The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-10-05
A NATIONS GIFT
Sword Voted by Congress Form
ally Presented to Admiral
Dewey.
Most Magnificent of All Demon.
strations Since His Ar
rival Home.
Remarks of the President and of
Admiral Dewey---Sword
Described.


to the nations hero, swas bestowed upon
Admiral Dewey, in the presence of the
president, the members Of the cabinet
and the judiciary, the highest officers
Of the army and navy and q vast crowd
Of the plain people. In strong contrast
with all Of the ceremonies that have
taken place since Admiral Dewey
reached the shores of his native land.
this function was severely official in
character. I
The administration was executing the
will of the whole American people and
locality and community disappeared.
The scene of the presentation was APP
proprlately located under the shadow
of the great white Capitol of the nation
Ia spot filed with memories of other
stately ceremonies. -E
The escort which marched in line
with the admiral was made up entirely
of soldiers and sailors.
There was nothing in the general ar
engagements and the. immense crowd
that swept through the beautiful plaza
to indicate that the occasion was any
thing less than a presidential Inaugural
ton. From the fag-decorated stand,
the crowd below presented a picture Of
an immense field of faces turned up
toward the shining white pile of the
Capitol. Seats were provided on the
grand stand, stretching between the
buttresses Of the east portico. Here it
was that the most brilliant coloring
was laid on the great living picture as
the gold and blue of uniforms and the
brighter garb Of the diplomatic corps
drifted in.
Then came the solid mass Of the
naval officials, headed 10y Admirals
Sampson and Crowninshield. There
were few scattering cheers. but no de-
cided demonstration until Dewey ap-
peared.
1t was before this vast assemblage,
amid profound hush, that Admiral
George Dewey received from the hands
of its chief executive, the sword ma
ton gave him. The focus of thousands
of eyes, the central figure Of magni6.
cent tableaux, he stood with military
erectness, at attention, and listened to
the eloquent tributes paid him by the
president and naval chief, speaking
from the hearts Of the people. AS bright
q sun as shat which brilliantly shone
on that May day, a cleaning sun, the
crash Of brass, flags waved in glorious
sea of color-and the most picturesque
ceremony of the nations capital has
ever seen. ended.
The Presentation Ceremony.
Just Bs the sun reached the meridian
gun doomed in the direction
of the river, the Marine band with
flourish struck into the strains of
"Hail to the Chief" and the procession
moved slowly down the steps to the
stand.
The crowd cheered long as the party
took their seats, Admiral Dewey rising
with bare head to respond to the ova-
ton. A colored servant in livery threw
a naval cloak over the admiral's shout
ders as he took his seat. Prayer was
offered by Rev. DR.. Bristol, President
McKinley's pastor.
Ross Perry then made the introduc-
tory address, { which was Justify
cheered. He ended by introducing
Secretary Long, who was received with
enthusiasm and, standing bareheaded
in the sunshine, addressed his remarks
directly to Dewey, who remained bare
headed and seated. The speech was
received with cheers.
The Presidents Words.
As Secretary Long concluded he
passed the sword to President McKin-
ley. the latter rose and faced the ad-
miral. Dewey was visibly affected and
brushed his gloved hands across his
eyes before standing at attention.
The president said:
Admiral Dewey: From your en-
trance in the harbor of New York, with
your gallant crew and valiant ship, the
demonstrations which everywhere have
greeted You, reveal the public esteem
of your heroic action, and the fullness
of love in which you are held by your
country.
"The voice Of the nation is lifted in
praise and gratitude for the distin-
guished and memorable services you
have rendered the country and all the
people give you affectionate welcome
in which we all join heartily.
Your victory exalted American
valor and extended American authority.
There was no flaw in your victory;
there will be no faltering in maintain
ing it. Great Applause.)
1T gives me extreme pleasure and
great honor on behalf of all the people
to hand you this sword, the gift of the
nation, voted by the congress of the
United States.
The Admiral's Reply.
The president handed the admiral the
6word with deep bow, and there was
q roar Of applause as Dewey received it.
The crowd was hushed as he turned tt
the president. Admiral Dewey said:
II thank you, Mr.. President, for this
great honor you have conferred upor
me. thank the congress for what il
has done. I thank the secretary Of thu
navy for his gracious words, thank