The evening times., 1899-07-05
AN OVATION FOR scHLEY.
Crowd Nearly Overyvh elmed Him n
the Chester Celebration.

Crowd Nearly Overwh eImed Him ut
the Chester Celebration.
Chester, Pa, July 5.7-With Admiral
Schley as the central figure, the celebra-
ton of the Fourth here was one of the
biggest events in the history Of the city.
Thousands Of people massed around the
Schley rock, in Chester Park, on which was
inscribed Welcome, Schley, July 4, 1S99."
AT the foot of the rock was the speakers
platform, with the American flag flying
The Admiral put in an appearance about
O'Clock in the afternoon, driving up in
company with his host, Col. A. X. Nc
Clure, and Col. ]. A. G. Campbell and Fred.
A. Howard, park commissioners. Drawn
up along the boulevard were a battalion
of the Sixth Regiment, composed OF COM
panies b. c, and L, Of this city, and H, Of
Media; and thirty members of the Chinese
Naval Reserve. AS Schleys party drove
under an arch bearing the. words, Honor
to whom honor is DUE eannons fired an
admiral's salute of eighteen guns. A band
tried to make itself heard, but the music
was drowned in the popping OF thousands
of firecrackers suspended in "a string from
tree and touched off by the Cinnamon.
With this uproar was mingled the cheers
OF $1,000 men, women, an6fchildren
The Admiral was driven down the boule-
ward through the crowd and then back.
School children frantically waved flags.
Mayor Jeffries led the distinguished visit
or to the platform, and called for three
cheers, which were given with will The
efforts of the children to- make themselves
heard amused the Admiral. Turning to
Mayor Jeffries, he said "Oar country is
safe with these young people growing up
to take care of u.s." Two pretty girls
broke through the ropes guarding the
stand and rendered their congratulations
on the victory of a year ago. To this the
Admiral replied: THE reason the men
the men behind the guns. If we did any
thing that makes your life better and safer
ii was worth the effort
When formally introduced by Mayor JEFF
fries Admiral Schley said: my friends, /
only wish that my voice had the reaching
power that the guns OF the fleet did. which
seems to have reached you all 80 much
more effectively. (Applause.) 1 did not
come here with any idea OF making a
speech; / only came here to be gladdened
with your smiles and to say to you that
whatever my part may have been in MAX
Ing the folds of the flag more beautiful
was cheerfully borne. 1t was borne with
the satisfaction that the little good that
/ could do or that could help others TO
contribute was largely to the prestige OF
our people and to the asfety and to the Sc
curity of their best interests.
Il am glad to say that / came from the
State and from the city that gave birth
to Francis Key, the author of the national
anthem, and was born in sight of Mount
Vernon (applause), and both of these
events We're sufficient for any inspiration
They are sufficient to have justified any
action or any part taken In the defence
of the flag and in the support of our peo-
ple On the Sd of July 1898, which we
commemorated yesterday, there was wor
a notable victory. 1t was one that changed
the geography Of the hemisphere. 1t was
one that added additional lustre to the
grandeur OF our people, and to have taker
part in that, however small. was suffi-
cient for a lifetime of satisfaction
thank you very much. indeed. Cap
plause)
An ode composed by Prof c. E. Foster
superintendent of the Chester city schools
entitled The Banner of Liberty" was
sung by the children. The closing speect
OF the day was made by Col A. K Nc
Clure. When he paid a tribute to Dewey
| and Schley he was vociferously applaud
ed.
AT the conclusion of the exercises the
admiral was fairly carried off his feet by Q
rush OF people, most of them women and
children, all eager to shake his hand
Finally Gordon of policemen was form
ed around him, and, escorted by them, he
reached his barouche