The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-04
and seated. Secretary Long

most in the brilliant victory which YOU
achieved in battle fought with the ut
most galantry and skill, waged without
error, and crowned with overwhelming
success 1t was still more in the nerve
with which you sailed from Hong Kong
to Manial harbor; in the spirit of your
conception Of attack; in your high COM
handing confidence as a leader who had
weighed every risk and prepared for
every emergency, and who also had that
unfaltering determination to win and
that utter freedom from the thought or
| possibility OF swerving from his purpose.
| which are the very assurance of vic
tory. No captain ever faced a more
crucial test than when that morning.
| bearing the fate and the honor of your
| country in your hand. thousands OF miles
| from home with every foreign port in
| the world shut TO you: nothing between
you and humiliation, but the thin sheath
ing OF your ships. your cannon and your
| devoted officers and men, you moved
| upon the enemy's batteries on shore and
on sea with unhinching faith and nerve.
and, before the sun was half way up in
| the heavens, had silenced the guns OF the
| foe, sunk the hostile fleet, demonstrated
| the supremacy of the American sea pow
er. and transferred to the United States
an empire of the islands of the Pacific.
Later. by your display of large powers
of administration, by your poise and pru-
! dence. and by your great discretion. not
only in act, but also in word, which is
almost more important you proved your
self a great representative citizen of the
United States, as we'll as its great naval
hero.
And yet, many of your grateful coun-
trymen feel that, in the time TO come, it
may be your still greater honor that you
struck the first blow, under the Provi-
/ dence of God, in the acknowledgment of
thoA beautiful islands which make the
great empire of the sea; in relieving them
from the bondage and oppression of CEN
turtles and in putting them On their wal,
under the protecting shield of your coun-
try's guidance, to take their place in the
civilization, the arts, the industries, the
liberties and all the good things of the
most enlightened and happy nations Of
the world, so that generations hence your
name shall be to them a household word
enshrined in their history and in their
hearts.
by authorizing the presentation of this
sword to you as the mark Of its approx
al. your country has recognized therefore
not only the great rich fruits which even
before returning from your victory, you
have poured nito her lap but also her
own responsibility to discharge the great
trust which is thus put uon her and full
fill the destiny of her own growth and of
the empire that is now her charge.
"It is my good fortune. under the terms
of the enactment of congress to have the
honor Of presenting to you this beautiful
sword. II during the many coming years,
which, 1 trust, will be years Of useful
service to your country. it shall remain
sheathed in peace, as God grant II may
be, that fact will be due more than any
thing else to the thoroughness with
which you have already done its work
I congratulate you on your return across
the sea in full health of mind and body
to receive it here; here in the national
capital; here on these consecrated steps
where Lincoln stood; here standing be-
tween the statue of the first president of
living president today; here in this beau
tiful city adorned with the statues of its
statesmen and heroes, the number incom
plete until your own is added; here amid
this throng of citizens who are only
type Of the millions and millions more
who are all animated by the same spirit
of affectionate and grateful welcome. /
have no doubt 1t is one Of the proudest
days of your life and I know it IS one OF
the happiest in the hearts of your fellow
wherever they are, whether
on the continent or on the far-off Islands !
of the sea.
Now. following the authorization OF
congress, I present this sword OF honor !
which I hold in my hand. My hand?
Rather let it go to you through the hand !
of one who in his youth also periled his |
life and fought for his country in battle |
and who today is the commandments |
of all our armies and navies, the presi-
dent of the United States"
AS Secretary Long concluded he passed
the sword to President Mckinley. The
latter rose and faced the admiral. Dewey |
was yisibly affected and brushed his glow
ed hands across his eyes before stand
ing at attention. The president said:
Admiral Dewey-From your entrance
In the harbor of New York with your |
gallant Grey and valiant ship the demon
STATIONS which everywhere have greeted |
you reveal the public esteem OF your |
heroic action and the fullness Of the love
In which you are held by your country. /
The voice Of the nation IS lifted to praise |
and gratitude for the distinguished and |
memorable services you have rendered
the country, and all the people give you
welcome home, in which /
Join with all my heart
your victory exalted American valor
and extended American authority. There
ives no flaw IN your victory; theer will Be
no faltering in maintaining f. Great
applause) It gives me extreme pleasure
and great honor, in behalf Of all the peo-
Die. to hand you this sword. the gift % a
nation, voted by the congress Of the
United States
The president handed the admiral the
sword with a deep bow. and there was a
oar Of applause as Dewey received r
The crowd was hushed as he turned %
-eply. He said:
~ thank you. Mr. President, for this
treat honor you have conferred upon me.
thank the congress for what Il has
lone. I thank the secretary Of the nav
or his gracious words. hank my e01n-
ryren for this beautiful gift. which
hail be an heirIoom IN my family for
yer. as an evidence shat republics are
iot unKratefuL And thank you. Mr
Hartman and gentlemen . the commit
&c, for the gracious, cordial and kindly
Welcome which you have given me % M
.ome
The band played star spanzfed Pan
ar- and then Caralnal Glabons pro