The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1899-10-13
illumination of the Admiral's Home-Com.
ing is Reached.
PEACE ALSO HATH HER VICTORIES.
Hero of Manila Receives From the
Hand of the President Sword Voted
Him by Congress He Sits Before
latos Upon His ExpIoits-Big Day In
tho Capital.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 4.-The culmi-
nation Of Admiral Dewey's triumphaI
homecoming was reached today in the
shadow of the dome of the national
capitol. Here he received from the
hands of the president the magnificent
jeweled sword voted him by congress
in commemoration of the victory Of
Manila bay. This was the official rea-
son for the ceremony. But mere Off
cial sanction could never have thrown
into the demonstration the ferVor of
enthusiasm that was melted out to the
admiral as he appeared before the
vast audience, composed not only of
all the highest officials in the land,
but of spectators drawn 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
man who had proved himself as great
after victory as before it and who had
shown in the long and trying months
that followed his naval triumph the
q " a Ill " nv
administrator as well as a fighting
leader of the victorious fleet. And en-
HANGING these qualities was that of
manly modesty, displayed in the quiet
dignity with which he met the occa-
sion.
This trait of Dewey's character was
evidenced from the moment he reach
ed the stand side by side with the
nrncidanf IIo norCal OF fhic nnint
for a 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 chief mag
istrate. President Mckinley grasped
the situation in an instant and TAX
ing his great sea captain by the arm
placed him by gentle force in that
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, the president again
displayed his tact by remaining COW
cred and ignoring the demonstration
himself, leaving the acknowledgment
to the admiral alone.
FOR Dewey it was a trying as well
DIS d jllul1pUdl udy. IL nc DCCh 5lNCD
to few officers in the naval history of
the country to sit before a crowd of
thousands while the chief of the naval
establishment dilated upon their eX-
PLOTS and then to stand before the
same crowd to receive at b hands
of the president a sword prepared for
him at the behest of the representa-
tives of the whole people. The strain
UNION hJy,iro1 nanrou roonhnH almost
to the breaking point. None but those
nearest to him could see how he labor
ed to repress his feelings during the
address of Secretary Long, but when
he arose to receive the sword from
hands of the president no n could
mistake the flash of the white gloved
hand as 1t rose to dash away the tears
before the admiral came to the rigid
attitude of afternoon before his chief.
When it became Dewey's turn to re-
ply his voice failed him and he made
the effort twice before his lips would
respond. When he did succeed his
tones were clear and steady, but SO
low that only those nearest him could
hear.
There was an exquisite bit of COM
edy following the trying formalities,
though it escaped all but those di-
rectly on the stand. AS the admiral
closed and took his seat he turned to
the president and in a tone of quiz
zical appeal inquired:
Now, really, don't you think l did
pretty we'll for an amateur"
Once during the ceremonies Secre-
tary Long embraced an opportunity
to cease the trying situation for the
chief actor in the days events. When
the secretary began his address the
sun was shining directly in Admiral
Dewey's eyes and, without his hat,
he was at it's mercy. The secretary
quietly inserted in his address a low
aside: Admiral, turn YOU chair a
little, we don't want to have you
blind.|