The record-union., 1899-10-04

motion
I'm those few words, what volume
of history, what a record of swift, high,
heroic discharge of duty; you went, you
saw, you conquered. It seems but yes
terday that the republic, full of anxiety,
strained its listening ear to catch the
first word from those distant islands
OF the sea. 1t came flashing over the
wires that May morning as the sun
burst through the clouds, and filed ev--
cry heart with the Illumination of it's
good cheer. In the tWinkling of an
eye your name was on every lip, the
blessing of every American was on
your head, and your country strode in
stantly forward a mightier power
among the nations of the world. AS
we welcome you back there comes back
also the vivid picture of that time, with
all its hopes and fears, and with all its
swift succeeding triumph and glory.
Let me now read the Act of Con-
gress in pursuance of which we are
here
RESOLVED, by the Senate and House
Oh Representatives of the United States
Oh America, in Congress assembled,
that the Secretary of the Navy be and
ne is hereby authorized to present a
sword of honor to Commodore George
Dewey, and to cause to be struck
bronze medals commemorative the bat
tie of Manila Bay, and to distribute
such medals to the officers and men of
the ships of the Asiatic squadron of the
United States under command of Com
modore George Dewey on May /, 1898
and that, to enable the Secretary to
carry out this resolution, the sum of
SIU,O00, or SO much thereof as may be
necessary, is hereby appropriated.
Approved June 3, 1885,
1t was by this solemn enactment,
approved by the President, that the
people of the United States made pro-
vision for putting in material form one
expression of the appreciation of your
VaIor as an officer of their navy, and
or your great achievement as their rep
fesentative in opening the door to a
new era in the civilization Of the world
The victory at Manila Bay gave you
rank with the most distinguished naval
heroes at all times. Nor was your
merit most in the brilliant victory
which you achieved in a battle fought
with the utmost galIantry and skill
Waged without error, and crowned with
overwhelming success. 1t was still
more in the nerve with which YOU
sailed from Hongkong to Manila har-
oor' IN the spirit of your conception of
attack; in your high commanding con-
ndence as leader who had weighed
every risk and prepared for every
emergency, and who also had that un-
faltering determination 20 win, and
that utter freedom from the thought of
possibility of swerving from his pur-
pose, which are the very assurance of
a victory.
NO Captain ever faced a 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 shut to you; nothing between you
ana annihilation but the thin sheathing
or your ships, your cannon and your
devoted officers and men, you moved
upon the enemy's batteries on shore
and on sea with unflinching faith and
nerve, and before the sun was half
way up in the heavens had silenced the
guns Of the foe, sunk the hostile fleet,
demonstrated the supremacy of the
American sea power, and transferred
TO the United States an empire of the
islands of the Pacific.
Later, by your display of large pow
ers of administration, by your poise
and prudence, and by your great dis
erection, not only in tact, but also in
word, which is almost more important,
you proved yourself a great representa-
tive citizen of the United States, as
well as its great naval hero.
THE luster of the American navy
was gloriously bright before and you
have added to it a new luster It's con-
stellation of stars was glorious before,
and you have added to it another star
of the first magnitude. And yet many
of your grateful countrymen feel that
in the time to come it may be your
still greater honor that you struck the
first blow, under the provloence of God,
in the enfranchisement of those beau
tiful islands which make the great en-
pire Of the sea; in relieving them from
the bondage and oppression of CEN
turies and in putting them on their
way under the protecting shield of
your country's guidance, to take their
industries, the liberties and all the
good things of the most enlightened
and happy nation 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 outcome is
sure as the rising sun. Whatever the
passing tribulations and difficulties of
the present moment, they will in due
time soon and surely give way to the
dawn of a glorious new day-the day
not of any mere selfish imperial do
minion Of one people over another, but
Of the imperial moral and physical
growth and expansion Of all the peo-
pies, whatever the race or language or
color, who have come under the shelter
Of the broad shield of the United States
of America
BY authorizing the presentation of
this sword to you as the mark of its
approval, your country has recognized
therefore not only the great rich fruits
which, even before returning from your
victory, you have poured into her lap,
but also her own responsibility to dis
charge the great trust which is thus
put upon her and fulfill the destiny of
her own growth and of the empire that
is now her charge. 1t is a new de-
mand upon ali the resources of her
conscience, wisdom and courage It IS
a work in the speedy and beneficent
consummation Of which she is entitled
to the cordial help, sympathy and up
lift of all her citizens. not the faint
hearted doubts and teasing cavils of