The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-10-11
DeWey's Supreme Honor.
a Jewe,led Sword From The
Eands of The President.

Washington, Oct 3-The culmlu
alton OF Admiral Dewey's triumphal
home coming was reached today in
the shadow of the dome of the Ma
tional Capitol Here be received
from the hands OF President the
magnificent jewelled sword voted
him by Congress in commemoration
of the victory of Manila Bay. This
was the official provocaticn for the
ceremony. But mere official sane
ton could not have thrown into
the demonstration the fervor of en-
thusiasm that was mete6 out to the
great admiral as be appeared before
the vast audience that was composed
not only of all the highest officials
in the land, hut of spectors from
every quarter of the United States.
The battle of Manila Bay was not
forgotten. 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, aud
who had shown in the long and try
ing months that followed his triumph
the qualities Of a statesmen and
wise administrator, as well as those
of the flag ship leader Of victorious
feet. Enhancing these qualities
was that of manly modesty, dis
played in the quiet dignity with
which be met the occasion. The
trait of Dewey's character was de.
monstrated from the moment he
reached the stand sideby side with the
President He paused at this point
for moment unwilling apparently
to take the place that had been pre-
pared for him on the right of the
platform, lest he should appear to
usurp the place due to the President.
President Mckinley grasped the
situation 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 carriages
bearing the official party drove away
from the Capitol between walls of
cheering people, tie President again
displayed his tact by remaining
covered and ignoring the demonstra.
ton himself, leaving it's acknowledge
ment to the admiral alone
q TRIAL AS WE'LL AS A TRI.
UMPH.
For Dewey it was a trying as we'll
as triumphal day l: has been
given to few officers in the naval MIS-
tory of the country to sit before a
crowd of thousands, while the chief
of the naval establishment dilated
upon their exploits, and then to stand
before the same crowd to receive at
the hands Of the president sword
prepared for him at the bebest of the
representatives of the whole people
The strain upon Admiral Dewey
reached almost to the breaking point
None but those nearest 70 him could
see how be iabored to repress his
feelings during the address Of Secre-
tary Long, but when ne arose to
receive the sword from the hands Of
the president no one could mistake
the fash of the white.gloved hand as
it rose to dash away the tears before
the admiral came to the rigid attitude
of attention before his chief
DEWEY'S VOICE FAILED HIM.
When it became Dewey's turn to
reply his voice failed him and be
made the effort twice before his lips
would respond. When he did sue
ceed his tones were clear and steady,
but so low that only those nearest
him could hear
There was a quiet but exquisite
bit of comedy following the trying
formalities that escaped ali but those
directly on the stand. AS the adml
raj closed and took his seat be turned
to the president and in a tone of
quizzical appeal inquired !: Now,
really, don't you think | did pretty
we'll for an amateur ?''
Secretary Long embraced an op
portunity to ease the trying situation
for the chief actor during the cere-
monies When the secretary began
his address the sun was shining
directly in Admiral Dewey'e eyes
and without his hat he was a: lis
mercy. The secretary quietly in
serted in his address a low aside,
Admiral, turn your chair little, we
don't want to have you blind y
SCHLEY THE NEXT IN HONOR
One OF the mcst remarkable fea.
lures of the eventful day was the
ovation to Rear Admiral Schley on
the return of the party from the
Cap;tol m Tho White Horso R;s