The San Francisco call., 1899-10-04
ADMIR- AL DEWEY PRESENTED
WITH THE SWORD OF HONOR

fight; that maintained the victory; that
put the nations flag so high IL the East
err sky that all could see it. that mace
the whole world know and say that our
nation is ( citizen OF the world, come 70
play a man ; part and 70 demand man
power and honor. These qualities. the ma
ton to-day formally recognizes. Happy
you who hear with your own ears what
too often children OF the great listen TO.
May you 1--we so long that you Will De-
hold your own best monument IL your
Country's good. grown greater through
your deeds. Again welcome 10 your own
true home-this city OF the nation.
Perry ended by introducing Secretary
Long. who was received with enthu-
siasm, and, standing bareheaded. ad-
dressed his remarks directly to Dewey,
who remained bareheaded and seated.
Secretary Long spoke as follows:
My Dear Admiral: Let me read a few
extracts from our official correspondents!
covering less than q tOrtulgnts time, ana
row known the world over:
Nv WASHINGTON, April p, 1S98.-Dewey,
Hongkong: War has commenced between
the United States and Spain. Proceed at
once 10 Philippine Islands. Begin opera
uons at once, particularly against the
Spanish feet. You must capture vessels
or destroy. Use utmost endeAv9T1Sss
MANILA. May !. 1ssS.-secretary Of the
Navy, Washington, The squadron arrived
at Manila al daybreak this morning. I'm
mediately engaged enemy and DESTROYED
ron Is, uninJured- Few men We're slightly
wounded. DEWEY"
May I.-secretary of the Navy. Wash
ington: ! have taken position OF the naval
station. Philippine Islands. l control bay
completely and can take city a. any time
The squadron in excellent health and spir-
its ! am assisting and projecting sick
and wounded. DEWEY
''WASHTNGTON. May Il. 1S95--Dewey:
The President, in the name Of the Amert-
can people. thanks You and your officers
and men for your splendid achievement
and overwhelming victory. in reCOgni-
ton he has appointed you acting rear ad-
thanks 70 you by Congress as q foUnda-
tion for further promotion
IN those few words what a volume OF
history what record OF swift. high.
heroic discharge Of duty. You went you
saw, you conquered It seems but yester-
day that the republic. full OF anxiety.
strained its listening ear TO catch the first
word from those distant islands OF the
sea. II came flashing over the wires that
May morning = the sun burst through
the clouds and filed every heart with the
Illumination Of its good cheer. In the
twin king q an eve your name was on
every lip. the blessing Of every American
on your head, and your country strOde in
stantlE forward mightier power among
the nations Of the world. As We welcome
you back there comes back also the vivid
picture o. that time. with all its hopes
and fears. and with all its swift succeed
ing triumph and glory
Let me now read the act Of Congress in
Resolved. BY the Senate and House OF
Representatives Of the United States Of
America. in Congress assembled, that the
Secretary Of the Navy he and he hereby
Is authorized 10 present . sword OF honor
Of Commodore George Dewey and to
cause 70 be struck bronze medals com
meUorattnS the battle Of Manila Bay. and
70 distribute such medals 10 the officers
and men Of the ships Of the Asiatic
squadron Of the United States under com
uand OF Commodore George Dewey on
MAY /. 1855 and that, to enable the Secte-
tarE 70 carry OUT this resolution. the sum
Of $1,000. or 50 much thereof as may be
necessary, IS hereby appropriated.
Approved June g. ISaS.
Il was by this solemn enactment. aD-
proved by the President that the people
Of the United States made provision for
putting in material form one expression
Of their appreciation OF your valOr as an
achievement aS their representative in
opening the dCOr 70 Q new era in the civ
iii7ation Of the world
The victory at Manila Bay gave you
rank with the most distinguished naval
heroes Of all times Nor was YOUR merit
most in the brilliant victory which YOU
achieved il q battle fought with the ut
most Eslla1try and skill wagad without
error and crowned with overwhelming
success. It was still more in the nerve
with which you sailed from Hongkong
10 Manila harbor. in the spirit OF YOUR
conception OF attack, in your high COM
mandLug confidence as a leader who had
every emergency. and who also had that
Unfaltering determination 10 win and that
utter freedom from the thought Of Dossi-
bility Of swervtng from his purpose which
are the very assurance OF a victory. No
captain ever faced more crucial test
than when that morning. bearing the fate
and the honor OF YOUR country IN your
hand. thousands Of miles from home. with
every foreign port in the world SMUT 70
you. nothing between YOU ard annfhfIa-
ton but the thin sEeathing Of your ships
your cannon and your devoted officers and
. men. you moved upon the enemy'S bat
teries on shore and on sea with unfiinch-
Ing faith and nerve. and before the sun
was half way Up il the heavens had ST
fenced the guns OF the foe. sunk the hos
tile feet. dem1ustra ted the SUPREMACY Of
the American sea power and transferred
10 the United States an empire Of the
I Islands OF the Pacific. Later, By YOUR
display OF large powers Of administration.
by your poise and prudence and by your
great discretion, not only IN act. but also
/ in word, which is almost more important.
You proved yourself great representa-
tive citizen OF the United States as we'll
as its great naval hero.
The luster Of the American navy was
gl0riOusly bright before, and you have
added 10 il a new lus1er. It's constellation
Of stars was glorious before and YOU have
added TO il another star Of the first mag
Ditude And yet many Of your grateful
COuntrymen feel that. in the time to come
II may be your still greater honor that
YOU struck the first blow under the prov
/ idence Of God in the enfranchisement OF
those beautiful islands which make the
great empire Of the sea: in relieving
them from the bondage and oppression Of
centuries and in putting them on their
way. under the protecting 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 enlightened and happy nations
Of the world so that generations hence
your, name shall be TO them household
word. enshrined in their history and in
their hearts. Clouds and darkness may
linear about them now. but he shining