The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-04

siasm, and, standing bareheaded adj
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 CORE
spondence covering less than a fort
nights time and now known the world
over:
Washington. April "a, 1s9s.-Dewey,
Hong Kong: War has commenced be-
tween the United States and Spain
Proceed at once to the Philippine isl
ands. Begin operations at once. par
ticularly against the Spanish fleet. You
must capture vessels or destroy. Use
utmost endeavors. LONG,
Manila. May 1, 1s9s.-Secretary of
Navy, Washington: The squadron ar
rived at Manila at daybreak this morn
ing. Immediately engaged enemy and
destroyed the following vessels:
The squadron Is uninjured. Few men
were slightly injured. DEWEY.
May 4.-Secretary of the Navy,
Washington: I have taken position off
the naval station Philippine islands. 7
control bay completely and can take
city at any time. The squadron is in
excellent health and spirits. I am as
sisting and protecting sick and wound
ed DEWEY
washington, May II, 1s9s.-Dewey,
Manila: The president in the name of
the American people thanks you and
your officers and men for your splendid
achievements and overwhelming vic
tory. In recognition he has appointed
you acting rear admiral and will rec
ommend vote of thanks to you by
congress as foundation for further
promotion LONG.
I'm these few words what a volume
of history what record of swift, high,
heroic discharge of duty. You went,
you saw, you conquered. 1t seems but
yesterday that the republic, full of anx
iety, strained it's listening ear to catch
the first word from those distant ISL
ands of the sea. 1t came flashing over
the wires that May morning as the sun
burst through the clouds and filled
every heart with the illumination
of it's good cheer. In the twinkling of
an eye your name was on every up,
the blessing of every American was on
your head and your country strobe in
stantly forward a mghtier power
among the nations of the world. AS
we welcome YOU back there comes back
also the vivid picture of the time with
all it's hopes and fears. with all its
swift succeeding triumph and glory.
Let me now read the act Of congress in
pursuance of which we are here:
Resolved. by the senate and house
of representatives of the United States
of America, in congress assembled:
that the secretary of the navy be, and
he is hereby authorized to present
sword of honor to Commodore George
Dewey and to cause to be struck bronze
medals concentrating the battle 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 !. lS9S,
and that, to enable the secretary to
$4,000, or so much thereof as may be
necessary, is hereby appropriated. Ap-
proved June g. 1885,
SIT was by this solemn enactment
approved by the president. that the
people of the United States made pro-
vision for putting into material torn
one expression of their appreciation OF
your valor as an officer of this navy
and of your great achievement as their
representative in opening the door to a
new era in the civilization of the world
This 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 IN
a battle fought with the utmost gal
lantry and skill waged without error
and crowned with overwhelming sue
cess. 1t was still more in the nerve
with which you sailed from Hong Kong
to Mania naFnOT. III lIe ny VI So"i
conception of attack, in your high com
handing confidence as a leader who
had weighed every risk and prepared
for every emergency, and who also had
that unfalterng determination to win
and that utter freedom from the
thought or possibility of swerving from
his purposes which are the very assur-
ances 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 and annlhila-
ton but the thin sheathing of your
ships, your cannon and your devoted
officers and men, you moved upon the
enemys batteries on shore and on sea
with unf1inching faith and nerve, ana
before the sun was half way up IN me
heavens had silenced the guns of the
foe sunk the hostile fleet, demonstrat-
ing 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 your administration. by your
poise and prudence and by your dis
erection, not only in act but also in
word which is almost more important
you proved yourself great representa-
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 constellation 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 20
come, it may be your still greater honor
that you struck the first blow, under
the providence of God, in the enfran-
chisement 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 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 enlight-
ened and happy nations of the world,
so that generations hence your name
shall be to them a household word, en-
shrned in their history and in their
10, ,lx 1ir,-