The San Francisco call., 1899-05-26
THE FITTING HONOR FOR DEWEY

| I |HlLE the American people OF all seCuohs VI
! w the Union eager to render honor to Dewey
and to manifest their appreciation OF the value
of his service to the republic it is to be noted that
their enthusiasm has by means overcome the clear
common sense which is one of their most salient
characteristics. Their Willingness to support any
movement tending to fitting honor for the hero
does not imply sanction to all the freak schemes
that have been devised by fake newspapers osten-
sibly to paw tribute to the Admiral but really to ad-
vertise themselves.
This discrimination on the part OF the public is
shown not only in the popular rejection OF the MINOR
schemes but in the criticism to which the movement
to provide home for the Admiral in Washington
has been subjected by OF the most influential
papers in the East. That undertaking has unques-
tionably many merits If it be that Deweys duties
to require his residence in the national capital
hereafter it is right that he should have mansion
worthy of his rank and his hospitality, and alto
gether proper that his fellow citizens should besow 1t
upon him gift. Nevertheless serious objections
have been made and some of these good grounds.
The Chicago News for example while commencing
the scheme in general way, says But after all IS
said and done the affair will be quite to the taste
either of the people of the Admiral 1t is the best
we do, but it is very long way from perfect 1t
is called expression OF gratitude the part OF the
nation But in fact, only inhnitesimal traction OF
the population will join in the subscription, and IN
spite of all pretenses the affair will remain gratu1ty
bestowed by comparatively few men-and that IS a
thing that nobody likes Nothing take away this
favor although it certain that both the subscribers
and the recipient wish to regard it otherwise,
Another objection which has been several times
urged to the undertaking is that while Washington
mansion would be notable recognition OF the debt
due by the republic to the hero, it would not in any
way serve as memorial of his victory or be signih
cant future generations. 1t would be provision
for the private comfort Of the Admiral, and not for
his fame his honor, and to that extent would fall
short OF what is his due.
No objections however, OF any kind have been
urged against the movement to erect a monument in
his honor. The discriminating judgment OF the pub
lie perceives that such would be indeed the proper
and fitting way in which to commemorate at once the
greatness OF the victory in Manila Bay and the pa
triotc valor of the Admiral. To this undertaking,
therefore the common sense of the people gives full
sanction and it is received with an unaloyed ap-
proval.
1t is to be noted, moreover that Dewey himself has
to some extent approved similar undertaking in his
native State inasmuch as he has said in dispatch
that the purpose OF his townsmen to erect statue OF
him to be placed beside the statue of Ethan Allen had
been more gratifying to him than any other honor
that has been proposed Of course the feeling was
due to the love man has for boyhood's home and
the praise OF those who are dear him. but it is fair
to he would also find little qualification in
memorial raised to do him honor on the shores
OF that great where he achieved his mighty deed
and won his lasting fame