The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-01

by Governor Lloyd Lowndes.
Admiral Schley, accompanied by Mrs.
Schley and General Miles, and escorted by
a reception committee, arrived from Wash
ington at p. m., and drove In an open car
riage from Camden station to the Rennert
hotel. The streets through which the car
riage passed was lined with people, and
cheer after cheer was given to both the
hero of Santiago and the general of the
army Upon their arrival at the Rennert
an informal reception was held, and at
1880 p. m. the presentation ceremonies be-
gan.
Governor Lowndes Presided
After the 400 guests filed into the big ban
quet hall and took their places they re-
mained standing. Governor Lowndes, who
presided, made a brief but welcome speech
upon Maryland's part in the navy and the
late war, which was received with en-
thusiasm. He then introduced General
Felix ; gnes as chairman of the testimonial
committee. General Agnes said in part:
Fourteen years ago the legislature of
Maryland presented you with the watch
you wear as proof of their admiration of
your daring rescue of those lost in the icy
seas. Now we welcome you-not as a
hero OF the frozen north, but as hero of
the tropics For we. remember that on
July S, 1898 the bridge of the gallant Brook
lyn was more than 120 degrees hotter than
Greeley's camp at Cape Sabine. So do not
be surprised If our joy tonight rises with
he temperature.
"Our legislat ture will not convene until
next year, and we could not wait so long to
do you honor From the rivers of the bay
from the mines of the mountains-from the
levels of the eastern shore to the hills of
the Alleghanies, from all the homes and
from all the people-the cry came, Let Us
honor Schley.' They loved you-they
praised you with their voices"
Blessed With Their Prayers
'"They blessed you with their prayers,
and when the governor appointed a COM
mittee to select q fitting emblem with
which to decorate the people here, their
first thought was to make the gift magnifi-
cent and without a duplicate in the world.
Superb swords have been presented to
you, and each tells of a peoples admiration
for that which you have done. But Mary
land offers tribute in form that will
ever have Its singular charm and mean
ing. You may wear your other hoRors at
different times, but Marylands medal Of
honor will be with you always, and with
it goes the love of a noble people.
ITO have hesitated at Valparaiso would
have lost American lives and slow action
at Santiago would have comprised your
most marvellous victory. True to every
trust, you made every one proud of this
American.
1.-THE medal we present to you tells its
own eloquent story. Ii Is from the STATE
of Maryland-your state-our state, and 1t
tells in your own noble words that there
is glory enough for alP-even for those who
did not fight, but who love you all the more
that you fought for them and their flag"
The Medal Presented
At the conclusion, General Agnes called
upon Governor Lowndes to place about the
neck Of Admiral Schley the medal OF honor.
which the governor did amid perfect
storm of applause which was renewed
again and again, while the admiral stood
and bowed his thanks The medal is beau
tiful beyond description. The Maryland
coat-of- arms is made of gold in bas relief
and enamel, surrounded by circle of fine
diamonds, around which Is an oak wreath
intertwined with diamonds, held by rib
bon of blue enamel, the edge of which is
set with diamonds, and on which is the in
scription:
Maryland Honors Her Son-Winfield
Scott Schley.'
when the applause had subsided, Admiral
Schiey replied as follows:
..Your Excellency, Gentlemen of the Com
mttee, My Friends and Fellow-Country-
men: On the occasion of this ceremony in
honoring with this decoration of your con-
fideuce feel that any words l might en-
pIoy would fail to convey to you the sense
of high appreciation which moves me at
this moment This is the second time In
nv experience Oh lOTly-tAO ySdiS Al tAo
service of my country that my state has
decorated me for services to my nation,
the first having been after my return from
the Arctic regions in the fall of 1884, when
the Lady Franklin Bay expedition was res
cued by the expedition l had the honor to
command.
The DE- ,r. ticns Pi ,eless
.rbe priceless decoration of this occa-
sion for my part in the battle of July 8,
off Santiago, comes to me bearing the love
of the people of this glorious and grand old
state of Maryland, so rich in historic at
tachment and connection with the empire
of liberty 1t brings to me much that
will always last to remind me OF an event
in nv life and service that will live In the
history of our state and country.
1.-THE Victoria cross of England and the
iron cross of Germany are more sought by
the officers and men of the service Of those
countries than any other distinction; they
are conferred by the sovereigns on all
whose martial deeds enhance the nations
grandeur, and they are found alike on the
breast Of the general and of the worthy
priyate on the breast Of the admiral and