Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-07-03

| dore Davidson. If there is anything he
has confidence and pride in it is the river
traffic and navigation on the upper Missis-
sippi. For more than quarter of GEN.
fury he has struggled to build up the steam
boat interest of these upper waters. Much
of this long period he struggled against
adversely, and a part of the time against
very formidable opposition. At last his
inaomitable pluck, good judgment and
and great energy enabled him to
show himself successful at all points. His
final victory over adverse circumstances,
wealthy combinations and unprincipled
adversaries is a matter of rejoicing, not
only to the commodore himself, but to all
his old neighbors and life long
friends IN this solid old
city of St. Paul; and this
fact is just what took them all down to the
levee yesterday and on board that beauti-
full craft now known as ''St. Paul. They
went to give the commodore of these up.
per waters firm, old fashioned, honest
grip of the hand, to say to the old fresh
water salt, we have seen you struggle for
more than a quarter of century, we have
beheld your heroic courage against adver-
sity, and against unprinci-
pied, soulless combinations. we
have watched you as neighbors and sor-
rowed with you in your dark hours of ad-
versity and now we come in the hour of
prosperity and success to mingle our re-
joicings with yours, as we formerly Joined
with you in sympathy. There were men
in that crowd who have been more or less
identified with Commodore Davidson for
vr11n
locks long since turned to gray, who have
many times stood shoulder to shoulder
to the Commodore, and in whose
broad and manly sympathy there is
world of comfort and encouragement. It
was in the midst of such a crowd of old
time friends and neighbors that he stood
up yesterday morning in the spacious and
airy cabin of the 'St. Paul. and received
the honest sincere words of friendship and
encouragement from his old friends and
neighbors.
HOW IT WAS BROUGHT ABOUT.
Several weeks ago Gen. Averill men
toned in the board of directors chamber
of commerce that Commodore was about
completing a new boat and that it would
be pretty good idea to ask him to name
it after the city Of st. Paul. The board
acted upon the suggestion and invited the
commodore to do so. He complied, and
yesterday the new boat, now named ST.
PauP' arrived at the lower levee at the
foot of Jackson street about o'clock in
morning. After the board of directors of
the chamber of commerce adjourned they
all went down to the boat for the purpose
of presenting to the officers of the boat the
colors.
THE PRESENTATION.
The day was warm one and all
appreciated the refreshing GOODNESS
of the ample cabin of the beautiful boat
After all had passed and repassed all the
points of the beautiful craft they finally
gathered in the center of the grand cabin,
where an upright piano from R. G. Mung-
er's music house had been placed. Soon
after they had thus collected Capt Hutch
inson had large bag that looked like
well fed alderman, brought in and placed
upon the center table, which contained the
colors. A few moments after the Capt.
Blakely as chairman of the chamber of
commerce committee stood up in the
midst of those gathered around the piano.
Calling Capt. Hutchinson he motioned
him to chair and as the latter seated
Capt. Hutchinson, appointed by the chamber
of commerce and representing a large number of
spirited citizens whose hearts and hands warmly
respond to everything that leads to honor this
city IN which they SO Justly take pride, and with
great pleasure on the part of the committee up
on whom has been devolved the Office of making
known to you and through you to the st. Louis
Il St. Paul Packet Co. their high appreciation
of tbs honor they have conferred upon our city
by the name they have given this model steam
er of the upper Mississippi river. The
committee on extending to you
the hearty thanks Of those they rep
resent have thought III to accompany them with
something of more tangible character than
words. and we are instructed to present you with
this beautiful stand of colors for the use of the
st. Paul during her active and successful exist
ence upon the waters of the Mississippi river.
When these pieces of bunting are displayed from
their appropriate places upon this magnificent
vessel, may they remind you and your crew that
they not only emblems of patriotism, honor,
and high trust, bu- that they will be living
witness TO you of the affection of those who
have presented them for you, the packet COM
pany, and the steamboat you command.
May they always be hailed with pleasure by
all who may have occasion to travel or patroniZe
her during her excursions.
We are also desired. as further evidence of
our appreciation of our obligation for this COM
and beautiful piano for the use of the beautiful
and accomplished ladies who may travel upon
your boat, and We are sure that matter how
artistic may be their execution, that it will al
ways make sweet and harmonious music for you.
Having said this much in relation to your
noble boat we still feel that we shall not dis
charge our whole duty unless we shall express
our high appreciation of the hOnored president
of this Packet Co. 1t is now nearly thirty
years since first made the acquaintance of Capt.
VIM. F. Davidson when he first made his ap-
pearance on the upper Mississippi river and
notwithstanding we were for many years
in active competition and after
in strenuous opposition side by
side, still l have never known anything but the
most frank, candid and honorable dealing upon
his part during the long years of our acquaint-
ance. I desire in addition to express my admi-
ration for his indomitable energy and perse-
verauce in the face of obstacles that seemed to
me to be not only opposition but persecution,
not only the water and on land but on the
coasts, and often trembled for the result.
l can most heartily congratulate him on his
happy triumph over all his adversaries, and this
city reason to be proud of the line of beau
tiful boats that now comprise the line of this
company,
CAPT. HUTCHINsoN's REPLY.
Capt. Hutchinson was very brief in &C
cepting the beautiful colors. He explained