New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-01
"DEMEl UAI."

This is the day we celebrate. 1t might seem
Better from one point of view to call it one Of
SSuch days. For the festal calendar Of patriot
ism Is growing crowded with red letters. There
Is scarcely q month in the year that does not
hold some anniversary Of National interest and
|lsgnfcance; scarcely week that does not
Econtain one worthy Of AT least passing notice.
But for the present this is pre-eminently the
Ebay we celebrate-the day of days in all the
splendid calendar. 1t is the day that revolu-
{fonlzed the sentiment Of all the world On
'April 80. 1905. Spain was still confident and
lmenacing. the United States was uncertain OF
Tits own strength and half fearful of disaster
land all the rest Of the world was doubtful
ssceptlcal or contemptuous In its attitude toward
us On May 2. 1898. Spain was crushed and
hopeless. the United States exutant with the
flush of accomplished triumph, and the whole
world aware that q new world-power Of COM
manding potency had taken its place upon the
stage. What happened in the loud Sabbath"
between those dates was what caused that
mighty change and is the inspiration of our
festival to-day. And just as that change Of
worldwide sentiment was one of the most
noteworthy and significant in all our history so
Us this day deserving OF cOmmemoratiOn COM
parable with that of any in all our calendar
| 1t was strange turn of fate's direction. yet
because of that very strangeness characteristic
OF war. that caused that blow to be struck
when and wherc II was The war arose over
Cuba. The Gulf and the Caribbean were ex-
pected to be its chief theatre Men We're talk
ing Of swift attack upon Havana looking for
the dreaded Cape Nerd feet reckoning the
probabilities Of a Spanish descent upon our
North Atlantic Coast. and nearly all fearing
some serious disaster TO this country before the
ultimate victory should he gained. Every eye
was turned toward the Western Atlantic and
The Spanish Main. And then. like the proven
bal bolt from the blue came those bewldering
and tremendous tidings from Manila Bay The
blow had fallen at the Antpodes. As sud
denly and almost az unexpectedly as the foul
destruction Of the Maine came awful vengeance
FOR the Maine In the Tong wash of Aus
tralaslan seas" In that event ii was demon
strated. as II could scarcely have been in any
other way. that when two nations are at war
In one place they are az war in every place.
and that war when once declared can no more
be restricted TO some stated area than thun-
fderbolt can be restricted to one stated path
way In che clouds II was the same lesson
that was taught three centuries before, when
while England and Spain were frownng al
zach other across the Channel and the Ray of
Biscay. Drake ravagcd Spanish treasure-ships
in the South Sea.
Not the least clsim of Dewey's victory to
lasting remembrance and TO yearly recurring
celebration is this: That its completeness Ia
not been lessened nor its glory furnished 10y
any subsequent revelations or performances
Many another gallant feat Of arms has, 10 the
first flush Of victory, been overstated and made
70 appear too great; and the later story OF lis
cost has caused sad reaction from the first
rejocings. Not this. The first news did
not do II justice. Every additional days dis
patch only made II appear more splendid. And
now that the days have multiplied until they
have joined the full cycle of the year. the ma
tured and permanent record Of II Is actually
prouder and more exultant than the news that
came through the very smoke Of strife More
than one great commander. too. has dimmed
the lustre OF his achievements by lnjudiciOus
after-conduct. Not so Dewey He has been ms
incontestably first In peace as he was first IN
war. In all the weary months Of siege, OF
waiting OF annoyaDces and irrifations and
temptations, there has not been moment when
his attitude and conduct have not been as