them they would be ostracized
and considered criminals If they Joined the
army 10 fight the Filiplnos.
Lieutenant Colonel Jacob H. Smith Of the
Twelfth regular infantry, writing from
Manila to Banker William H. Thomson Of
st. Louis. says: The United States must
understand that we are only in the begin
ming Of this war and that it will take 100.-
900 soldiers to put down the troubles we are
now beset with in the Philippines. The
army here, which Is minus the tried vet
Grams, has a very alarming amount of sick
men and officers, and there appears to be
no let-up, owing to our having so many
soft recruits
Manila Freedom Of August 1 says that
George Cotton, retired lieutenant colonel
of volunteers and ex-Uuited States col
lector of customs, Manila, was recently
the recipient OF a token that he will highly
prize. The customs agents and brokers
have signifed the high regard in which he
is held by them by the presentation of n
handsome silver tablet, upon which is
artisticar1y engraved a warm address,
couched in the most pleasant terms Of kindly
remembrance. The address is signed by
all the representative agents and brokers
of Manila. During his connection with the
custom house Mr.. Cotton made many warm
friends by his pleasing personal qualities
and general business ability in the dis
patch Of the duties Of his Office"