The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-07-21
A Descriptive Poem.

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The poem printed below was writer
bv a native of Vermont, Z. Dwight
Coolidge, son of Rev. 9. H. Coolidge
now pastor of the First Congregations
church, West Newbury, Mass.
The Hero of Manila Bay.
True worth is in beng, not seeming, it's said,
AID the lives of great men that are ottenest read
| Record lifelong labor, and courage OF heart
That real value they may to the nations impa%t.
So twas with our Admiral, famous of late,
Born in the good old Green Mountain state,
Can a place be more proud of the deeds OF son
Than Vermont of what George Dewey has done'
When boy he had energy, courage and skill,
Always ready to do each task with VIII;
Bnt his friends in young George then scarcely
could see
Columbia's great hero-soon destined to be.
BY study good education he gained,
In war and in peace alike he was trained
Aud when the dark clouds of our Civil war tell
He was fitted to act his humble part well.
In that strife he was willing observing and brave
He toIled with purpose, his country to save,
And after peace came, for many long years,
His name as faithful sailor appears
Now Dewey his time did not squander away,
But improved it, preparing for some future day
When his country mig hit need the service OF one
Who could rival what ever before had been done.
TIL bold, earnest man but little thought then
That his name would be written byFame's iron pen
w nile ne swung the gates OF tHe Orleilt Wlue
To the Occldent's greatest Republic,-his pride.
But his purpose IN life was to be well prepared
For whatever service by him could be shared;
The chance that might never have come his way
Was his to improve in Manila Bay.
Twas a warm spring night, and the air still,
With weather the best that sailors could will,
When Commodore Dewey, commanding our fleet
Prepared for his victory, grand and complete.
He stood on his fagship's bridge, cool and calm
As though he had not even dreamed then of harm
And directed his ships as he led them away
On their deadly trip through Manila Bay.
The flagship Olympia, was the first to depart
The Baltimore, Raleigh and Petrol next start,
The Concord and Boston then went out and lined
The smaller ships each fell in behind.
Thus up the channel they sailed, still and slow,
Now exchange a few shots as onward they go,
And then they advance, all silent once more
Toward Manila, still thirty miles on before.
Torpedoes were seen to explode all around
But straight for those Spaniards brave Dewey
was bound,
He had seen torpedoes in Farragut's day
And was ready no fear for them now to display,
Twas a night of suspense to them awful and great
Their hearts beat loudly, none spoke to his mate,
When the order was given they all did t. cir best,
To lie quietly down by their guns for a rest
Soon out of the east as the sunlight burst through
Our men of that harbor could gain grand view
Still on for Cavite, few miles then ahead,
Toward the Spanish fleet their Commodore led.
As he signaed, prepare to engage the ioe,n
Our men let their trusted leader know
How American sailers repare to fight
For leader brave and purpose right.
From the pent-up vengence then felt by the men
And the strain of approaching battle then
AT the sight of those hated ships of Spain,
A chorus yelled out "Remember the Maine"
After this loud and revengeful cry
A few long moments went slowly by
Then the order to open with every gun
Foretold the terrible work to be done.
With eight-knot speed past the foe they moved
Each ship of our squadron its value proved,
And used every gun with all its power
To pour out on awful iron shower.
Thus they passed and repassed those warships of
Spain,
Destruction dealing mid terror and pain.
Then to favor his men, who doing their best
Onr hero ordered them breakfast and rest.
Soon they commenced their firing once more,
And slower yet deadlier than before,
But weak was the fire the Spaniards sent back
For Death and Dewey were hard on their track.
Not long and the Spaniard's choicest fleet
Was sent to ruin obstruction complete
And among the worlds great battles today
We count Dewey's fight in Manila Bay.
Can measure the courage to strike such a blow
On an unknown sea, 'gainst unknown foe!
can we praise too highly, forever, then
The service of Dewey and Dewey's men!