Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-03-22

case Of emergency their construction could
be commenced within the present year.
There is every reason to believe that the
new secretary of the navy has entered upon
the duties of his office with Il complete real
i2aton of the demands upon him and the
opportunities before him. AT a banquet in
his honor in Brooklyn on Saturday evening
Secretary Tracy declared that the events
which have recently taken place ON the is
thmus, in South America and the Pacluc
indicate that the nation must have navy
that will enable it to cope with the tlotlIla
Of any of its ncishbors in Mr.. Tracy's
opinion the republic has lost nothing by be-
ginning late in the work of laying the found
alton of the new navy, for the reason that
the world has recently made wonderful
progress in naval architecture. England,
dissatisfied with her great navy, has decided
TO build large number of new vessels IN
order to keep abreast Of the progress OF the
times and maintain her supremacy Con
tinuing Secretary Tracy said;
There is one thing can say, and ] propose
to say it here aud now upon the very threshold
Of my official career. | know how thoroughly
inNcnChcd / politics in the navy yards OF the
country. ali of which now pas under my con-
trnl a, secretary of The navy. But ] promise,
and prupu~c to adhere to the promise th4t
the navy var, of thr country during my al
miuiStraifou shall not be a-ylums Tor the in
efficient, the Incompetent, and worthless me
chanic. Whether thcy are repupiIans or u' m
Orrat-, have right to insist ana snail INSIST
That they lie skiliul and efficient l9rrinth ahl
skiiIful and worthy mechanics. 1hnt mucn
I can do That much ! promise to DO Ana
further. gentlemen. uncducatcd rs ! am TO
the duties Of ihc new Office, propose TO rid
myself of every obstacle that shall present or
hinder in the slightest degree my deNOjlph OF
all my powers and al my abh'tlcS TO me
faithful discharge Of the duties OF That AlSh
Office.
Ex Secretary Whitney expressed similar
views in a letter which was read at the ban
quot lie said;
There are some things as to- which we can
properly sink larti-ou-Aip, and Il thfr3 Is one
thing more tuau another of which TINS Is true,
il - the Necessity Tor the rehabilitation of the
American navy. 1t is not So important VINO
docs II a- HAT IL j. done. ANA If the new score
tarl gives t. tine ADMINISTRATION OF the depart
mcut intonig,ut direction, venture the pre-
djctiun, indeed, Wi. become surety, that he
finds among lis most faithful trlcndSand ncll-
cr- thc leaders 81 the democratic party. q p
There EcVc, has been tim" when the people
OF ihi- country If both parties dlI not with nm
oar flag with honor and without fear Wherever
We Lave rights to protect. The ACCOMPLISH
mont Of the result is now in the hands OF tine
new secretary. What has thus far been done
has been preparatory mostly "A Foundation mas
been laid, trI,, that at the end Of his term ne
will be able to look back upon lis work and
prunounco il good. Join with You in wishing
for him every success and honor in his new
career.
The American people, without distinction
of party. want a navy and hence it follows
that a navy will be built. The surest way
of enjoying immunity from insult is to he
prepared to resent it. 1t will not be many
wear, before the United States will be in tins
uO,itinO