The record-union., 1899-10-04

pie, Almost Breaking Down
Under the Strain When Secre-
tary Long Delivered the Pre-
se1ltation Address.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-The cul-
mination of Admiral Dewey's tri-
umphal Homecoming was reached to-
day in the shadow of the dome of the
National Capitol. Here he received from
the hands of the President the mag
nificent jeweled sword voted by Con-
gress in commemoration of the victory
of Manila Bay. This was the official
reason for the ceremony.
But mere official sanction could never
have thrown into the demonstration the
fervor of enthusiasm that was meted
out To the Admiral as he appeared be-
fore the vast audience, composed not
only of all of the highest officials in the
land. but of spectators drawn from
every quarter of the United States.
The battle of Manila Bay was not for
gotten, but it might be said to have
been relegated almost to second place
in the desire to do honor to the man
who had proved himself as great after
victory as before it, and who had
shown in the long and trying months
that followed his triumph the quail
ties of a statesman and wise admin
istratOr as well as those of the fighting
leader of a victorious fleet.
And enhancing these qualities was
that of the manly modesty displayed
in the quiet dignity with which he
met the occasion. This trait of Dewey S
character was in evidence from the mo-
ment he reached the stand side by side
with the President. He paused at this
point for a moment, unwilling appar-
emily to take the place that had been
prepared for him ON the right of the
platform, lest he should appear to
usurp the place due to the Chief Mag
istrate.
President Mckinley grasped the sit
uation IN an instant, and, taking hIs
great sea Captain by the arm placed
him by gentle force in the chair that
had been intended for him. Later in
the day, as the carriage bearing the
official party drove away from the Cap
itol between walls of cheering people,
the President again displayed his tact
by remaining covered and ignoring the
demonstration himself, leaving its ac-
acknowledgement to the Admiral.
For Dewey it was a trying as we'll
as a triumphal day. 1t had been given
to few officers in the naval history OF
the country to sit before a crowd or
thousands while the chief of the naval
establishment dilated on their exploits.
And then to stand before the same
crowd to receive at the hands of the
President a sword prepared for him ar
the behest of the representatives of the
whole people.
The strain upon Admiral Dewey
reached almost to the breaking point
None but those nearest to him could
see how he labored to repress his feel
ings during the address of Secretary
Long, but when he arose to receive
the sword from the hands of the Presi-
dent no one could mistake the flash of
the white gloved hand as it rose to
dash away the tears before the Ad-
miral came to the rigid attitude of at
tention before his chief
When it came Dewey's turn to reply
his voice failed him, and he made the
effort twice before his lips would re-
spond. When he did succeed his tones
We're clear and steady but so low that
only those nearest him could hear.
There was an exquisite comedy fol-
lowing the trying formalities, though
it escaped all but those directly on
the sYand AS the Admiral closed and
took his seat he turned to the Presi-
dent. and in a tone of quizzical appeal
inquired:
Now, really. don't you think did
pretty we'll for an amateur"
Once during the ceremonies Secretary
Long embraced an opportunity to ease
the trying situation for the chief actor
in the days events. When the Secre-
tary began his address the sun was
shining directly in Admiral Dewey's
eyes. and without his hat he was nj
it's mercy. The Secretary quietly in
serted in his address a low aside, "Ad-
miral, turn your chair a little; we don'i
want to have you blind"
One Of the most remarkable features
of the eventful day was the ovation
to Rear Admiral Schley on the return
of the party from the Capitol to the
White House. His carriage was sew.
eral numbers behind that of the Presi-
dent and Admiral Dewey, and received
an ovation that scarcely ranked below
that accorded the Admiral himself The
tumult grew as the carriage paced
down the avenue and the crowd surgeo
around it until the horses We're brought
to a. foot pace. Finally a company oi
the High School Cadets came to the
rescue and formed about the carriage
in a hollow square. Thus protected and
flanked by a force of police. the car.
riage reached the White House with 9
long gap between it and the next Off
cial guests.
Out of the store of his experience
the President was able to give Admira
Dewey one valuable suggestion before
leaving the Capitol. The venerable
Cardinal Gibbons was presented, ant
after an exchange of greetings tht
President asked the Admiral if he fel
equal to a general ordeal of hand
shaking. The hero of Manila swerveC
from the shock explaining that hi:
right arm was partially paralyzed from
the experience in New York
Let me suggest to you," said the
President, that hereafter you shake
the other mans hand. Don't let hin