Admiral Dewey arrived at New York on Tuesday nearly two
days before he was expected, and ever since the city has been in a delirium of excitement and delight, though the great functions have not yet taken place. Fortunately, Admiral Dewey is a man of excellent good-sense, and there is not the slightest fear of his having his head turned by "the roaring and the wreaths." A good deal has been said about the folly of the Americans in treating the victory in Manila Bay over a small and weak and badly led fleet as if it were a battle of Trafalgar or of the Nile. No doubt there has been a certain lack of proportion in the rejoicings, as Admiral Dewey would be the very first man to admit, but yet the Americans have not "erred so greatly in the art of perpetuation" as seems at first sight to be the case. If we judge Admiral Dewey by what he is, and not merely by his actual achievements, he is worthy of any honour that the nation can do him. America feels instinctively that be will be equal to any task to which he may be called. They honour the man rather than the victory.
Previous page
