Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1894-11-17
STEAMSHIP FLOATS.
The ST. Louis, American Built.
Flying the Stars and Stripes
Il CHRISTEN THEE ST. LOUIS"
Mrs C3eye:aue acted as 1odtnother and
tine President Responded to
Toast 10 ills Health.

Philadelphia, Nov l2-Silortly after
/ y o'clock the magnificent steamship
| st. Louis Of the American line was sue
cessfully launched at Cramps ship
yards. The affair was witnessed By
fully 50,O00 people. Mrs. Cleveland, wife
" the president broke the traditional
! bottle Of champagne on the bow Of The
noble ship as she gItied down the ways,
at the same time utterinEs the words,
| - chlisten t;!ea 81. Louis HI this in-
stance and fof th- first time since tIla
ceremony was observed III the ship
yards. the champag gne was Vi American
make. q preparations for the latlnch
had been carefully made and although
the ship is l2U feet longer than amy that
mas ever been launched. the difficult
feat oI getting the vessel from tilr ways,
into the water was accomplished with
out L hitch After the launching 1he
invited guests to the number Of 408
We're entertained at lunch in the office
Of the builders.
Charles II. Cramp. iii a speech Of wei
come to President Cleveland, said with
two exceptions the st. Louis was the
largest ana most powerful ship III the
Nfoi
shipbuilding under Cleveland's admin
istration and credited to his policy tne
fact that such wonderful results had
been accomplished il America. "The
ST. Louis" lie said lis built Oh Amer
lean plans, by American workmen and
Of American material .Twenty-six ships
were recommended by Mr.. Cleveland
and authorized by congress- Con-
Guiding, he said, that while there may
be honest differences on the questions
Of national policy, approval Of Cleye-
lands vigorous and patriotic naval
policy viii always be unanimous.
At the conclusion of Cramps speech,
President Griscom Of the Internationa
Navigation Company, who acted as the
tpastmaster proposed the health Of the
president Of the United States. which
was drunk with cheers
CLENELAND'S REPLY
President Cleveland said. "I would
not be entirely frank if [ did not ac-
knowledge the extreme personal salts
faction afforded me BY the reference
just made to the part which fell -
me- as a high duty and privilege in the
great work of creating an American
navy and at the same time stimulating
American shipbuilding. We shall fail
TO realize the significance Of what we
have seen today il we overlook the fact
that the causes of our congratula tions
reach beyond actual accomplishment
aud are not limited to 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 western
hemisphere and with two exceptions
the largest and most powerful il tie
world, and while we may find reason for
additional pride in the fact that, not
withstanding that the general economy
Of outward conditions IS not encourage
ing to such achievements, this great
vessel has been built on American plans
BY American mechanics and Of Anleri-
can material, yet we must not forget
that our creates cause Of congratula-
ton is found in the hope ana promise
these incidents furnish ot the revival
and development Of American COM
mcrca ana renewed appearance Of the
American flag III foreign ports
II hope that ] shall not be accused
Of making Z, suggestion calculated t.
mar the qualification which the oc
casion inspires if | remind you that the
ship that We have Just launched was
built i'll fullilllnent OF conditions inn
posed III consideration Of the relaxation
Of our registry laws. Commerce Is the
life-blCod Of the nation and no country
that loses on impoNerishes it can reach
and maintain z commanding position
among the nations Of the earth. Our
flag not only tells Of our existence,
but it is the symbol Of all that Ameri-
can institutions represent"
In conclusion. President Cleveland
said: Since my participation III the re-
building Of our navy during my former
official term has been 50 tlatte1inglE
referred to. I hope that it is not alniss
for me to say that | shall deem myself
especially fortunate if in time to come
1T can be said that I have done some
thing during my present lncumbency
to aid the freedom and extension If
American commerce and the consequent
further growth Of American shipbuiid