The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-11-28
HOWARD"
The Christening Of the Engine OF Aeu'sl'
ana Hose.
The Speeches.

monies held at the residence of Charles I.
Howard. ESQ.,, onPrytania street, on Wednes-
day evening, on ME occ asion of the boys OF
Louisiana Hose christening their new steamer.
So much interest vas excited by this event we
give below the speeches made:
SPEECH OF 3osEpH P. HoRNoR.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Brothers Of Louisiana
Hose Company, Fellow. Firemen OF the Firemen's
Charitable Association Of New Orleans-We are
assembled here this evening for the purpose Of
devoting and dedi0atlng another piece OF beauti.
full mechanism TO the service of saving the lives
and property Of sur fellow-ctizens. Il is well in
entering upon . ceremony Of this kind to remem-
Der what these few words mean-to remember
how the growth Of the Fire Department of New
Orleans has been develop I'd from time to time
until it has reached the standard upon which it
now rests, having no peer upon this or any other
Continent. Applause
It sB well, sometimes, to cast retrospective
Nlance at the past. Louisiana Hose Company,
the sixth company incorporated in this city, when
New Orleans was but sparsely populated town,
raised by volunteer Efforts to preserve the prop
er:y OF all citizens was then organized as a
company, principally to support the exertions Of
those which had been previously instituted, and
who had machines to work at fires but not suffi-
Gent hose to supply them with in great emer-
gencies Louisiana Hose Company was the frat
to inaugurate that system Of general help to her
brothers OF the Fire Department.
She was the first, and for MANY years the only
company that undertook to carry long lines Of
boss to lead water from inaccessible places to
play upon the devouring element consuming the
property OF our fellOw-citiZens. She bore that
character for many years She had few imita
tors. few Of us remember, perhaps, old Lib
orty Hose Company, built up iii the upper pcr-
tions Of the First District, then almost rural
municipality. She died; she went out OF exist-
enc", but Louisiana Hose stood she continued
to do active service she continued to be a valu-
10
full engines, until time came when, In the
history Of man, another agent besides human
muscle was to come and supplant the power then
in use. Then stepping to the front against not
only the influence of tie outer world, but the
prejudices of her brothers OF the Fire Depart
ment, Louisiana Hose Company came forward
and was the first company here in this city to
adopt steam as the great motive power to over
come fire. (Applause.]
This ia an honor that she may we'll claim !: it is
an honor that will rebound to her praise, because
no matter what the prejudices then were no
matter what faults may have been found with
her for attempting something that was then en-
tirely new in the Fire Department, she has the
glory and honor to-day, standing here before the
world, of seeing her plan, her first step towards
the substitution of steam for muscle, adopted by
every fire company in this department, as it has
been throughout the country. Applause
No nobler vindicatiOn, more just verdict
could be given upon the efforts of those who at
that time brought forward steam into the Fire
Department, than that which all OF you whom
see around me, representatives OF all the fire
companies in this city, have given by consenting
to it, and by using it, as We did before you.
In your ranks. as I gaze around, see the
noble champion Of the firemen Of New Orleans
the man who for many years has stood at your
head, and who g God by us in that grand attempt
that we mace to rcyolutlonlze this tite Depart
ment by substituting steam for muscle. The
best verdict we could have. the best judgment We
could receive upon our efforts, was that he stood
A.
held up his hands as you have held up ours, and
have made the Fire Department Of New Orleans,
with its steam engines, the proudest in the land.
Other cities boast of their organizations which
have been perfected by some Of the subllmest
efforts of human wisdom concentered IL a few
heads and managed by few hands; but here,
where we are all great-where we are each the
peer of the other-where we have Fire Depart
ment in which every man, from the highest to
the lowest, is gent!eman-we stand upriS int be-
fore the country and before the world and say,
Here, in New Orleans, we have a volunteer
Fire Department, perfect in all its details, and
better than any which you pay for their hired
labor." [Applause.]
Gentlemen, have, perhaps, been too long in
this retrospection, but this beautiful engine re-
calls to my memory the time when. on one bril-
liant fourth of March, despite every obstacle,
despite every obstruction, we took to the
ment OF New Orleans. She is a beautiful one
now, she was beautiful one then YOU have inn
proved on her as you have advanced in years,
and she glows with beauty.
But, gentlemen, we have more be autiful SUBJ
ject yet. have not done. if you will allow me,
with the Retrospective. Let me go back only five
years to the time when another singularly beau
tiful engine stood upon premises similar to these,
and we dedicated her then to the honor and to
the beauty of the daughter of our friend. Gentle
men, ths instance tonight, the passage OF these
years over our heads, and the repetition now OF
what we then beheld, ought to be to this dear
young lady still higher compliment than any
We have yet paid her. 1t was easy to
see five years ago how we honored
her, but when we come here again and lay this
beautiful engine at her feet, having carried her
name for five years, and tell her We desire to
carry it for many, many more, she, and all con
nected with her, must leel that there depth OF
sincerity i'll our hearts that time alone can prove
TApplause.
Gentlemen, it is well for all men to do honor 10
those they love. cit il better to give" says
Holy writ, "than to receive" Then let us con.
graduate ourselves in having this beautiful gift
to present to the daughter of our host. Let US
remember what we owe to him and owe to her
L.t us remember that what we owe to her is that
spontaneous affection which we should have TO.
the one to whom We dedicate the dearest prsze
We have. l will ask you now, each and all Of
you to let your hearts, men Of Louisiana Hose
like this machine, overflow with highest affection
for Annie Howard.
Mr.. Hornor here broke bottle Of champagne
on the dashboard of the engine and christened
her 'Annie Howard"
The band then played ''Gentle ANNIE" after
which three rousing cheers were given for the
little lady, MISS Annie, on the suggestion Of Col
J.. b. Walton.
Major E. A. Burke then stepped forward on
behalf Of Miss Annie Howard, and said:
Gentlemen OF Louisiana Hose-I have been
deputed BY her little ladyship to express to rhe