The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-04-13
SHIP Eel SUD-"
The Master Mind of Transportation
Says Commerce is King"
Launching the First Great Ship South
of Mason and Dixon's Line-An
Admirable Address.

Coils P. Huntington, the master mind
of transportation in America, says the
Tucson (AriZ.) Sun, is generally admitted
to be the most successful railroad man of
to-day on this continent, and ere long
he will be known as the Prince of Com
merce. His railroads extend from ocean
to ocean, and their branches permeate
more than one-third of the States.
From dry land he has launched his I'M
firing energies and far-seeing mind into
the commerce of the seas, and to this end
he has established the largest shipyards
IN the world at Newport News, which
includes an area of about 100 acres, and
employing about 1000 men, in which the
merchant marine of America will receive
an impetus that will float the American
colors on every ocean and sea on the
globe.
On the 10th of March just passed, the
steamship II Sud, built for the Morgan
line, which plies between New York and
New Orleans, was launched. Its length
IS 40 feet; capacity, 5,400 tons. 1t was
christened by Miss Louise Armstrong of
Hampton, Va, (where are located the
well-known Huntington industrial
works and school for the training of
negro and Indian youths). At the con-
cluslon of the launch a banquet was
given, at which speeches We're made by
senator Frye and Congressman Boutelle.
Outhworth, Herbert and others. The
most striking address was that of C. p.
Huntington, who has never posed as a
public speaker; but speaking from the
fullnesS OF his heart and mind he uncon-
sclously uncoverS spirit OF patriotism
which runs all through his address that
must command the admiration of every
true American citizen. Mr.. Huntington
spoke as follows:
We have met to christen and launch the
steamship FL sud. She is the first great ship
believe, That has ever been built south of the
fotomac, and we have named her The
south May she be the first of long list of
ships to be built in this section of the country
where the greatest amount of material for
such work is found. And NAV she be me
pioneer OF a great commercial future for the
South--although II matters little in what see
ton OF our country these ships are built, SO
CLat the flag OF our common country floats
over them; and hope TO see all the different
sections vie with each other in sending that
nag over all The seas and into the harbors of
all Tue nations. Let us learn to look upon
that ensign not so much as the emblem of war
as the emblem of peace. Let us hope that in
the future the ships over which it floats may
carry-not soldiers nor the munitions of war
out the products OF American industry: not
so much the ores of the mine as the finished
Shapes made from those ores; not so mudal
Inc lumber OF the forest as the useful imple-
Inents madefrom il; not somuch the fiber and
the crude material from the farm as the wool
or fabric maze from that fiber.
The difference of value between the cotton
lioer OF the south and the wool into which it
IS woven, for one season alone is more than
eight hundred millions of dollars-an enor-
nous suin-yet great as IL is, the value to our
country OF having this industry created for
the benefit of the great army of working peo-
pie who are waiting for and who need the
work Is UNNECESSARILY greater. Work is what
The people want Without it nothing is Gre
ated- With IL they are contented ana happy
" ny, then, should they not have it?
The artist labors long to create a fine picture
upon piece of canvas that cost but a few
shiliingS; the iioer from which the canva WAS
mace coSt but a few fafthiDgS; the seed from
winch the fiber grew little more than the air
we breathe. The half million OF dollars and
more winch the builders OF the great ship pay
lor its construction is nearly all paid Tor Ia
Dor The iron in the mine, the coal in its ma
tive beds, The timber in the forest that have
been used IN its construction, count as almost
nothing in comparison with the finished pro-
DUCT one or the beams in the ship is worth
perhaps all the vast tonnage of the crude ma
terlal before II was stirred Dy the hand of man
W hat then, is more honorable than the in
austry which takes this crude material and
fashions 1t into the marvellous fabric ola Ship?
from the commencement TO the COMPLETION
OF the work ali along the lines OF labor, from
the miner toIling Underground to the man
who designed the monster engines with their
complicated machinery, that are 10 drive the
snip through stormy seas. the labor is alike
honest ana honorable. And this is as il
should be: Ii is the way the workman does
and his time after his days work Is done
that determine the degree OF honor which
glFeS him his place in tne world. This, too
IS as it should e.
No man is independent of his % lows. The
interests of rich ana EooT are SO interviewer
that neither is at his best except when both
are in accord. This. again, is as it should be-
so let us hope that The employer and the EN-
ployed Will work together in harmony each
respecting the other because of his manhood
that being the highest standard by which
man should be judged.
hope TO see you all here at the christening
and launching OF many ships at TINS port OF
Newport News. as many shall be puil here
This should have been the great entrepot of
American commerce as il is at the very gate
way OF the sea, with IL wide and safe entrance
anu commodlOuS harbor; is neither hot in
summer nor cold in winter, and is in the cen
Ter OF the Atlantic coast line OF this great re-
public. What is almost better than all If is
IN the State of Virginia. My interests III the
old Dominion have been very large for MANY
years, and i owe IL to the State To saw that
those interests have always received from her
q wise and hearty encouragement and a far
treatment that an honest regard for iud yidual
rights and an intelligent understanding OF the
States own best interest would prompt |
nave for the Old State q most afiectiouate re-
gard, for have met within her boraers only
i friends. And ! believe that ali who come
within her domain will be equally well cared
for Many may come to this favored port and
that, too, from all the trade centers of the
world; and may the commerce OF this place go
out even beyond the points from which they
come for however far the missionary and
crusader may go, commerce will always leave
their utterm0St limits benInd ana carry civil
izaTIon aud its handmade, religion. far be-
You'd them; Tor commerce is king.
Auction Sales.
Bell Greer & Co will sell at a,ction