Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-10-11
DEWEY AT
THE CAPITAL
The Official Reception to Dewey
at Washington.
President Mckinley Presents the
Sword Voted the Gallant Ad>
miral by Congress.

Washington, Oct 3.-The culmina-
tion of Admiral Dewpy's triumphant
homecoming was reached today in |
the shadow OF the dome II the na-
tional capitol. Here he received from
the hands of the president the mag
nificent jeweled sword voted him by
congress In commemOration of the
victory OF Manila bay. This was the
official provocation for thec-remOny.
But mere official sanction could never
have thrown into the demonstration
the fervor that was meted out to the
admiral AZ he appeared before a vast
audience composed not only OF all the
highest officials in the land, but of
spectators drawn from every quarter
of the United States. The battle OF
Manila bay was not forgotten, but IL
might be said to have bee. relegated
almost to second place In the desire
to do honor to the man who had
proved himself as great after victory
as before it. and who had shown in
the long and trying months that fol-
lowed his naval triumph the qualities
of statesman and wise administrators,
as well as those of the fighting leader
Of a victorious fleet. And enhancing
these qualities was that OF manly
m,desty, displayed in the quiet dig
nifty with which he met the occasion.
This trait of Dewey's character was
evidenced from themoment he reached
the stand, side by side with the pres
ident. He paused at this point for "A
moment, unwilling, apparently. to
take the place that had been pre-
pared for him ON the right OF the
platform lest he should appear to
usurp the place due to the chief mag
istrate.
President Mckinley grasped the
situation in an instant and, taking
his great sea captain by the arm,
placed him by gentle forcein In the chair
that had been intended for him.
Later in the day. rs carriages bear
ing the official party drove away
from the capitol between the walls of
cheering people, the president again
displayed his tact by remaining COW
cred and ignoring the demonstration
to himself, leaving 1t to the admiral
| alone.
One of the most remarkable feat
ures of the event today was the Ova-
tion Rear Admiral Schley received ON
the return of the party from the cap
itol to the white house. His carriage
was several numbers behind that OF
the president and Dewey, and he re-
ceived an ovation that could scarcely
he ranked below that accorded to the
admiral himself. The tumult grew
as the carriage proceeded down the
avenue, and thecrowd surged around
ii until the horses were brought to a
footpace. Finally u company OF high
school cadets came to the rescue and
formed about the carriage in a hol-
low square. Thus protected, and
hanked by force OF police, the car
riage reached the white house with a
long gap between Ii and the next Of
ficial guests. The escort which
marched in the line with the admiral
was made up entirely of soldiers and
sailors.
The president, in presenting the
sword, said: Admiral Dewey, from
your entrance in the harbor of New
York with your gallant crew and
valiant ship the, demonstrations
which everywhere have greeted you
reveal the public esteem of your he
roic action and the fullness Of the
love in which you are held by your
countrymen. The voice OF the nation
is lifted in praise and gratitude for
the distinguished and memorable
services you have rendered the cOun-
try, and all people give you AN affec-
tionate welcome home, In which we
all join heartily. Your victory ex-
allied American valUr and extended
American authority. There was no
flaw in your victory; there will beno
faltering in maintaining it. Great
applause 1t gives me extreme pleas
ure and great honor, on behalf OF all
the people, to hand you this sword,
the gift OF the nation, voted by the
congress OF the United States" The
president handed the admiral the
sword with deep bow, and there
was a roar OF applause as Dewey re-
ceived it. The crowd was hushed ms
he turned to the president.