Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-03
Washington's welcome to Its Famous
Citizen.

Washington's Welcome to Admiral Dewey
was not simply national in its character. 1t
was at every paint and in every feature
marked by evidences of the deepest sin
ccrity and the most ardent enthusiasm
The capital city experiences many demands
upon it for outbursts Of popular acclama-
tiCn. Being the seat of government, 1t eX-
lists in an atmosphere of great events, peo-
ped by prTsonages Of worldwide fame and
great power. Occasions are required Of
exceptional Importance to arouse it to
the pitch of heartiness. Admiral Dewey $
coming mas been unique among all the cpl
sodes of national local history which
have summoned the capital to unusual
90 rncnstrations. A great naval commander,
whose victories in war ard diplomacy have
changed the map of the world and written
new policies into the national program, has
returned to his country and his home and
has been welcomed in a manner to cause
the nation to pause and observe and APP
plaud.
1t is by no means disproportionate that
so great a demonstration has been planned
and conducted for a solitary individual.
Admiral Dewey is more than an individual.
He is a type of the American seaman and
citizen. and as such is admired and even
loved by his fellow countrymen, just as he
is respected and admired by all the world
He has been met at the threshold. and later
at the capital, of the country by welcome
of stupenoous proportions, involving great
cost and the presence of millions of people.
No effort has been spared to cause him to
feel that his conception and performance
of his duty have the unreserved approval
OF all the people.
The New York celebration was essentially
al, oft,
noon with the proceedings at the Capitol,
when Admiral Dewey took into his hands
the visible, tangible token of the nations
gratitude the sword of honor voted by the
Congress of the United States. On his
shoulders glistened the insignia of the eX-
allied rank which had been conferred upon
him. Around him were naval officers of
the formerly superior rank, CAD to ac-
knowledge him their commander. BY his
side sat the civilian officers of the govern
ment, proud of him as countryman and to
share III his welcome. At his feet stretched
a vast multitude of people, representative
of the nation and h0arse with shouting
their plaudts. The air giittered with the
trappIngs of thousands of soldiers and sail
ors, including his own faithful. brave men
of the ship, whose name goes into history
along with his. II was a supreme moment.
i he ndtlGn : OEerlnS TO Admiral Dewey
is but a bauble, costly ana beautiful as il
is, compared with the deep sentiment which
has sunk into the hearts of the people,
which found utterance when the cheers Of
the crowds on Pennsylvania avenue caused
the hero of Manila to rise in his carriage
from the side of the President and TO bow
his barred head in acknowledgment That
sentiment is not the mere admiration OF a
nan who possessing superior equipment,
destroyed an enemy. 1t IS not the love of
the physical prowess which carries a fighter
safely through the conflict, or Of the cour-
age which causes him to stand undismayed
amidst the missiles of the TOE. 1t is far
removed from the adula'ion of the mob for
mere bravado. II is the respect which a
nation of sane, balanced, intelligent people
feel for a man who combines courage with
refinement. val0r with discretion. success
with modesty. patriotism with prudence.
and thus presents the figure of a noble
man.
Washington has risen adequately to the
occasion. Enbodyins here all the varying
elements which combine to make great ma
ticn. it represents on all occasions the i'm
pulses of every section and state. and
when ii cheers, it is the voice of north.
south, east and west, united in one vast
volume OF enthusiasm. When it stretches
forth its hand TO welcome its hero it is act
ing in the name of ali the people. Nothing
could have been more satisfactory than the
spirit of this demonstration. extended TO
one who has stirred the capital as have
few other men in all the long, glorious his
tory of the great republic.