Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-07-17

In The numbers which will witness
it. in the extent of the patriotic en-
thusiasm which will be MANIFESTED
and in the elaborateness of the prepar-
ations which will be made for 1t, 1t is
likely that the welcome which Will be
extended to Admiral Dewey on MS re-
turn home from Manila will be the
greatest event of it's kind IN all MS
tory.
Since about 500 B. c. the great ma
lions of the world have always re-
warded their homecoming conquerors
with enthusiastic a'dulation. But
this will be the first time in history
that surprising honors will have been
paid to a naval officer. In ancient
Rome the triumph" was the great
goal toward which the warrior aimed.
There was a triumph for the soldier
and a triumph for the sailor, but, oW-
ing to the fact that in those ante
Christian days the great fights were
mostly on land, the triumph OF the
sailor was a comparatively paltry al
fair. The first naval triumph" was
awarded to Caius Dullius. He laid
the foundation of the supremacy OF
Rome on the sea in the first Punlc
war. He was said to have been so
alated by his success that during the
rest of his life when he returned home
at night from dinners he caused flutes
to sound and torches to be borne
before him.
Alexander the greats triumphal en-
try into Babylon after defeating
Darius in the battle of Arbula was one
of the earliest recorded instances
where superlative tribute was paid to
a commander of land forces. Babylon
had been a Persian city, but When
Alexander approached Mazaeus one OF
the Persians kings opened the clty,s
gates for him. Bagophanes, the gov
ernor Of Babylon, ordered the road
along which Alexander Travelled to be
strewn with flowers. Magnificent Sill
yer affairs, with fragrant incense burn
ing on them, were set UP on either
side. Splendid gifts of horses, oxen,
lions and panthers were carried out 10
the victorious soldier. Magi, Jugglers
and Babylonian horsemen in resplend-
ent regalia went to meet him.
Amid such surroundings the great
Alexander entered his chosen capital
Above an arch, under which he passed
was poised a lofty figure OF the God
dess of Peace, with a raised olive
branch in her hand, announcing the
voluntary submission of the Perslans
and admonishing the victor to mercy
Alexander rode in a chariot, and in
the famous frieze in which the sculp-
.0r ThOrvaldsen has immortalized the
scene the great cOnquerOr is represent
ed as looking regretfully backward,
signing that there were not still other
worlds for him to conquer. Alex
ander. intoxicated by success, plunged
at once into a depth of revelry and
7ebauchery which resulted in his sud
len death a few days after he entered
he city.
In 2O7 B. c., the Consul Claudius
Nero was accorded by the Roman
people the supreme hOnors of the cen
.ury in which he lived. He had slain
Hasdrubal, the son of Hamilcar and
he brother of Hannibal, in the battle
If Metaurus. He had also destroyed
he Carthaginian army, and saved
Rome from impending capture and
possible destruction. Nero brought
With him as souvenir of the battle
he head of Hasdrubal. In grewsome
10Y he sent this to Hannibal, while
IN his way to the Ancient City. The
Roman people were delirious with joy.
Every. resource of the city was taxed
TO it's utmost that due honor might
De paid to the great hero.
In order that particular distinction
might be conferred upon Claudius
Nero, the custom was at this time in
augurated in Rome of building homes
for triumphant generals. In these
homes the heroes abided while they
lived, and upon their death their ashes
were placed within the walls, and
decorations, cOlOnnades and sculptured
tablets in the vestibule of the build
'ng transmitted to succeeding genera
lions the glories of the dead.
1t was to Julius Caesar that the
greatest homecoming honors of
ancient times were paid. After he
destroyed the army of Scipio at
Thapsus in At B. c., his return to
Rome was celebrated by four gorge
,us triumphs. There were four days
Vt riOtous festivity, in which Caesar
rave to the Roman people the most
magnificent spectacle they had ever
cen. More than four hundred lions
nd fifty elephants fought in the
rena. Largesses were distributed to
he soldiers, 5000 to each Legionary,
nd captured lands in lavish quaint
les were given out to the more loyal
dherents of the Dictator.
The triumphal procession itself was
characterized by unparalleled mag
if1cence. The streets and squares
the city were festively adorned.
arlands and flowers decorated every
lrine and image, and incense smoked
4 every altar. The temples were