The morning call., 1894-11-13

on the bow Of the noble ship as 1t glided
down the ways, at the same time uttering
the stirring words, II christen thee st.
Louis" In this instance and for the first
time since the ceremony was observed at
the shipyard, the champagne was Of Amer
icRn make.
All preparations for the launch had
been carefully made, and although the
ship is 120 feet longer than any that has
ever been launched. the difficult feat of
getting the vessel from the wavs into the
water was accomplished without hitch.
After the launch the invited guests to
the number of 400 were entertained at a
luncheon in the office of the builder.
Charles H. Cramp. in a speech OF welcome
TO President Cleveland. said that with two
exceptions the St. Louis was the largest
and most powerful ship in the world. He
referred to The progress OF ship building
under Cleveland's administration, and
credited to his policy the fact that such
wonderful results had been accomplished
in America. "The St Louis" he said,
''is built on American plans. by Ameri-
can workmen ana of American material.
TweDty-six ships were recommended by
President Cleveland and authorized by
Congress-" Concluding he said: "While
there may be honest differences on other
questions the national apl rOval of Cleve-
lands vigorous and patriotic naval policy
will always be unanimous"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Cramps
speech President Griscom of the Inter
national Navigation Company, who acted
as toastmaster, proposed the health of the
President OF the United States, which was
drunk with cheers.
President Cleveland, responding. said
81 would not be entirely frank if did not
acknowledge the extreme personal salts
faction afforded me by the reference lust
made to the part which fell to me as
high duty and privilege in the great work
in creating an American navy and at the
same time stimulating American ship
building. We shall fail to realize the
significance of what we have seen to-day
II we overlook the fact that tho causes of
our congratulaton reach beyond aclnal
accomplishment and are not limited to the
things already done and within our sight.
While we may we'll be proud because we
have launched the largest and most
powerful steamship ever built in the West
ern Hemisphere ana, with two exceptions.
the largest and most powerful In the world.
and while we may find reason for addi-
tioDal pride in the fact, Notwithstanding
general economic untoward conditions
not encouraging to such achievements.
that this great vessel has been built on
American plans by American mechanics
and of American material, yet we must
not forget that our greatest cause OF con-
graduation is found in the hope and prom
ise these incidents furnish of the revival
and development of American commerce
and the renewed appearance of the Ameri-
can flag In foreign ports. 1 hope / shall
not be accused of making a suggestion
calculated 70 mar the qualification which
the occasion inspires if | remind you that
the ship we have just launched was built
in fulfillment OF conditions imposed in con-
siderstion of the relaxation of our registry
laws. Commerce is the life-blood of a
nation and no country that loses or inn
poverishes that can reach and maintain
commanding position among the nations
of the earth. Our flag n OF only tells of our
existence, but IL is symbol of all that
American institutions represent"
In conclusion President Cleveland said ::
''Since NV participation in rebuilding our
navy during a former official term has
been flatteripgly referred to, hope it is
not 8miss for me to Say that shall deem
myself especially fortunate if In time to
come it can be said that I have done some.