The times., 1899-05-14
SUNDAY. MAY Il. 1899.
A Washington Home for Dewey.

The enthusiasm occasioned by the pros
pect of Dewey's return has taken nracu-
cal form in the suggestion that he be pre-
sented with a suitable home in this city.
where as Admiral of the Navy. he will
officially be stationed. and where. pre-
sumably. it will be his wish to spend the
remainder of his days. Nowhere should
the proposition meet with more hearty
endorsement than in Washington. where
the Admiral is well known. and where
his permanent residence would be most
becomingly established.
Nothing that the country could do for
Dewey would be more appropriate as an
expression OF the patriotic sentiment OF
the Nation than the purchase OF a hand
some residence for him here. And doubt
less there is no form OF compliment which
would be more agreeable or welcome to
him. He has already received many trib-
utes al the hands of the Government To
him has been accorded first rank in the
Navy; he has been given a sword Of
honor. and ne has also been the recipient
OF vote OF thanks from Congress. 1t is
yet too early to talk about a monument
to him. for monuments are mementoes of
the dead. but a house is something that
he would value, even though he is bach
elor. As Admiral Upshur points out all
the officers Of high degree in navies other
than our own are usually provided by
their Governments with suitable estab-
lishments.
In the absence of any residence supplied
for Admiral Dewey by our own Govern
ment, the suggestion that one be provided
BY popular subscription should meet with
the patriotic response Of the people. Dewey
is returning in urgent need of rest after the
cares and responsibilities OF the past year
or more. He is pre-eminently the man
in high command during the war who
kept his head under all circumstances and
who showed no disposition in the way Of
bOasting TO take advantage of his magnifi-
cent achievements. On the other hand.
he studiously refrained from saying any
thing that would tend to bring his per-
sOnality into increased conspicuity. For
this reason there is the greater exultation
over his return, and the greater spon-
taneity in the welcome TO be accorded TO
him. To various bodies which have in
has telegrsphed that the condition of his
health viii not permit his acceptance.
He doesn't want dinners; he doesn't
want a loving cup; and he is decidedly
ayerse TO being pulled and hauled across
the continent for exhibition purposes.
The subscription to the home should be
of national character 1t should be ex-
pressiye of a sentiment not OF one sec
tion. hut OF all, without regard to age,
Sex, politics. color. or any other considera-
tion. For it would, no doubt. be a source
OF qualification 10 the Admiral TO realize
that the house in which he lived was the
grateful gift Of rich and poor alike, OF
young and old. OF people Of all kinds. who
wanted TO express for him nations ad-
miration and affection.
II it be urged that the movement IS
premature and unprecedented. the answer
is that 1t is neither. II is not premature
for it Is desirable that the subscriptions
should be received as soon as possible:
and il is not unprecedented. for homes at
the Capital were provided for Grant sher-
man. and Sheridan. by whose side. though
a naval instead OF a military figure. Dewey
is easily entitled TO stand.
Washington. the country may rest as
sured. viii do its full share in swelling the
home fund. not only as the National Capt.
tai, but as the city which will. of course,
be chiefly honored as the Admiral's place
OF residence.