The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-05-17
Welcome Dewey.

AS many cities as contended Tor tne
honor of Homer's birthplace are seek
ing the privilege and distinction OF
welcoming Dewey back from the scenes
of his conquests and fame. The JOUR-
NAILS dispatches last evening present.
ed some idea of the strife OF cities and
sections to be the first to greet the con-
ouering hero when he comes. The
MAYOR of San Francisco has sent to the
Admiral despatch signed by himself
and the mayors of Chicago, Omaha,
Denver, st. Paul, Portland, Los Angeles
and Seattle, inviting him to return by
way of San Francisco, across the great
ocean which was the scene of his VIC
tory, and which he had opened to Am
erican trade and influence. The mayor
claimed for the Pacific coast the privil-
eye and distinction of first welcoming
Admiral Dewey. The Olympia was
built in one of its ship yards. The
volunteers who went to his aid are from
the Pacific and western States, and
they crave the honor of an acceptance
of their invitation.
The assurance that the Admiral may
return during the summer,or early fall,
at time within his own judgement
and pleasure, whenever the exigencies
of the situation in the Philippines shall
permit him safely to release his strong
grasp on the control of affairs there
and turn his command over to Admiral
Watson, has given vigor and lively in
terest to plans for an adequate recep-
ton.
New York is moving actively in the
matter, and it seems to be clear-and
reasonable-that the Admiral who has
added an empire to the Nation shall
first enter the great city of the Empire
State of the Union which is also far
and away the Nations metropolis. All
the signs of the times point to the
homeward journey via Suez canal, the
Mediterranean aud Atlantic, and
thunderous entree through the grand
portals of the Nation at New York.
The mayor of the Greater Metropolis
is asking his brother mayors of lesser
metropolises to come with their most
eminent citizens to the great eastern
seaport city to contribute to the glory
and magnifcence of the Admiral's re-
turn. Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
and other eastern Atlantic ports, are
expecting to greet the Admiral, in
their own harbors, on board his famous
flagship.
Admirals, captains, and lesser heroes,
including the invinclble and exuberant
Jackie, Generals and heroes on land,
down to the color bearer who waved
his comrades to victory up storm swept
heights, have come and gone. Crowds
have pressed to welcome them and ten
der them the homage and gratitude of
the people of the Nation. But all
these demonstrations must "pale their
Intellectual fires" when Dewey comes
home. No man now can estimate the
extent and fervor of the demonstra.
lions in the Admiral's honor. The
prospect of his home coming has fam
ned into blaze the smouldering and
-pervading enthusiasm for the naval
commander who first smote Spain with
swift and deadly blow. Time and
distance have not cooled the ardor of
the American people.
A year has passed since the Spanish
feet was destroyed, and many glorious
events have interviewed, but the enthu.
siasm for Dewey has kept on growing
till the dominating passion OF this
American people is to contrive for him
some adequate form of welcome. When
he sails up New York harbor the scenes
in Manila Bay, May l, 1893, may be
outdone in respect of "halcyon and vo-
ciferous" demonstration.