Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-17

The Homecoming of Dewey will be OF
more than national interest IL VIII De a
great historical event. 1t cannot be com
pared with any incident I'm American an
nails but only with a few spectacles IN
the chronicles Of the older nations. in
;ts career Of l23 years the United states
has fought many wars and paid tribute TO
many heroes II has celebrated many
victories and has welcomed on vast
scale its triumphant generals and men,
but never has there been such union
OF remarkable occurrences and at the
Same time such an absence of those tea-
lures which tend TO saddcn or make
solemn victor's triumph.
In the War Of the Revolution the thir-
teen Colonies were exhausted long before
the seven weary years Of conflict were
over. and the henOrs of success were as
much due TO the veteran battaliOns OF
France as TO the ragged COntinenta.s. In
the war of 1872 the advantage was TO
neither party. We had defeated and been
Defeated. We had driven back England's
feets and armies. but had lost our own
capital and seen our bravest regiments
repulsed amid terrible slaughter.
The war with Mexico was one-sided
from beginning TO end, and was precipi-
tated and carried on against the will of
nearly one-half OF the American people.
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Communication and locomotion were
slow fifty years ago, and the victorious
march of the American soldiery against
the poorly-trained and armed levies of
Mexico did not possess the interest which
rharacterizes a world drama. The many
Indian wars, though fierce and sangui-
nary, were looked at as fOregone cOnclu-
Bions, while the greatest war of our re-
cord. the civil conflict. was so vast, ter
rible. and deadly that its termination
came more as a relief than triumph. 1t
was saddened by the consciousness that
Il was the crushing OF one brother by
another the injury and destruction Of
ourselves. and the gaining Of an end at
cost OF nearly equal value.
How different il is with the immortal
victory Of Manila
One Of the great battles Of the world
one in which the power Of the Spanish
monarchy in the far East was shattered
and annihlated with a single blow; one
which changed the political and CONNER
cial geography Of the globe one which
made ridiculous all the predictions Of
European critics and prophets; and,
strangest Of all. one in which no Ameri-
can life was offered upon the red affairs
OF glory
FINAL ARRANGEMENTS MADE.
Final arrangements have been made for
the naval parade I'm honor Of Dewey's
homecoming. The North Atlantic squad
ron will not meet Dewey's flagship, the
Olympia, but as many Of the naval YES
Bels as can De got together vii. welcome
the Admiral. probably at Tompknsville,
and form his escort during the water pa
rade. Gable advices say that Dewey is
carefully drilling his men, and does not
Conceal the fact that anxiety on this point
arises from his wish TO have them make
a good showing on getting back to New
York
No reading can be more interesting and
emusing TO patriot than the literature
OF Europe in the year Of our LORD, 1888,
prior 10 the firing of the first gun by an
American cannon at "a Spanish ensign.
The mildest opinion printed Spain above
the United States as "a military and naval
power. A leading English publication
summed up the situation as they viewed
St in n few brief words and figures: THE
United states has an inferior navy OF
about sixty vessels. several Of which are
worthless manner by 1900 men: Spain
has rs steam war vessels, many Of them