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Show boomed a reverent obeisance to tho feline, on pon sheas Uotsel "(1 every h vantage, peopl close, were jammed. gt to their guard rails o and jolly- - Heroes as the Ships in Keviow. Xew York, Aug. 22,-Perhaps the neatest public gathering ever wit nessed here was the grand reception Sred the returning North Atlantic squadron. Hundreds of thousands of people lined the banks of the Hudson and thousands on all styles of rive craft, blended their shouts in a .royal welcome. For almost three solid hows steam whistles of all sizes, steam sirens and small guns along the shores shrieked and boomed from the effort to display the heartiest enthusiasm for the home coining of the naval heroes, with their battle-scared ships. Early in the morning the seven big ships, the New York, Iowa, Indiana, Brooklyn, Massachusetts, Oregon and Texas, lay in New York bay, just off Tompkinsville, S. I. There was no idea with Admiral Sampson that New York City was prepared for a rousing reception, recep-tion, but the news was brought shortly by a tug from the navy yard, and all the ships of the squadron were immediately immedi-ately put under preparations for dress review. Mayor Van Wyck and a committee of twenty-one went to the flagship New York and delivered an address to Admiral Ad-miral Sampson, congratulating the squadron under his command, as follows: fol-lows: "Honored Sir, Admiral Commanding the Victorious North Atlantic Squadron of the American Navy, Returning from the Never-to-be-forgotten Triumph at Santiago In behalf of the people of the city of New York, it is a high privilege, as their chief magistrate, to present to yon, and, through you, to every officer, marine, sailor and landsman lands-man under your command, the warmest welcome home. "It is not in words to express the emotion out of which this greeting springs, as the achievements of the American navy have been crowned with, victorious consequences unsurpassed in the annals of warfare, ancient or modern. mod-ern. The tongue necessarily falters in attempting to express the feeling of combined gratitude, pride and'patriotic fervor with which every American heart is filled in contemplating them. There was not in the world four months ago a navy with a more splendid record than that of the United States. Today we speak within the bounds of reason in declaring that what might have seemed impossible has been accomplished. ac-complished. The record has been made still more glorious. Never while history " continues to instruct men and the memory of American deeds remain to impress free men or make tyranny tremble, can the battle which saw the Spanish fleet annihilated annihilat-ed on the coast of Santiago be forgot-ton. forgot-ton. "In the contemplation of that victory vic-tory the skill, the courage and the magnanimity of the victors, together with the far-reaching effects upon the future oE the civilized world, that engagement en-gagement stands without a parallel in the history of men. "However, I am not here to describe, or attempt to describe, even in review, the deed of valor that made heroes of the brave officers and men of the navy at Santiago. My simpler and highly-prized highly-prized duty is to extend to you, the officers, marines, sailors and men of the North Atlantic squadron, the congratulations con-gratulations and hearty welcome of the people of the Greater New York and the freedom of the city." Admiral Sampson then replied: "Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen Permit me to thank you on behalf of the officers and men of the navy, who, through their efforts have won your congratulations. I am sure that were they here standing with me and could hear you talk they would appreciate appreci-ate it as I do. We have dono our duty only, and we are. consequently deeply grateful to you for expressing the thanks and congratulations of the people of the city, which you have done in such glowing terms, for what little we have accomplished. I thank you, exceedingly." The mayor then said: "I welcome you, admiral, in the name of Greater New York." The ships then formed in line and proceeded up the Hudson as f-lr .,s Grant's tomb, which was the turning point in the parade. b It was an imposing spectacle as the big battleships boomed a salute to nation, as the war ships saluted the final resting place of General Grant and the guns that sounded the C j of Admiral Cerveras ships at santi.-w ' |