The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-26
SAMPSON GIVEN a SWORD
HIS SERVICES IN THE LATE WAR APP
PRECIATED BY NEW JERSEY.
Nearly All the Officers of the Admit
rails Santiago Fleet Present at the
Presentation Ceremonies.

Spanish war. Inc presentation look pace
in the Assembly chamber of the Capitol in
the presence of a distinguished audience OF
naval officers and persons prominent in
the public and social life of the State. The
naval officers present included nearly all
those associated with Admiral Sampson
when the fleet was before Santiago harbor.
Among those present were Rear Admiral
Melville. Captains Chadwick, of the New
York; Taylor, of the Indiana; Philip, Of
the Texas; Clarke, of the Oregon; Sands,
of the Columbia; Bronson, of the Yankee;
Train, of the Prairie; Folger, of the
Kearsarge; Delehanty, of the Pawnee, and
Lieutenant Commander Winslow, the adj
mirars flag lieutenant. The naval officers
occupied seats near the speakers desk.
The formal ceremonies of presenting the
sword began with an address by State Sem
ator Ketcham, chairman Of the joint COM
mittee. Governor VOORHEES,, in making the
formal presenta ton, said that it was his
great privilege to present the sword as the
gift of the people of patriotic State, with
whom Admiral Sampson had for a long
time made his home. 1.-The plan of battle
which destroyed Cervera's fleet" concluded
the Governor, was matured by your quiet
study and consummate skill and was car
ried out by your fleet without single
error"
Admiral Sampson, in accepting the sword,
spoke as follows: 1t is with no little pride
that l arise to thank the people of New
Jersey for this beautiful sword. Whether
this be considered as an expression of the
donors estimate of my services during the
Spanish-American war or an expression of
what they consider their Indebtedness to
whoever the debt may be due, and 1. as a
resident of the State, am chosen to receive
the honor: whatever your generous motive
may be, the honor is great.
The newspapers recently noticed the sale
at auction of the sword of honor given less
than 100 years ago by two of England's lead
ing cities to lord Collingwood, one of Nell
Cured to me as / read Can it be that one
of Englands greatest admirals, one so hon.
ored, is forgotten; that there is no one even
hammer? This incident suggests other
grave thoughts to one inclined to look on
the dark side of things. 1t is true that hon.
are short-ived Life itself is brief; yet,
these facts do not dim the bright view of
the picture, the proTptness with which the
human heart is stirred by generous i'm
pulses, ready on each new occasion to ex-
press appreciation and mete out reward
wherever ii is thought to be due. He,
then. who is the recipient of such honors
must look to it that he is worthy. else the
war and her glories and her triumphs
have been lauded through all ages. No
man prepares himself for battle, no one
facennent OF self and selfish motives In
even the poorest soul is born in that hour
the finest impulses that adorn our human
nature. Far below all else we are thank
full for In the hour Of triumph or defeat
is the sense that for once we have met our
best selves face to face and seen eXempl1-
fled in those of others qualities we most
strive for and most admire.
representative of many who fought we'll at
Santiago. Courage and valor in one man
may be fine, but unless courage and valor
had been multiplied a thousand fold and In
hat dov her mi OIL
have been a different tale to tell.
Il am proud of my confreres, and in their
names. Jointly with my own / accept your
gift. You have honored me because 1 was
the commander, and though to have been
the commander was honor enough your ac-
Acknowledgement of this here and in this man
ner is precious to me. That ] receive ii,
your Excellency, from your hands. the Gov
ernor of my adopted State, adds greatly to
its value. Because i care l am unable to
say how much L care
Admiral Sampson was accompanied here
by Mrs. Sampson The admiral and Mrs.
Sampson were met at the station by Col.
Thompson, of the Governors staff, and Col.
Oliphant. assistant adjutant general of the
State. The party was driven to Col. Oil
served. Shortly after 10 o'clock the admiral
visited the Statehouse, where he was re-
ceived by Governor VOORHEES,: The admiral
left the Statehouse for the State Industrial
School for Girls, where he was presented
with a flag by Miss Helen Parker, grand
daughter of the late Governor Parker Mrs
Sampson was presented with bunch of
American Beauty roses by Miss Elizabeth
Oliphant Admiral Sampson made short
and happy address to the pupils and was
then driven back to the Oliphant residence
to await the set time for the sword pre-
sentation.
All but three of the naval commanders
who were present at Santiago were here
to-day. The three absentees were Admiral
Schley, Admiral Higginson and Captain
Robley Il. Evans. Admiral Higginson was
too sick TO come and Captain Evans missed
the train.
President Mckinley, Secretary of War
Long and Admiral Dewey sent letters OF
regret. President Mckinley, in his letter
to Governor Voorhees, said: 1T seems most
fitting that this testimonial Of honor should
have been arranged by your State, the
home of Admiral Sampson, in recognition
of the valuable and conspicuous services
rendered the country in the war with
SPAIN"
Secretary Long, in his letter, regretted
that public business required his presence
in Washington. He said further: Il beg
to express my hearty appreciation for the
deserved honor which is done Admiral
Sampson. He was intrusted with most on
erous and responsible duties during the
war and is entitled to the highest credit for
the consummate and skillful manner in
which he discharged them"
Dewey in Possession of His Home.
ur Dat