The times., 1899-09-27
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER q. 1899
The welcome to Dewey.

The American people ought 10 have one
elorifed opportunity to shout themselves
hoarse over the man who comes home
crowned with the laurels Of victory which
has added an empire to the national do
main, and who. dividing that honor with
Rear Admiral Schley, has placed the Amer
greatest navies of the world. The mAgnif-
cent metropolis and first maritime city of
degree its wealth, culture, industry, and
commerce. is obviously the proper and only
popular feeling toward Admiral Dewey.
There is tacit recognition of this in pill
grimage TO New York of people by the
hundred Thousand from all parts Of the
Union, to participate in the grandest tri-
umph ever proposed for an American con-
queror and offered to him by the spon-
taneoGs action Of his felloE-eorntrymen.
as the popular and naval contribution to
the honors due the Admiral OF the Navy.
the New York marine and land ceiebra-
lion is completely national 1t combines
ali the elements OF naval, military and
civic welcome in behalf OF the whole peo-
pie. Il VIII be a fitting occasion for the
roar Of guns. the lightning flashes of cleo
trical nluminations, the marching Of an
army. the blare of drums and trumpets;
for an arc ablaze with fireworks and hun
dred miles OF ground crowded with cheer
ing millions.
That reception could not be repeated or
attempted elsewhere. Its like will never
be seen. in this generation at least. in the
United States. For this. as well as other
appropriate reasons, the popular demon
strations Of Friday and Saturday should be
treated as a hnality in that direction. as
in effect they must be. Inimitable, any at
tempt to initiate them would become ride
ulons.
Aside from the impossibiIity of such z
thing. it is well that the second and crown
ing act In the spectacle OF the Dewey prog
ress should derive point and dignity from
its contrast with the first The great Ad-
miral, having been received on his native
shores by his comrades and his people,
proceeds to the National Capital. there TO
pay his respects TO the President OF the
United States and to receive the guerdon
Of victory decreed him by Congressi The
proprieties OF such an occasion are not
written in a sealed and lost booki
Shouting crowds. squibs. roman candles.
and cannon crackers are well enough in
their way and place. but they are calcu-
Hated rather than otherwise to detract from
the perfect decorum which should mark
the ceremonies closing the glorious Dewey
incident In Washington! Rather should
Dopuiarly enthusiasm be awed in contem-
plating the meaning and value to our flag
and country that VIII be involved in the
passage along Pennsylvania Avenue of a
modest. brave. and splendid commander.
who goes TO salute the Commander-in-
Chief. and afterEard the civil chief of
his service. thereby completing a tour OF
duty the results Of which have changed
the map Of the world, and transformed a
remote proyinclalism into one of the three
oTershadowing imperial powers OF the
earth.
Il VIII, indeed, be sight worth seeing.
when on the steps OF the Capitol, the hero
OF Manila shall be presented by the Presi-
dent with the diamond -glittering. golden
sword Of honor given by the nation TO its
first soidieri But that viii not be time
proper for confusion. disorder. frecrackers.
surging crowds and frantic charges by the
police. Such things might be toierabIe in
connection with local event; but this
Is and VIII continue TO be something with
which the residents OF the city have only
'ncidental concern. II is to be thoroughly
national Official function. endowed with all
the soiemnitv and dignity which the cir
cumstances and world events aniecedcnt