The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-05

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Like everything connected with Ad-
miral Dewey's record. he was early In
arriving at the Capitol. being half al
hour ahead Of time Two Committee
men preceded the President and Ad
miral Dewey. The waiting crowd I'M.
covered, and the President and Admiral
Dewey promptly did the same AZ they
passed rapidly into the lobby OF the
Senate. The Admiral was followed by
the captains OF the warships which
took part in the Manila bay fight The
Cabinet acted as escort The President
aud Cabinet were shown into the Presi.
dents room, while Admiral Dewey,
with his captains. occupied the room If
the Vice President until he was ready
to go to the stand
EXERCISES AT THE CAPITOL.
After prayer by Rev. DIR Frank Bris.
| toll, the Presidents pastor. Mr. Ross
Perry made the introductory address.
who, in closing, introduced Secretary
Long, who, after reading some extracts
| from the official correspondence between
the Navy Department and Admiral
Dewey, and the Act Of Congress au-
thorizing the purchase and presentation
was by this solemn enactment, approved
by the President. that the people OF the
United States made provision for put
ting in material form one expression Of
their appreciation Of your valor as an
officer Of the navy, and Of your great
achievement Al their representative in
opening the door to new era in the
civilization Of the world The victory
at Manila bay gave you rank with the
most distinguished naval heroes Of oil
times Nor was your merit most in the
brilliant victory which you achieved
in 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 Manila harbor. No captain ever
faced a more crucial test than when
that morning you moved upon the
| enemy's batteries and, before the sun
was half way up the heavens, silenced
the guns Of the foe. sunk the hostile
feet, demonstrated the supremacy Of
the American sea-power, and trans
| ferred to the United States an empire
Of the islands Of the Pacific. Now fol-
lowing the authorization Of Congress, /
present this sword Of honor which |
hold In my hand my hand rather let
1t 90 to you through the hand Of one
who in his youth also psriled his life
and fought for his country in battle,
and who today is the commander-in-
chief Of all our armies and navies, the
President Of the United States The
Secretary Of the Navy handed the sword
TO President Mckinley who arose and
said Admiral Dewey. from the time
OF your entrance into New York harbor
with your gallant crew and valiant ship
the hopes Of the United States with one
voice have welcomed you with love and
gratitude. am proud to add my voice
TO the others There was no flaw IN
your victory at Manila There will be
no fsltering in maintaining it y When
the President spoke these words there
was loud applause The President then
handed the sword TO the Admiral in
the name Of the people Of the United
States " The Admiral took the sword
and replied II thank you, Mr.. Presi-
dent / thank the Secretary Of the Navy,
l thank the Congress that voted me
this priceless gift aud thank the peo-
ple OF the United States whose gift II
ia. | promise that 1t shall remain in
my family forever and shall serve as an
object lesson to teach my children
children that republics are not migrate
full" At the close Of the Admiral
reply the crowd oheered him loudly
When Admiral Schley left his seat and
walked up the steps to the high stsnt
which few moments before had beer
vacated by President Mckinley and
Admiral Dewey to enter their carriage
the multitude got sight Of him, and the
cheering that followed made the all
ring "Hurrah for Schley !" mar
with a stenorian voice screamed. "Hur
rah for the hero Of Santiago" another
yelled.
GUEST OF THE PRESIDENT.
President Mckinley in honor Of Ad