The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-10-11

have the honor of presenting to you
this beautiful sword. II, during the
many coming years which, trust, will
be yours of useful service TO your eoun-
try, it shall remain sheathed in peace,
as God grant it may, that fact will per-
haps be due more than anything
else to the thoroughness with which
you have already done its work. l
congratulate you on yolr return across
the sea in full health Of mind and
body to receive it here; here in the Ma
tiOnsl capital; here on these consecrat-
ed steps where Lincoln stood; here,
standing between the statue of the first
President of the United States and him
who is its living President to-day; here
in this beautiful city, adorned with the
statues Of its statesmen and heroes, the
number incomplete until your own is
added; here amid this throng of citi-
zens, who are only a type Of the mill
ions and millions more who are all ami
mated by the same spirit of affectionate
aud grateful welcome. / cannot doubt
that it is one Of the prOudsst days OF
your life, and know that it is one Of
the happiest in the heart of each one Of
your fellow countrymen wherever they
are, whether on the continent or on
the-far off islands of the sea. Now,
following the authorization of Con-
gress, / present this sword OF honor
which l hold in my hand-my hand.
Rather let it go to you through the
hand of one who in his youth also
periled his life and fought for his eoun-
try in battle, aud who to-day Is the
commander-in-chief of all our armies
and navies, the President of the United
States"
MCKINLEY PRESENTS THE SWORD.
AS Secretary Long concluded he
passed the sword to President McKin-
ley. The latter rose and faced the adj
miral. Dewey was visibly affected,
and brushed his gloved hands across
his eyes before standing at attention.
The President said:
admiral Dewey-From your en-
trance in the harbor of New York, with
your gallant crew and valiant ship,
the demonstrations which everywhere
have greeted you reveal the public es-
TEEN of your heroic action snd the full
ness of the love in which you are held
by your country. The voice of the Ma
tion is lifted in praise and gratitude for
the distinguished and memorable ser
vices you have rendered the country,
and all the people give you affectiOnate
welcome home, in which l join with
all my heart. Your victory exalted
American valor and extended Amer
lean authority. There was no flaw in
your victory; there will be no faltering
in maintaining it. (Great applause.
1t gives me extreme pleasure and great
honor in behalf of all the people to
hand you this sword, the gift Of the
Nation, voted by the Congress of the
United States"
The President handed the admiral
the sword with deep bow, and there
was roar of applause as Dewey receiv-
ed it. The crowd was hushed as he
turned to reply. Admiral Dewey said:
'I thank you, Mr.. President, for this
great honor you have conferred upon
me. l thank the Congress for what it
has done. l thank the Secretary Of
the Navy for his gracious words
thank my countrymen for this beauti-
ful gift, which shall be an heirloom in
nay family forever as an evidence that
republics are not ungratefdl, and l
thank you, Mr.. Chairman and gentle
men OF the committee, for the gracious,
cordial and kindly welcome W hieh you
have given me to my home"
THE MAGNIFICENT SWORD.
The sword, except its steel blade and
the body metal of its scabbard, is en-
tirely of - karat gold. On the POM
mel is carved the name of the Olympia,
Dewey's flagship at Manila, and the
zodiaeaI sign for December in which
lucky month Dewey was born. Cir
cling these is a closely woven wreath
of oak leaves, long employed to indi-
cate and adorn rank. Below these the
pommel is embraced by a gold collar,
on the front Of which are the arms Of
the United States, with The blue field Of
the shield in enamel. Below them are
the arms of Vermont, Dewey's native
State, with the motto, Freedom and
Unity" and the colOrs of the shield in
enamel. The plain part Of the gold
collar is decorated with stars, and q
band of oak leaves. The sword blade
is damascened with the inscription:
|'The gift of the Nation to Rear Ad-
miral George Dewey, q. s. N, in MEM
Ory Of the victory at Manila bay, May
/, 1887
The sword grip is covered with fine
sharkskin bound with gold wire and
iniaid with gold stars. The guard is
an eagle terminating in claw which
grasps the top in which the blade is
set. The eagles Outstretehed wings
form the guard proper. The seabbard
is of thin steel, damascened in gold
with sprays of a delicate sea plant, the
ros marinus, typical Of fidelity, con-
staney and remembrance. These sprays
are interlaced; stars ill the inner
spaces, dolphins the outer spaces
Sprays of oak leaves and acOrns secure
the rings and trappings of the scab-
bard; above these on the front Of the
scabbard is raised monogram in dia-
monds entwining the letters &c. D."
and Immediately under them are the
letters "U. s. N" surrounded bysprays
of the sea plant. The ferrule or lower
end of the scabbard, terminates in en-
twined gold dolphins. The sword box
is OF white oak, inlaid with black vel
vet, and at the center Of the cover has
a gold shield surmounted by an eagle
and inscribed with a single star and
the words Admiral George Dewey,
u. S. N"