The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-04

"" N"NNs ~ NhS AaNNt anu W
your great achievement as their repre-.
sentative In opening the door to new
era In the civilization OF the world,
The victory at Manila bay gave yor
rank with the most Distinguished ma,
val heroes OF all times, Nor was your
merit most In the brilliant victory
which you achieved In a battle fought
with the utmost Eallantry and skill
woged without errors, and crowned
with overwhelming success. II was
stlll moro In tho nerve with which
you sailed from HonSkong to Manila
haIbor; In the spirit OF your eoneSp.
ton OF attack; In your high command.
Ing confidence as leader who had
weighed every risk and prepared for
every emergency, and who also had the
pntaiterng determination 20 win and
that utter freedom from the thought
or possibility u swervlng from his pur.
pose which are the very assurances OF
victory.
No captain ever faced more crucial
test than when that morning. bearing
the fate and honor OF your country
In your hand. thousands Of miles from
home, with every foreign port In the
world shut to you. nothing between
you and annlhllatlon but the thin
shsSthlnE OF your ships, your cannon
and your devoted officers and men. you
moved upon the enemy's batteries on
shore and on sea with unfinchlng faith
and nerve. and before the sun was half
way up In the heavens had silsneed
the guns Of the foe. sunk the hostile
fleet. demonstrating the supremacy Of
the American sea power and trans
fcrred to the United States an empire
Of the islands OF the Pacific.
Later. by your display OF large pow
ers OF administration. by your polse
and prudence and by your grea, dis
oretion. not only In act but also in
word, which is almost more important,
you proved yourself great represen-
tative citizen OF the United States as
well as a great naval hero. The lustre
Of the American navy was sloriously
bright before, and you have added to II
new lusire. Its constellation OF stars
was glorious before. and you have add
ed to It another star OF the first mag
nitude.
And yet, many OF your grateful coun-
trymen feel that. In the time to come.
it may be your still greater honor that
you struck the nrst blow. under the
providence OF God. In the enfranchise-
ment OF those beautiful islands which
make the great empire OF the sea: In
relieving them from the bondage and
oppression OF centuries and putting
them on their way. under the protect
ing shield Of your country's guidance.
to take their place in the civilization,
the arts, the industries, the liberties
and all the good things OF the most en-
lightened and happy nations OF the
world, so that generations hence your
name shall be TO them a household
word, enshrined in their history and in
their hearts. Clouds and darkness may
linger about them now. but the shining
Is as sure as the rising sun.
Whatever the passing tribulauons
and difficulties Of the present moment,
hey viii in due time surely give way
o the dawn Of a glorious new day-the
lay not Of any mere selfish imperial
dominion Of one people over another,
tut OF the imperial moral and physical
'rowth and expansion OF all the pso-
les, whatever their race or language
r color. who have come under the {
helter OF the broad shield Of the Unit {
d States Of America
Ey authorizing the presentation Of
his sword to you as the mark OF It's 3
pprOval, your country has recognized
therefore, not only the great rich fruits
'hlch. even before returning from y
our victory you have poured into her
lp but also her own responsibility TO
lscharge the great trust which Is thus
ut upon her and fulfill the destiny Q
her own growth and OF the empire
lat is now her charge. 1t is a new de- "
and upon all the resources Of her con-
Continued on Third Page.)