The times., 1899-06-18
IMPOSING FBTES TO
HEROES OF THE PAST
Doway'S Welcome Promises to
Rival Them All.
Les; Glitter and More Sincerity for
the Modern COnqHeror.
tions Which History Records-The
Pomp OF Ancient yictOrs.

promises to rival any similar demonstra
tion OF which history gives an account.
The great Admiral will be the recipient
of one grand ovation. which will con inue
for weeks following his arrival in Ameri-
Ca Indeed, it may require a longer Pc
riod OF time 10 cool the ardor OF the peo-
pie for greeting Dewey, especially should
he postpone temporarily visiting some
section of the country TO which he has a.
ready been invited. In all probab.l ty Ad-
miral Dewey's health will not permit his
acceptance OF many of the invitations
which he has received.
The triumph which awaits Dewey will
be totally different from anything ever az
corded TO a conquering hero. 1t will be
costly. and from a spectacular point Of
view imposing, but there will BE- elements
in the great admirai's reception which have
been lacking in all previous ones. In near
ly every previous instance in history, the
imposing greetings have been tenderel 10
military or naval commanders who at the
time were supreme in the government o.
the people who were thus honoring them
Where the government was in the hands
of despot who was usually the conquer
ing general receiving the attention the
people could not but fsel that they must
paying what was apparently a spontaneous
homage. But Dewey is not a despot, and
IN his present station has nothing to say
concerning the government Of the "a, 0,C00.-
coo people who would gladly travel from
far and near TO see and welcome him.
1t is true he holds the highest Office in
the gift OF the people in that branch of
the service where he has spent the greater
part OF his life, yet after all, he is only
an American citizen and in this capacity
will he be most honored and revered. The
people viii pay tribute 10 him because they
admire the sterling Qualities OF his chal-
acter and because they appreciated tho
mighty impetus whicn, by his victory in
Manila Bay, he gave to American prestige
at home and abroad In=y viii honor MIN
from the bottom Of their hearts. There will
be no sham or pretence about Dewey's well
come. II viii be. more than any other in
history. spontaneous and sincere. Every
city and town through which he will pass
after leaving his flagship. the Olympia. viii
turn out Ell nlasse 10 catch a glimpse OF
the eountry's hero ana shout themselves
hoarse in his honor.
At every city where he stops there will
be receptions, parades, banquets. and
speechmaking, until the poor Admiral VIII
probably wish himself back at Manila in
the comparative quiet of fighting a Spanish
feet. AT every town and village through
which he passes in journeying from one
stopping place TO another the railroad sta
lions viii be the objective points for the
bulk of the population Of each and every
village and town. Each village viii have
Its brass band lined up on the station plat
form to play. See. the Conquering Hero
Comes, and in addition will no doubt have
its military and other organizations on
hand in order that each municipality may
better indicate its appreciation.
From the time the Oly- pia is lost sight
OF by the lookout at the Straits of Gibral-
tar the appearance of Dewey VIII be eager
ly watched for and any ship bearing It'd
ings of him before he reaches New York
will be regarded as an especially appointed
messenger to bring good Dewey news 10 an
anxious nation. The Navy Department
will detail squadron TO proceed to sea and
meet the Olympia a few days ont from
New York.
As Dewey's homecoming is still several
months of and the arrangements for his
reception cannot be outlined except in a
very general way. The indications now
point 10 an upheaval Of enthusiasm which
viii surprise the country, and will show
in what boundless esteem republic car
hold one of its citizens. Perhaps no
American hero has ever received a big
spontaneous greeting such as Dewey will
be accorded, and perhaps no hero of the
united country deserved more than Dewey
The custom of extending gigantic greet
ings 10 conquerers or men OF soldierly
genius. who had performed conspicuous
feats at arms began about 500 B. C. and
since that time all great nations have hon
ored in a conspicuous way their servants
who have performed memorable deeds
Dewey's welcome will be the first OF mag
nitcent proportions 10 be rendered 10 2
naval officer. With very few exceptions
great demonstrations have been held in
honor of military heroes, as the majority
OF important battles have been fought on
land.
In ancient Rome the Triumph" was the
great goal toward which the warrior aimed.
The first Naval Triumph" was awarded
10 Caius Dullius- He laid the foundation
OF the supremacy Of Rome on the sea in
the first Punic war. He was said to have
been so elated by his success that during
the rest Of his life when he returned home
at night from dinners he caused flutes to
sound and torches TO be borne before him
One Of the earliest instances is mention
ed in history where splendid pageants were
offered TO show appreciation of trium-
phant commander. was that accorded TO
Alexander the Great by the people of
Babylon after he had defeated the Per-
SLAMS under Darius AT Arhula. Babylon
had been under Persian dominion previous
TO that time. AS the conqueror approached
the city, its governor ordered the road over
which Alexander was TO pass to be strewn
with flowers Massive silver altars with
fragrant incense burning upon them were
placed al intervals along the road and a
great procession OF blooded horses. oxen.
wild animals, and otEer gifts was sent out
TO meet the man in whose hands rested
the power Of life and death over the citi-
zens of Babylon. The display was further
supplemented by a grand parade CT Baby
lonisR soldiery attired in their finest re-
gala.
An immense platform erected ut point
along the roadway was surmounted hy a
large figure representing the Goddess of
Peace, with q raised olive branch in her
hand. signifying the voluntary submission
of the Persians and supplicating the con-
Queror TO show mercy. Alexander was ap-
parenly intoxicated with his success, and
Immediately upon his entry into the city
plunged into a round OF merrymaldng and
debauchery.
In the year 2G7 B. C.. the Roman peopie
accorded TO the consul Claudius Nero, the
supreme honors of The century in which he
lived. Nero, in the battle OF Metaurus. had
defeated the Carthageuian army and kill
ed Hasdruhal. the son OF Hamilclar and
the brother Of Hannibal. thus saving Rome
from probable capture. The Roman peo-
pc were wild with JOY and drew pon every
resource TO pay homage TO the hero The
reception was as grand as the genius of
the people could make IT,
In order that further honor might be
conferred upon Claudius Nero, a home was
built and presented TO him. This was the
beginning OF the custom of building homes
for conquering generals In Rome the hero
for whom 8 house was built was Dermitted
10 live In II during his life After death
the ashes OF the dead soldier were placed
in a receptacle in the walls of the building