Looking forward : $b a dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999Bird, Arthur
Science
Looking forward : $b a dream of the United States of the Americas in 1999
Bird, Arthur
Twentieth century -- Forecasts; United States -- Civilization
On the 1st day of May, 1998 the Centennial anniversary of the battle of
Manila was celebrated with a volcanic display of intense enthusiasm
throughout the United States of the Americas. It was "Dewey Day"
from the State of Alaska clear south to the State [Equal to the 4th
of July.] of Patagonia. The seals in Baffin's bay wore an extra
smile, while the albatross and other gulls at the Horn circled about
and fluttered as though something uncommon was on.
Every city in the vast Republic was in gala attire to honor the
glorious memories of the day. In Washington, (Mexico,) and at the
capitals of each of the eighty-five States of the Americas the Manila
Centennial was signalized with a patriotic enthusiasm seldom equaled
but never eclipsed.
The celebration of the Centennial anniversary of Waterloo by the old
allied nations of Europe in 1915 proved a very brilliant affair, one
which dazzled the world by its magnificence and regal splendor. But
the Manila Centennial in 1998 relegated the Waterloo episode entirely
in the shade. The only American national celebration of the twentieth
century that might compare with it was the Bi-Centennial celebration
of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th day of July, 1976.
The Manila Centennial in 1998 celebrated what was universally regarded
as the pivotal [Turning Point of American History.] or turning point
in American History. From the date of that battle in 1898 the supremacy
of the United States became established as a first-grade power. Its
prowess in war and triumphs in the arts of peace were universally
recognized. Little then is it to be wondered at that the American
Colossus in 1998 seethed with patriotic fervor on the 1st day of May
of the Manila Centennial anniversary.
The preparations for the great event had been under way for nearly
a year. It was clearly remembered in 1998 that, although Bunker
Hill was an insignificant fight from a military point of view, yet
it was a glorious battle for America from the fact that it proved a
turning point in our nation's history. So it proved with the battle of
Manila. It was a turning point in our national history that demanded
a fitting celebration of its centennial anniversary.
In 1998 the President of the United States of the Americas was Vernon
R. [A Chip of the Old Block.] Schley, a grandson of the famous
Admiral who annihilated Cervera's fleet on the 3rd day of July, 1898,
while the commander-in-chief was inconveniently away on some other
errand. Upon President Schley devolved the high honor, but irksome
and difficult task, of firing at sunrise a salute of ærial torpedoes
in the capitals of every State in the vast American Republic, and,
at the same moment, from his private office in the Capitol building
in Washington, Mexico, the President unfurled the American flag on
the dome of every State house in the Americas.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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