The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-18
Changes 10Th Natal
Anniversary to Suit the
President.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-Admiral
George Dewey is celebrating his
seventeen birthday anniversary today.
Tho admiral will reach three score and
ten on December 26, but eoaus it
will be impossible for him to celebrate
the event then, as he and Mrs. Dewey
wish to, they advanced the celebration
a week.
The reason for all this is to accom-
modate President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
The Deweys wanted tha Roosevelts to
attend, and the Roosevelts were Just
as anxious to be present, but when the
President set out to accept the date
he found it next to impossible. The
birthday" was Immediately changed to
suit the nations chiefs diary, and to-
day was selected as the celebration.
Accordingly the R~oosevelts will be the
guests of the Deweys at the big birth
day dinner party of the admiral at the
latter's handsome home, 1901 X street,
tonight.
Admiral Dewey is proud of the fact
that he is 70 years old, for few men
have reached his age retaining their
good looks, the vigor of mental and
physical youth, and, last, but not
least, the natural optimism of a school
boy.
Yes, sah," remarked one of the col
ored messengers employed in the Mills
building, where the admiral's offices
are, as he discussed the approaching
birthday celebration with his coll
leagues, "the admiral is sartinly the
youngest mar round the buildin'. He's
sho mo- younger-actin' than mos of
the real young ones about heah. The
way he says good-mornin' or howdy,
with a smile, yo' sho wouldn't think
he was tellin' the truth about his age.
But L 'spicion If he says so it mus
be true, for the admiral's like George
Washington in that respect. He's nevah
known to tell a lie. l 'spects that's one
of the reasons he looks so young
cause his conscience don't pain him.
Admiral Dewey is the only living
naval officer serving his country whc
will remain on the active list until n.
wishes to apply for retirement and thu:
be able to point with pride to an un-
usually long and uninterrupted service
He began his remarkable career early
and could he live his life over again
he says, he would not change tn,
course it has taken.
After a course at the Norwich Mill.
ltary Academy, experimenting the valu.
able personal instruction of his father
who was one of the best known physi-
clans of his day, Little George
Dewey" as he was called by his towns
people, entered the Naval Academy a
the age of 16. Immediately upon leav'
ing the academy, four years later, il
1858, he was ordered to active servic,
and, lacking only a few months space
of time, he may celebrate on his birth
day ffty-three years in the navy.
Admiral Dewey says that the mos
interesting training he received aftel
leaving school was under Admiral Far
ragut, from 1861 to 1868. in the Missis
sippi River squadron.
Few public men so honored as Dewe,
has been have more deeply felt the ap
probation of the country's esteem, II,
says that the memory of the magnifi
cent reception which he received upor
arrival home from Manila Bay is on
of the things that have helped to keel
him young.
The qualities of manly characte
underlying the fighting qualities of tn,
officer have made the hero of Manila
Bay a perpetual hero to h American
people. This is daily shown by the
scores of inquiries made by tourists ant
visitors to Washington who are anxiou.
to meet or catch a glimpse of TIL
admiral.
considering the great fortunes of to-
day, 1 am a poor man." said Admira
Dewey today. "But l %cheerfully con
fess hat money is not everything il