The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-23
FLIES A STARRY BANNER.
The Big Ocean Steamer New York
Now Sails Under the Amer
ican Flag
Tho Ceremony OF Raising tho EN-
blem Attended With Much
Enthusiasm.
President Harrison Pulls "Old Glory" to
the Top Of the Main Mast
speeches Made.


raising the American flag on tho steamship
New York, arranged for noon to-day. WAS
marred by tho inclement weather. The
beginning Of the ceremonies was made late
by the delay Of the president, owing to the
storm. Everything was in readiness by l2
O'Clock. the New York having taken up her
position near the battery. the United States
cruiser Chicago being there also. Along
the river the docks and vessels were gayly
decorated. All big transatlantic liners in
port were flying flags at every peak and
long lines of strosmers stretched from
mast to mast. On the New York two bat
talions of naval reserve were on duty.
She looked quick and span. All the sailors
we're in new uniforms. There was quite a
crowd in tho Pennsylvania depot when the
presidents train at last drew in.
About two o'clock the president walked
down the platform leaning Oh the arm of
Mayor Giroy. Secretaries Elkins, Wana-
maker and Rusk and Gen. j. A. Dumont
followed Immediately after, and with the
rest of the party. hurried on board the Sam
Sloane and almost Immediately after
steamed off for the New York. Upon receipt
of news of tho arrival of the presidential party
the cruiser fred the presidents salute and
followed 1t up in ten minutes later with an
| other in honor of Secretary Tracy.
President Harrison came aboard the New
York shortly after two O'Clock. The naval
reserve drew up in double rank on the hur-
| ricane deck with the band corps in the rear.
The presidential party was given hearty
cheer. President Harrison was escorted to
the stern of the ship by Capt. John G..
Jsmison. commander. followed by the four
members of the cabinet who were present
and Clement A. Griscom. president of the
American line, and directors of the COM
pany. Congressman Bourke Cochran, to
whom was given the honor of formally in
vitinR President Harrison to raise the flag,
stepped toward and said:
MY Friends: l have been asked by the
officers OF the company whose hospitality
We enjoy to open the ceremonies. Those
ceremonies consist in replacing foreign
flag by the flag of our country at the mast
head of this triumph of the ship builder y
marks q peaceful conquest-a conquest of
civilization-which We celebrate when We
annex this splendid specimen of marine
architecture to the American merchant ma
rine. | turn. Sir. to you turning to Presi-
dent Harrison who stands before the
world to-day. high type of the citizenship
of this country, q heroic defender of its in
teQrity, and commit to your hands the
| patriotic task Of unfurling from the mast
head the flag which typites American lib
erty and enlightened progress
His add ess was received with great ap-
plause. President Harrison said:
"Mr. Cochran and gentlemen: It gives
me pleasure to consummate here to-day, by
the act of lifting the flag, legislation to
which gave my hearty support. l felt as
citizen, and president, the modification
which every American must feel who ex-
/
States in the merchant marine world.
believe we have reached an epoch in our
development when the great work of inter-
national development is SC far consum-
mated that we might successfully take up
the work OF recovering our fair share in
the carrying trade of the world. Ap-
plause We lift the flag over one ship, an
event intel estinR in itself; but its interest
to me is in the fact that this ship is the
| type and precursor of many others that are
to float this flag. lApplause | deem it
an entirely appropriate function that the
president of the United States should lift
the American flag"
were run up and the string of strea mers
unfurled extending over the masthead to
| bow and stern of the liner. The preai-
dents flag topped the main mast, the COM
pany's new house flag tloated at the fore
and the mail flag was displayed at the miz-
zen mast.
Simultaneously with the appearance of
"Old Gloty" over the taffrail the guns OF
the Chicago fired a national salute of
twenty-one guns. The navy yard in Brook.
lyn also responded with twenty-one guns,
and then followed a pandemonium OF
whistlinR and bell ringing from aft in the
harbor. The trip down the bay WAS can
celed on account of the storm. At the
! conclusion of the ceremonies President
| Harrlson retired to the main saloon, where
he held reception. He met and shook
hands with several hundred guests. At
$3.50 the presidential! party went on board u
Starin steamer. which departed immedi-
ately for Jersey City, where they took the
four O'Clock train for Washington.