New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-25
[Oommunicated.1
SECK KETARY OF THE NAVY.


sECK ETARY OF THE NAvY.
The mighty host of the people, who, from
the sinister alarums of Sumter to the crown
ing of victory at Appomattox, toiled and
suffered and prayed to save the Union of
their fathers, still turn with increasing in
terest to the capitol. For nearer and nearer
comes their emancipation from the baleful
presence of Andrew johnson, and closer the
hour of the Inauguration of General Grant
approaches. Then the President elect will
summon around him in cabinet the men
whom for eminent fitness he shall have
chosen to support him in council and
strengthen him in action. The people know
not who these may be, but their voices
through the press will in the meantime in
dicate their opinions. ..
That the characteristic good sense and
Judgment of President Grant will be mani
tested in his selection, there is no doubt.
Washburne has already been commended
for the Treasury Bureau. As the Navy De-
partment is called in its turn what name is
instantly shouted from the two great oceans
that surround us, but is truly thundered
from the waters Of the gulf? What hero of
the whole country, indeed, but most cher
ished and dear to the loyal South appears in
the front? What veteran patriot of the sea
do the sternly tried loyalists of the Crescent
City, who, wearied with long expectation in
hope and fear, and who, at last, with eyes
full of happy tears, again saw the glittering
flag Of the "lree hearts only home" majes-
4 L. IolS
on the memorable day of April, 1862,
apostrophize? Only one hero and one
name-Farragut, the ever true; Far
ragut, the dauntless; Farragut, the
victorious! Let the great Admiral ad-
vance to the post of honor. Thus will the
hearts of all turn spontaneously and unan-
imously to that unconquerable viking, who
has elevated our naval reputation to the
! highest pinnacle of glory and written in
letters of immortal lnstre mariS imperdtor
| iHUictuS upon tue esCutcheon of the Ameri-
can navy. David Glasgow Farragut was
WAS born in Tennessee in eighteen hundred
and three. He was the son of an army otli-
Ger who was much valued by General
Jackson. When but nine years old he
entered the navy as mdshipmau under
| the honored Commodore Porter, the father
OF the present gallant Vice.Admiral-a
worthy son of such father. He was al
ways reflective and studious, and, with the
! other stores OF knowledge he gained, became,
/ during his many visits to foreign lands,
| quite linguist, speaking with ease the
French, Spanish, Italian and Arabic tongues.
Although Southern boru. aud in the midst of
rebel sympathizers, in his home at Norfolk,
Virginia, he with a sailors frankness and de-
cision opposed the secession acts, and faith
full among the .faithless, was consequently
compelled to leave the State.
He left his home, on the morning of April
Is, 1861, .aktng his wife and children with
him. Reaching New York with difficulty
he found safe retreat for his family on the
banks of the Hudson, and then offered him
self as a defender of that banner under
which he lad proudly sailed for more than
half century. We have not time to relate
in detail all his heroic deeds. Are they not
written forever in the chronicles of the
country?
The capture of New Orleans was an
achievement unparalleled in the annals OF
| naval WdTlETt. luc pdSSa8e OF Lu6 IOrLS,
made in the dim gray of the morning, while
dark cloud-masses obscnred the heavens,
was most stupendous undertaking.
The undaunted squadron, exposed not
only to a murderous fire on either side but
Obliged to encounter terrible opposition in
advance, of fire ships and submarine vol
/ canoes, seemed doomed to inevitable des-
truction. An eye witness described the scene
of this terrible ordeal as more than realz
ing his conception of the Internal regions.
Yet, with almost superhuman efforts, the
victory was gained, and for it Farragut was
forever exalted in the remembrance of his
countrymen. The passage of the rebel for.
Iifeations at Port Hudson was also fiery
trial. At this point the river curves and
the banks approach in such close proximity
TO each other, that the ships iu passing,
fought literally muzzle to muzzle with the
enmys shore batteries placed close to the
waters edge. Yet, fearlessly the flag ship
Hartford, with the brave men on board,
and the Abatross exposed to terrific
enflading fire, swept by the huge guns,
and thus their unwayering courage gained
the important object of their enterprise.
1t was in this awful conflict that the fa
nous war'ship mississippi" itly called
after the majestic river, on whose broad
bosom she sailed as if to show her undying
hostility to the enemies of the standard wav,
ing above her with sublime dignity, defiant
ly saluted her flag to the foe with the solemn
thunder of her guns as she sank for.
ever beneath the dark and turbid waters.
Listen to the thrilling story Of the crown,
ing victory at Mobile:
Past the sentinel forts
Dashed boldly the ships;
Guns belching forth fire
From their red-hot lips
The crews sworn together
To stand to the last -.
BY the brave Admiral
Lashed TO the mast.
Amid the smoke fluttered
The stripes and the stars;
Above the din was heard
The shouts of the tars
None cared for the danger,
And none stood aghRst--
WasnOt the brave Admiral
Lashed to the mast?
The loud roar of the guns,
The shrek of the shells!
The air filled with smoke,
And sulphnrous smellsl
A hail of hot iron
| -. 4. g.