The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-10-04
THE TEARS
continued BON FIrst Flee.

Of America. in Congress assembled, that
the secretary OF the navy be and he
hereby Is authorized 20 present a sword
OF honor to Commodore George Dewey.
and 10 cause to be struck bronze med
ais, COMMUNICATING the battle OF Ma
Mia Bay. and TO distribute such med
els 10 the officers and men OF the ships
Of the Asiatic squadron Of the United
States under command Of Commodore
George Dewey, on May 1. 1888. and that,
70 enable the secretary 10 carry out
this resolution. the sum Of ten thou
sand dollars, or so much thereof as may
be necessary, is hereby appropriated
out Of any money In the treasury not
otherwise appropriated
approved. June 3, 1898"
Il was by this solemn enactment, ap-
proved by the President, that the peo-
PIE Of the United States made provis-
lon for putting Ia material form one
expression OF their appreciation Of your
valor as an officer Of their navy, and Of
your great achievement as their repre-
sentative In opening the door 20 new
era In the civilization Of the world. The
victory at Manila bay gave you rank
with the most distinguished naval he
roes OF all times. Nor was your merit
most in the brilliant victory which you
achieved IN a battle fought with the
utmost gallantry and skill, waged with
out error. and crowned with over
whelming success.
Elements OF Dewey's Greatness.
It was stIH more In the nerve with
which you sailed from Hong Kong TO
Manila harbor; in the spirit Of your
conception OF attack; IN your high
commanding confidence as 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 assur-
ance Of victory. No captain ever faced
q 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 eV-
cry foreign port in the world shut TO
you. nothing between you and annihi-
lation but the thin sheathing OF your
ships. your cannon and your devoted
officers and men. you moved upon the
enemys 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 feet. demonstrated
the supremacy OF the American sea-
power, and transferred to the United
States an empir. Of the islands Of the
Pacific. Later. by your display Of large
powers Of administration, by your poise
and prudence. and by you= great dis
erection. not only In act, but also In
word which is almost more important.
you proved yourself O grent representa- =
tive citizen OF the United States, as
Tsr- ~ hnrn Thu
lustre Of the American navy was glor'
lousiy bright before. and you have add
ed to II a new lustfc. Its constellation
Of stars was glorious before and you
have addei TO IT. another star Of the
drst magnitude. And yet, many OF your
grateful count-ymea feel that. in the
time TO come. Il may be your still
greater honor that you struck the first
blow. under the providence Of God In
the enfranchisement Of those beautiful
islands which make the great empire OF
the sea: In relieving them from the
bondage and oppression Of centuries
and IN putting them on their way, I'M
der 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 nationf OF
the world. so that generations hence
your name shall be TO them a house
hold word. enshrineG in their history
and In their hearts. Clouds and dark
ness may llnger about them now. but
the shining outcome Is as sure as the
rising OF the sun. Whatever the pass
ing fluctuations and difficulties OF the
present moment, they will in due time.
soon and surely give way to the dawn
OF a glorious new day--a day not or
any mere selfish imperial dominion Of
one people over another, but Of the i'm
perial moral and physical growth and
expansion OF all the peoples. whatever
their race or language or color. who
have come under the shelter OF the
broad shield OF the United States OF
America
a New Responsibility.
BY authorizing the presentation OF
this sword to you Us the mark Of It's ap-
provaI, your country has recognized
therefore not only the great rich fruits
which, even before returning from your
victory, you have poured into her lap.
but also her own responsibility to dis
charge the great trust which Is thus
put upon her and fulfill the destiny OF
her own growth and OF the empire that
is now her charge, II is new demand
upon all the resources OF her conscience,
wisdom and courage. II is a work In
the speedy and beneficent consumma-
tion OF which she Is entitled TO the cor
dial help. sympathy and upnrt or all
her citizens, not the faint hearted
doubts and teasing cavils OF any OF
them. It Is a work on which she has
entered in the Interest OF early peace in
those new lands. their stable govern
ment, the establishment In them Of law
and order, the security OF life and prop
erty. and the American standards OF
prosperity and home. Let those who
fear remember that though her chill
dren. guided by you, took the wings OF
the morning and dwelt in the uttermost
parts OF the sea, even there the hand of
our fathers God shall lead them and his
right hand shall hold them. In this
work, in view of the great part you
have taken in the sudden development
Of her sovereignty. your full knowledge
OF the situation, and the Just hold you
have on the hearts OF all her people, she
looks for your continued service and lis
tens for your counsel In the high hope
and purpose that the triumph OF her
peace shall be even greater than her
triumph In war.
II h NV good fortune, under the
terms OF the enactment Of Congress, TO
have the honor OF presenting 10 you this
beautiful sword. II during the many
coming years which, trust Will be
yours. Of useful service TO your coun-
try. II shall remain shenthed In peace
as God grant II may, that fact viii per-
haps be due more than anything else 70
the thorOughness with which you have
already done It's work. / congratulate
you on your return across the sea in
fun health Of mind and body TO receive
It here; here In the National Capital: