The San Francisco call., 1899-09-23
SAN FRANCISCO DEWEY DAY.

LIVERY proper effort was made to induce Ad-
| nliral Dewey to touch his country first at San
IL Francisco and cross overland, giving his ad-
mring countrymen in the non-maritime States an op
portunity to honor him according to his due. These
efforts failed. That they made at all was more
for the purpose of testimony to the esteem in which
he is held than in the expectation that the grim old
descendant OF the Vikings would exchange his ship
for palace car on his way to report official head
quarters. His courteous answers to all invita-
tons are set ike jewels among the treasures OF those
who received them, and are held to be sufficient
pensation for the pains taken to let him know how
we felt toward him.
But has all been done that San Francisco owes TO
him? When poor old demented George III of Eng
land lay in physical and mental 1elpessness guarded
on his royal couch, one day the great guns doomed
from the Tower, and among their echoes mingled
the roar of other artillery. The stricken King
reused by the noise asked why the salutes were fired
and was told that it was in honor OF the anniversary
OF one of the battles won in the crisis OF the nations
destiny. Rising in his bed the King cried at was
great day for England" The battle OF Manila Bay
was great day for America. The day on which the
hero of that battle is honored his is great
for America everywhere, and the coolest heart must
beat faster in time its meaning Only the cities that
are around New York harbor are in physical touch
Win IL Ony their people VIII see Ile pageant Hre
at the touch of its enthusiasm and live to cherish the
days memory among the things that gid the past
with a light that nothing else kndle
But that is not enough. The great Admiral went
into Eastern waters in defense OF San Francisco No
matter what we know now. Then we knew that an
unfettered and unresisted squadron Of Spanish war
ships parayzing threat to this port and city.
The Government was so hard pushed by that risk that
1t acquired and prepared to arm merchant craft to
stand between Us and destruction. Our merchants,
with argosies at sea- went to nightly slumber uncer-
tain whether at dawn they would still have their own
which afoat whether it gathered into the
greedy nav OF our enemy. Then came the fight in
that far bay and the feet OF Montjo besomed off
the seas. More than any other people on the CONT
nent we owe to Dewey some expression OF our graft
tude for the fear he turned into courage for the de-
spair thundered by his guns into JOY,
1t is honor to propose that the day of his re-
cephon in New York there be an expression of San
Franciscos feeling for the hero and his deeds. The
committee which managed the marvellous reception
to our own volunteers has on hand surplus of many
thousand dollars There has been much discussion as
to the of Its disposition A portion OF it
should be used In observance here of Dewey day We
have In camp nearly 1900 soldiers They are rest
less in their pent quarters and camp Let the com
1ittee provide music all the bands in the city if
need be, and call out such organizations as can add
to the spectacle, and let have grand military pa
rade in honor of the hero Of Manila Bay.
At the close Of the Civil War two hundred thousand
veteran troops marched down Pennsylvania avenue
In review before Grant, Sherman and Sheridan The
country and the world will forget it. The in
spraton of that day survived as the fire of patriot
ism In tens of thousands of hearts.
The Spanish war is Let the troops that are
with us pass in review in celebration OF the greatest
achievement of that on the water. And as the
marching and the music pass let the sentiment of all
hearts be:
May the service united ne'er sever,
But e'er to their coors prove truet
The army and navy forever.
Three cheers for the red, white and blue.
The committee should at institute the meas
ures needed secure the consent OF the War Depart
nent TO the parade OF the troops, the presence OF
the blueackets from the warshps, and Of civic organ
izations which may add to the scene, and give to
Dewey day an expression that will show forth our
thanks for what the Admiral did for San Francisco.
To such use of some of the funds OF reception day
there will be enthusiastic and patriotic assent and ap
proval and part of the problem before the commit
l. 1,o-1 ,I,, n1Iad