The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-28

Lettsr fIola Anaapolis.



ASSAPoIIs, Feb. 25th, 1874,
An unworthy trick was practiced upon
Mr.. McAleese, Of the Baltimore city del
egation, on Friday last. He sent to the
Clerks desk what purported to be the
petition Of 10000 citizens Of Baltimore
city against local option 1t was after
wards discovered that the names were
those Of $4,000 petitioners to the General
Assembly Of 1876, against the running Of
the ears on Sunday on the city passenger
railways. The heads Of these petitions
had been cut Of, and the names appended
to a petition against local option. One Of
the headings had thin paper pasted over
Ii. bat the printed matter could be read
through it, aud this led to the discovery
Of the trick. Mr.. McAleese at once arose
and asked permission TO Withdraw the pc.
tition, stating that he had been imposed
upon. The trick reacted against the OPP
ponents Of temperance.
On Saturday last, the House not being
in session, employed the time, in compa.
ny with two friends, in visiting the Naval
Academy. The Cadets were at target
practice on board the U. s. Sloop Of Wal
Santee, A guns, practice ship Of the Naval
School. The target was about mile and
half distant, the shot AZ Founders. From
the old battery, now the gymnasium, we
witnessed the course Of the shot The ri.
cochet shot were very interesting, dipping
as many as seven times, before expanding
their force. In one of the departments |
noticed bronze lion, captured on board
the British ship Macedonia, by the U. s
frigate Constitution. This is not the only
trophy of our naval prowess to be seen in
the Naval Academy. At the entrance to
the steam department are two large cannon
planted in the earth like gateposts, on
which are brass plates inscribed as follows
Captured from the British Frigate Con.
tiance, on Lake Champlain, Sept 18th
1914, by Com. McDonough." MELON.
ough, as your readers are doubtless aware
was gallant son Of the Diamond State
He aud Decatur were born within thirty
miles Of each other, the latter at Chester
town. Nd. The Peninsula between tho
Delaware and Cbesapeake bays gave n,
two of the greatest naval heroes Of the
last war with England. Commodore Jones
was also from the Peninsula, think, from
Dover. In the Armory | saw many tro-
phies won by our gallant navy in the war
Of lSI2-ISl4. There were British and
French flags, festooued MI around the in
terror of the building. Among them |
noticed the flag of the u. S. Sloop of War
St. Lawrence Commodore Perry. with
the eyer-memorabIe motto q Don't give nm
the Ship" and along side of il the flaq Of
the Little Belt. captured on Lake Erie
Sept. 10th, 1918. Our successes upou
the Lakes gave to our Navy a prestige
that win ever attach to the dleft arm Of
our national defence, the Army being
considered the "ripht arm or the more
powerful of the two forces As I eared
upon the red cross of 81. George. emblax-
oned upon the numerous flaps DISPLAYED
in this department | could not help think.
ing that American tars were the only ones
who had won such trophies from Oid All.
bion, in modern times. The names of our
naval heroes-Hull. Decatur. McDouough,
Perry, Porter, will ever live in the memo.
ry Of those who cherish a becoming pride
In the achievements of our gallant navy.
The deep interest with which | regarded
these time-worn battle flags, caused the
scenes in which they had acted part, so
graphically described in Coopers Naval
History, to pass in review before me. |
could have fingered for hours in this de.
partment alone. But there we're many
other objects Of interest in the same de-
partment, not the least of which was n
Gatlin Gun that DISCHARGED 400 balls in a
minute. 1t is beautiful arm, as bright
and glitteriDg as polished brass and steel
could make it. 1t is upon the principle
Of the revolver, except that the barrels re-
volye while the ammunition chamber is
stationary. In the same department are
specimens Of every known variety Of FIRE
arm, from the old flint lock, to all the i'm
proyements Of modern times. Also, every
variety of shot and shell, and torpedoes Of
every conceivable pattern, including some
taken from Charleston harbor, made out
Of iron-bound kegs. and tin cans, holding