The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-04

to Manila harbor; in the spirit of your
conception of attack; in your high com
manding confidence as leader who had
weighed every risk and prepared Tor
every emergency, and who also had that
,mfalterimg determination to win, and
that utter freedoms from the thought or
possibility of swerving from his purpose
which are the very assurance OF VIC
tory. No captain ever faced more
crucial test 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 shirt to you, nothing between yadi
and annihiaation but the thin heathlng
of your ships, your cannon and yopr
devoted officers and men, You moved
upon the eneqny's batteries ON shorr ana
ON sea with unhinching faith and nerve,
and before the sun was half way up
tbe heavens had silenced the gums OF the
foe, sunk the hostile fleet, demonstrated
rhe supremacy of the American sen
mower and transferred to the United
States an empire of the islands of tie
Pacific. The luster of the American
navy was gloriously bright before and
You have added to it new luster. lfs
constellation of stars was glorious be-
fore. and YOU have added to it another
star Of the first magnitude. And, Yet,
many of your grateful countrymen feei
that. in the time TO come, 1T may re
your still greater honor that you sfruc<
the first blow, under the providence g
tod. in the enflanchisement OF those
beautiful islands which make that great
empire of the sea: in relieving them
from the bondage and oppression of cen
turtles, and in putting them ON their way,
under the protecting shield of your coun-
try's guidance. to take their place IL the
civilization, the arts, the liberties. the
industries and all good Things Of the
most enlightened and happy nations or
the world, so that generations hence
your name shall be to Them househo'i
word, enshrined i'm their history and IN
their hearts. Whatever the passing trib-
ulations and difficulties of the present
moment. they will in due time soon anu
surely give way to the darwin OF g'lo-
rioiis new day-a day not of any mere
selfish imperial dominion of one people
over another, but of the imperial moral
and physical growth and expansion u all
the peoples whatever their race or lam
tor of the broad shield of the Unt-ed
States of America.
"By authorizing the presentation of
this sword to you as the mark OF her
approval your country has recognized
therefore, not only the great rich fruits
which. even before returning from your
victory, you have poured into nor lap,
hut also her own responsibility to lis
Al. II fI.h hIXC
put upon her and fulfill the destiny OF
her own growth and or the empire
thaf is now her charge. It is new
demand upon all the resources of her
conscience, wisdom and courage. 1t Is
a work in the speedy and benehcient
contamination of which she is entitled
to the cordial help, and sympathy of all
her citiZens-not the faint hearted
doubts and teasing cavils of any of
them. 1t is a work on which she has
entered in the interest OF early peace
in these new lands; their stable govern
ment, the establishment in them Of law
and order, the security of life ana
property and the American standards
of prosperity and home. Let those who
fear remember that though her chii-
dren, guided by you, took The wings OF
parts of the sea, even there the hand
of our fathers God shall lead tlrem
and His right hand shall hold them. In
this work, in view of the great part
You have taken in the sudden develop
ment of her sovereignty, your full
knowledge of the situation, and the
just hold You have on the hearts of all
her people, she looks for your continued
II
the high hope and purpose that the
triumph of her peace Shall be even
greater than her triumph in war
NOW following the authorization OF
Congress, | present this sword Of honor
which | hold in my hand-my hand.
rather let it go to you through the
hand of one who in his youth also periled
his life and fought for his country III
battle, and who today is the commander
in-chief of all our armies and navies, the
President of the United States"
As Secretary Long passed the sword
and faced the Admiral. Dewey was
visibly affected and brushed his gIoyea
hands across his eyes before standing
at attention.
The President said:
admiral Dewey: From your entrance
in the harbor of New York with your
gallant crew and valiant ship the dem9n-
STATIONS which everywhere have greet
cd you, reveal the public esteem of your
heroic actions and the fnllness of the
love in which you are held by your
country.
1.-THE voice of the Nation is lifted in
praise and gratitude for the distinguish
ed and memorable services you have