The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-01
MARYLANDS SCHLEY.
Ills Native State Honors the Hero
Of Santiago. 4,Ae,
THE STATES BEAUTIFUL MEDAL.


ful of the Glory of Her Sons.
Baltimore, March 1.-Rear Admiral
Winfield Scott Schley received yester-
day from the people of this, his native
state, superb testimonial of the esteem
in which he is held by the people Of
Maryland and of their appreciation of
his services to the country during the
late war with Spain. incidentally he
was cheercd by assembled thousands as
he rode through the streets of Baltimore,
and at night 400 of the representative
men of the city and state gathered to-
gethcr to witness the presentation of The
testimonial and to join in banquet
given in his honor. The testimonial
proper took the form of magnificent
medal of gold and diamonds Of great
intrinsic worth and respondent beauty,
the gift of Maryland, presented, in the
name of the state, by Governor Lowndcs.
Admiral Schley, accompanied by Mrs.
Schley and General Miles, and escorted
by reception committee, arrived from
Washington at 3 p. m. and drove in an
open carriage from Camden station to
the Rennert hotel. The streets through
which the carriage passed were lined
with people, and cheer after cheer was
given to both the hero of Santiago and
the general of the army. Upon their ar
rival at the Rennert an informal rcccp-
ton was held, and at 1.3O p. m. the
presentation ceremonies began.
After the 400 guests filed into the big
ha hall aud tnpk fbnir tInrns thnV
remained standing. Governor Lowndes,
who presided, made brief but elo-
qucnt speech upon Maryland's part in
the late war, which was received with
great enthusiasm. He then introduced
General Felix Agnus, as chairman Of
the testimonial committee, who paid an
eloquent t:ibute to Admiral Schlcy, con-
cllnlng as follows:
"Not once. but many times. you have
riskol your life for others. Brave as Il
lion in danger-gcntle as woman in
mercy. More caution and less daring
on the part of Commodore Schley woull
have been fatal to us, wrote Lieutenant
Grcely. whom you rescued.
80 hesitate at Valparaiso would have
lost American lives, and slow action at
Santiago would have compromised your
most marvellous victory. True to every
trust, you make every one proud that he
is an American.
"The medal we present to you tells
its own eloquent story. 1t is from the
state of Marylanl-your state-our
state, and it tells in your own noble
words that there is glory enough for all
even for those who did not fight, but
love You all the more that you fought
for them and their flag"
AT the conclusion General Agnus call
ed upon Governor Lowndes to place
about the neck of Admiral Schley the
medal of honor, which the governor did
amid a perfect storm of applause. which
was renewed again and again, while the
admiral stood and bowed his thanks.
The medal is beautiful beyond de-
s,ription. The Maryland coat of arms is
mad" of gold bars in basrelief and on
amcl, surrounded by circle of fine
diamonds, around which is an oak
wreath ntertwined with diamonds,
held by ribbon of blue enamel, the edge
Of which is set with diamonds and on
which is the inscription: Maryland
honors her son, Winfield Scott Schlcy.'
Entwined in the ribbon are an anchor
of diamonds and two swords, the hilts
and guards of which are studded with
diamonds. At the top is the coat of
arms Of the United States, through
which is navy blue ribbon with two
stars, indicating the rank of rear ad-
miral. On the reverse is a very fine out
line of the cruiser Brooklyn in bas relief.
there are 800 diamonds in the
medal Two months were required for
its making.
When the applause had subsidized Ad-
miral Schlcy replied as follows:
Il feel that any words might employ
would fail to convey to you the sense of
high appreciation which moves me at
this moment This is the second time
in my experience of AZ years in the SER
vice of my country that my state has
the first having been after my return
from the Arctic regions in the fall of
1884. when the Lady Franklin bay ex-
petition was rescued by the expedition
| had the honor to command. On that
occasion it took the form of vote Of
thanks of the legislature Of Maryland,
and the gift of a gold chronometer watch
Of rare beauty and value. The priceless
on this occasion for my part
in the battle of July 3 off Santiago comes
to me bearing the love Of the people Of
this glorious and grand old state OF
MARYLAND. so rich in historic attachment
and connection with the empire Of lib
crty. 1t brings to Inc so much that VIII
always last TO remind me of an event in
my life and service that will live in the
history OF our state and country.
"lhe Victoria Cross of England and
he Iron Cross of Germany are more
sought by the officers and men of the
service of those countries than any
other distinction. They are conferred by
the sovcreiens on all whose martial deeds
enhance the nations grandeur and they
are found alike on the breast of the
general and of the worthy private; on the
breast Of the admiral and of the hum
[lcst sailor, for deeds that are conspicu-
Gus in the nations service.
"This medal means all that these mean,
and in addition 1t bears the love of the
people in whose name it is given, and
this adds a value that enhances any re-
ward that could come for services in
their interest.
81 thank your exccllcncy and my dear
friends of my dear old Maryland for
his great distinction conferred tonight
in their name. shall keep 1t always
with infinite pleasure and pride"
At the banquet which followed the
Cardinal Gibbons asked the
blessing and speeches were delivered by
General Miles, Mayor Malstcr, Hon. j.
V. L. Fndlay, cx-United States Senator
Pinckncy White, Hon. John X.
Cowan and others.
Lived a Hundred and Two Years.
Canajoiarie, n. Y, March Maria