The National tribune., 1881-05-01
The Patriot Sailor.

Inc Rabrlob SallOr.
On the 25th of April last there was unveiled in
this city monument to the memory of David
GLASGOW Faragut An imposing naval and mile .
tary procession took place and orations were de-
livered by President Garfield, Hon Daniel w.
Voorhees, and Hon Horace Maynard The man
whose name was thus honored was, in all respects,
deserving the praises accorded him, as the most
eminent naval officer who had ever been in the ser
vice of the United States. His career extended
from the time he was bright little midshipman of
sixteen till he long past three score. The SER
vice Of John Paul Jones during our revolutionary
struggle was more brilliant, perhaps but it was
exceedingly brief The hero nearest approaching
Farragut in character and exploits was Isaac Hull,
who never lost a vessel, and sunk British ship
having more men and tonnage in fifteen minutes
after engaging her Founded on this battle is the
thrilling old patriotic song
1t oftimes hath been told
That British sailors bold,
Gould fog the tars of France neat and handy, OH
But they never found their match,
Till the Yankees they did catch;
Oh! the Yankee boys for fighting the dandy, Ohw
Farragut was a sailor by inclination, and pa
triot by Inheritance His father was a native Of
the Island of Minorca, but arrived in this country
in l776 and took an active part on behalf of his
adopted country in the then pending conflict with
Great Britain. Young Farragut served under the
gallant Porter, one of the heroes of the war Of
1912 and rose gradually in rank t at the close OF
the war of the rebellion, he was the Admiral OF our
Navy-the ranking officer A southerner by birth
he was Tennesseean - citizenship and marriage,
when our late civil war broke out it was supposed
he would join arms with the forces against the
National authority. Those who so reckoned little
knew the man. His subsequent career quickly
proved him to be thoroughly loyal to that flag which
first excited his boyish enthusiasm. We have no
space to follow in detail his naval career His
attacks on the forts below New Orleans, and that
upon Mobile, will ever live in naval history as
among the most daring and brilliant achievements.
Farragut was one of the popular heroes OF the war
The sailors almost idozed him, even as the soldiers
did Pap y Thomas for with all his indomtable
courage he was permeated with geniaty and utterly
unassuming in his manners We remember as if it
was an event of yesterday being in Chicago shortly
after the close of the war, when President Johnson,
!, Secretary Seward, General Grant and the subject
of our sketch with other prominent officials passed
through the city in procession, The Preside Mt
and Secretary were frequently cheered, Grant much
oftener, but the people would not be satisfied
with hurrahing for Farragut They crowded around
his open carriage, impeding the progress Of his
horses and dozens of hands were constantly and
eagerly held out to grasp that of the old hero
But we will bring this sketch to a conclusion by
observing that in future years when the chronicle Of
the historian presents to the generation of Ameri
cans then living the names of our illustrous states
a men, soldiers and sailors who, by the purity Of
their lives the unselfshness of their natures the
sincerity of their motives and the living faith they
cherished in the principles of popular government
combined with calm daring, unquestoned devotion
to their country, high on the list time causing it to
grow even more luminous than now, viii be found
: the name of Farragut"