Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-16
DEWEY IN WASHINGTON.
me National Significance of the
'apitnl's Welcome to the Admiral.
From Harper's Weekly.

From Harper's Weekly
pctoDer 3, 1889 will always be memorable
in the history of Washington as the one
day on which another man than the Presi-
dent of the United States held SWAY over
the people 1t was a graceful act on the
part of President Mckinley to volunteer his
services as chief host in welcoming. as the
temporary guest of the nation the hero OF
Mania bay. Probably the same honor has
never Deen paid to any citizen Of the repub-
nc. and none approaching It to a dignttary
OF lower rank than President-elect Pros
ldents sometimes cast aside formalfry and
claim the privilege of showing personal
courtesies to friends in and out of official
life, but this is the only instance recalled
by the oldest observer where the chief mag
lstrate of the nation has so completely
waived his rank for the time in a festivity
at the capital city. Even when Mr. McKin-
ley makes way for his successor. he win
retain his formal primacy down to the mo-
rnent that the President-elect takes the
oath of office.
Admiral Dewey's reception in WASHING
ton, though following that given him in
New York, was planned a good while be-
iore IT, The general expectation was that
IN pursuance OF almost immemorial prac-
tee, his first destination on returning to
TINS country would be the seat of the fed
erai government, to report to his civil su-
>
the Navy. The central feature az the
Washington celebration was Of course the
presentation of the sword voted TO the adj
mlral by Congress. and around thar the
other details gradually grouped themselves
as the plan was turned over in the minds
of its projectors. The difference between
the TWO celebrations aside from their re-
spectNe degrees of elaboration, Is suggest
ed by the inscription on the memorial arch
at Madison Square and the significant
words OF the President in delivering the
sword; New York s reception was a tribute
typical of the gratitude Of all that has made
the United States industrially and COM
mercfally great, for the protection Of our
seacost against assaults from a hostile
navy: Nashington's demonstration was de-
signed TO typ!fy the nations recognition of
its own enlargement by Dewey's act New
1ork's ovation was magnificent, as is
everything OF the sort undertaken by the
commercial metropolis; washington's was
less grand, proportionally with the differ
ence in the size and wealth of the two
cities, but In another phase 1t represented
more IN epitome: President and his cab
met bore the part which has been and will
be taken elsewhere by governors and NAV
ors; the chief marshal of the military par
ade was the major general commanding
the army of the United States, and the
sword presented to the hero OF the day
was the joint gift Of all his fellow coun-
trymen.
best beloved with kindness. 1t was a sorry
commentary on the American pump-handle
habit that the admiral should have entered
the city of Misunderstanding par excellence
with a right arm and wrist 30 swollen by
his ELUSIVE greetings elsewhere that he
was obliged to use his left hand for almost
everything except the formal functions of
reviewing. 1t was a nervous ordeal also
through which he was put by the wild en-
thuslasm OF the populace- Though a man
of the world. George Dewey has always
been private rather than a public favor
lite. He has never sought the kind of adu-
lation which is the lifes breath of many a
popular hero. Those who saw him as he
his face toward the monday sun, listening
to words of praise such perhaps had
never been showered upon another Ameri-
can in his own presence, and scarcely able
to hear them distinctly because of the con-
tinuous turlult Of cheers from the people
on all sides, may well have doubted
whether he were not under a heavier strain
than when he had faced the guns of an
enemy. Throughout this trying period his
bearing was a marvel OF dignity and mod
esty combined. 1t the common
mark that he looked every inch the ad-
miral: and yet, in his keen appreciation Of
the beauty of his sword and his enjoyment
of the oratorical points made by the speak
ers in reference to other subjects than him.
self, his emotions were as frankly trans
parent as those of a schoolboy. In the city
which he left commodore "a rank now OBJ
solete), and to which he returns an adj
miral-a rank rarely created for the great
est heroes in our history-he will always be
remembered as he appeared on that Octo-
Der day when he added a whole nations
hearts to his other trophies Of victory.