The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-04
Battle Of Manila Not Forgotten But Rele-
gated to Second Place.
THE HERO'S VOICE FAILED HIM
Secretary Long Delivered an Eloquent
Speech and Dilates Upon Exploits
and Heroism of the Admiral
Schley Receives an Ovation

Washington, October 3-The elimination
of Admiral Dewey's triumphal Homecoming
was reached today in the shadow of the
national capitol. Here he received from the
hands of the president the magnificent
Jeweled sword voted him by congress in
commemoration of the victory of Manila
bay This was the official reason for the
ceremony. But mere official sanction could
never have thrown into the demonstration
the fervor of enthusiasm that was meted
out to the admiral as he appeared before
the vast audience, composed not only of all
the highest officials in the land but of
spectators drawn from every quarter of the
United States. The battle of Manila bay
was not forgotten, but it might be said to
have been relegated almost to second place
In the desire to do honor to the man who
had proved himself as great after victory
as before it, and who had shown in the
long and trying months that followed his
naval triumph the qualities of a statesman
and a wise administrator as we'll as those
of the fighting leader of victorious fleet.
A Man of Manly Modesty
And enhancing these qualities was that of
manly modesty displayed in the quiet Dig
nifty with which he met the occasion This
trial of Deweys character was evidenced
from the moment he reached the stand, side
by side with the president. He paused at
this point for a moment, unwilling appar-
entity to take the place that had been pre-
pared for him on the right of the platform,
lest he should appear to usurp the place
due to the chief magistrate. President Nc
Kinley grasped the situation in an instant
and taking his great sea captain by the
arm, placed him by gentle force In that
chair that had been intended for him.
Later in the day as the carriages bearing
the official party drove away from the capi-
tol between the walls of cheering people,
the president again displayed his tact by re-
manning covered and ignored the demon
stration himself leaving it's acknowedg-
ment to the admiral alone
Trying as Well as Triumphal Day
For Dewey it was as trying as well as
triumphal. day. 1t has been given to few
officers In the history Of the navy and
country to sit before a crowd OF tens OF
thousands while the chief Of the naval es-
fablishment dilated upon their exploits and
to stand before the same crowd to receive
at the hands of the president sword pre-
pared for him at the behest of the repre-
sentatives of the whole people. The strain
upon the admiral reached almost to the
breaking point None but those nearest
to him could see how he labored to repress
his feelings during the address of secre-
tary Long, but when he arose to receive
the sword from the hands of the president
no one could mistake the flash of the white
fn ia oh the
tears before the admiral came to the rigid
attitude of attention before his chief.
His Voice Failed Him
When it became Dewey's turn to reply his
voice failed him, and he made the effort
twice before his lips would respond When
he did succeed his tones were clear and
steady, but so low that only those nearest
him could hear.
There was an exquisite bit of comedy fol-
lowing the trying formalities, though it
escaped all but those directly on the stand.
As the admiral closed and took his seat he
turned to the president and in tone Of
quizzical appeal, inquired, Now. really,
don't you think 1 did pretty well for an
amateur?"
One of the most remarkable features of
the eventful day was the ovation to Rear
Admiral Schley on the return Of the party
from the capitol to the White House.
Schley Receives an Ovation
His carriage was several numbers behind
that of the president and Admiral Dewey
and received an ovation that could be
scarcely ranked below that accorded to the
admiral himself. The tumult grew as the
carriage proceeded down the avenue and
the crowd surged around 1t until the
horses were brought to foot pace. Final
ly a company of the high school cadets
came to the rescue and formed about the
carriage in hollow square. Thus pro-
tected and fianked by force of police the
carriage reached the White House with
long gap between it and the next official
guests.
Mckinley Give, a Dinner
President Mckinley in honor of Admiral
Dewey tonight gave the largest dinner
party in the history of the White House
social functions. Covers were laid for over
eighty persons. The guests included the
cabinet. the governors of nine states, JUS
tices of the supreme court. some of the
members of both houses of congress, army
and navy officials, and others. 1t was a
brilliant affair. Admiral Dewey came at