William McKinley actually said...

Feeling as our people feel, and speaking in their name, I at once sent a message to Commodore Dewey thanking him and his officers and men fo...

The magnitude of this victory can hardly be measured by the ordinary standard of naval warfare.

I now recommend that, following our national precedents and expressing the fervent gratitude of every patriotic heart, the thanks of Congres...

by virtue of the power vested in me by the Constitution and the laws, and deeming sufficient occasion to exist, have thought fit to call for...