THE SAILING OF THE FLEET. Two fleets have sailed from Spain. The one would seck It found a world for Leon and Castile. Another, mighty, arrogant, and vain, Sought to subdue a people who were free. Ask of the storm-gods where its galleons be,- A third is threatened. On the westward track, - The New York Tribune. Capture or destroy the Spanish fleet at Manila." Such was the purport of President McKinley's order to Commodore George Dewey, commanding the American squadron in Asiatic waters; and right nobly did he carry out his instructions. Anchored in the harbor of a friendly power, he was informed that by the laws of neutrality he must put to sea. Six thousand miles from home, with no base of supplies, there were but two things for the intrepid commander to do: He must seek in flight the safety of our own shores, or he must fight against overwhelming odds. He did not hesitate; but chose the latter alternative as if there were no other. How the haughty Spaniards sneered at his pretensions! Why should they, with a fleet superior in numbers, protected by the great guns of their forts, fear the "Yankee pigs "?-the commercials who could not fight? They were soon to learn another lesson. On the evening of April 30, the order to advance to action was given. And, under cover of the darkness, our majestic ships, with lights extin guished, crept slowly, like tigers of the jungle, through the mine-pro tected channel, past the forts up to the very teeth of the Spaniards. When the morning of the first of May broke over the peaceful Oriental sea, it saw the despised American in the very fangs of her proud enemy. What a charming scene! The great ships heaving on the bosom of the placid bay, like graceful swans. The sleeping city, quiet in the distant haze. The gaily plumaged tropical bird calling to its mate in a neighboring palm. The pennants of the forts lazily flapping on their supporting poles. The scene changes, and the heavenly peace of nature gives place to the hell of war! The great guns of our ships belch forth their wrath of fire and steel. The Spanish ships and forts reply. Soon, chaos and destruction reign. Shells shriek through the quivering air. The peaceful sea has become a volcano from seething shot and bursting shell! The startled Spaniards had not expected such an onslaught. Surely this foe can fight! The Spanish flag-ship is on fire! The flag is bravely transferred to another; but that too is soon disabled. Frantically the iron hail is poured from fort and ship; but it glances from our steel sides or falls harmlessly into the sea. Slowly our great ships move on, firing with unerring aim as if at target practice. Three times they move around the deadly curve and the last Spanish ship is burned or sunk; the forts on shore are a mass of ruins. The victory is won, and not an American has been killed, not a ship seriously injured. Does our hero exult? Not he. He sends a message to the Spanish admiral commending his bravery and offering to care for his wounded sailors. Days of suspense follow. There are rumors that Dewey has been victorious, followed by others of a less reassuring nature. Spanish dispatches claim a victory; but singularly omit to mention American losses. Then comes a report that Dewey has been trapped; and the whole nation is anxious; but not a word of censure is heard. Those who know Commander Dewey say, " Do not fear, he is a quiet man; but when he fights, he fights hard." At last authentic news is received; and all the world wonders. Men recall to mind the achievements of Nelson, when he defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain ninety-three years ago. The authorities at Washington promptly make him an admiral and vote him a sword. A new star is added to the already brilliant galaxy of American naval heroes; and to the names of Paul Jones, Decatur, Hull, Lawrence, Perry, and Farragut, is added George Dewey. The civilized world is amazed. Men recall the great feats of the past; but history reveals nothing like this. A whole fleet, supported by shore batteries, destroyed without the loss of a single man on the victorious squadron. The new warships have been tried, and the product of modern thought has triumphed. The nations awake to the fact that a new power has risen with which they must reckon. This young giant has struck his first blow in the very cradle of the race, in the stronghold of despotism and tyranny; and that blow was struck in the name of liberty. Hope revives in the hearts of the down-trodden millions. Liberty is no longer a dream, a sentiment. It has a champion who makes it an assured fact. And with the dawning of the new century come prophetic murmurings, never heard before, that the great race, speaking one tongue, that has carried light to the dark places of the earth, shall be united, and carry law, and liberty, and justice to all the world.-— John D. Wilson. Youngest descendant of a glorious line,— Jones, Perry, Hull, Decatur, heroes bold, Who fought this nation's brave sea-fights of old, Dewey, all hail! With theirs is now enrolled Thy name; with theirs thy story shall be told; Thy daring sally in Manila Bay Has stirred the whole world's pulse, and well begun -Virginia Vaughan. |