The San Francisco call., 1899-11-22
GlF is TO HEROES.

u MOVEMENT is on foot to present Rear Ad-
\ miTal Schley house. Other gifts to the
heroes OF the Spanish and Philippine wars are
contemplated. 1t is to be hoped that these projects
will be abandoned. As far is known none OF the
intended recipients are in want AS rule the projects
originate IN the desire OF one to achieve no.
torety on money gotten by appeals to patriotism
or TO the ever-present sentiment OF hero worship
Men trained to arms enter with delberation a pro-
iesson IN which they are set apart from the
OF their countrymen, in order that in martial emer
gencies they may do their duty 1t is to them an
injustice to make ii appear to the world that their
duty is done in the expectation OF substantial pres
ents. The eight Beers who made new Their
mopylae on the bear vedt OF South Africa by stand
ing their ground target for British bullets in or
der to give large body OF their comrades in arms
chance reach safety in the hills probably had no
other thought as they faced the guns OF brigade
than that they doing their duty and no hope
nor expectation OF any after reward had place in their
thought The approval OF their heroic souls was all
they had and all they hoped for
An American feels uneasy at the first results OF the
giving OF gifts Admiral Dewey was given ready
made house by his admirng countrymen. AS he
quantity said, he wanted house all ready where he
could go at once and hang up his hat AT that time
1t was not known that there was lady in the case
who also had a hat to hang up But there was, and
in honeymoon eXuberance the admiral has given
the house 10 his wife The result is most remarkable
reversal OF public feeling that illustrates the exceeding
volatility OF people. Ten days ago every Ameri
boy born into this world was marked TO bear the
name OF Dewey at his christening. That name to
conjure with was adopted into commerce as a trade
mark for many things. But now it is regarded with
different feeling, and the heros picture is hssed
when shown in the kinetoscope. Scores OF sub
scrbers 10 the fund rather indecately worrying
the committee for return Of the money, and ef-
fervescen enthusiasm has been turned into the spirit
OF carpng and criticism. The event is calculated
to subject Americans TO rdicue and to take the fine
bloom off the feeling that pervaded the country and
sought expression in the welcome given to the great
admiral But it seems that the country felt that Mrs
Dewey, very rich woman, was not in need OF I
house and draws distinction between giving him
mansion in which his wife and family are sheltered
under his ownership and giving Mrs. Dewey house
in which the admiral hangs up his hat on her suffer
ance To put it squarey, the country seems to feel
that the lady had large lot OF luck in getting the
foremost man in the world for husband, and should
not have had gift house thrown in AS consola-
ton TO the angry donors who want their money back
we beg suggest that they may find comfort in that
scripture which saith that it is blessed TO give
than receive. They gave the house and grounds
and hatrack and pantry and, hope, well-stocked
cellar, and have already received the blessing with
which they would part if their money refunded.
In that respect they cannot their cake and keep
it Then really it is unfair to demand that the COM
mittee give back the money for the only recourse
they have is to pay out OF their pockets to
ask Mrs Dewey sell her house and return the price
to them. We hope the donors will see how embar-
RAISING this will be to the committee 1t will be bet
ter proceed to raise the 100000 required 10
carry out the proposition to have the Dewey Arch
in New York City made permanent structure by
reproducing It in marble. That will perpetuate the
hero's memory, and, as he cannot deed the arch 70
his wife, the country will possess nalenable
mortal OF the battle OF Manila Bay