Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-11-17
The St. Louis, American Built,
Flying the Stars and Stripes
q CHRISTEN THEE ST. LOUIS
MIRA Cisveisns Acted as Godmothsr aud
the President Respossied TO n
Toast 60 His Health.

IL 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 $1,000 people. Mrs. Cleveland. wife
OF the president. broke the traditional
bottle of champagne on the bow OF the
noble ship as she glided down the ways.
at the same time uttering the words.
II christen thee st. Louss." In this In
stance and for the Arst time since the
ceremony was observed at the ship
yards. the champagne was OF American
make. All preparations for the launch
had been carefully made and although
the ship II 100 feet longer than any that
has ever been launched. the difficult
feat of getting the vessel from the ways
into the water was accomplished with
/ out a hitch. After the launching the
invited guests. TO the number OF 400.
/ were entertained at lunch in the Office
OF the builders.
Charles II. Cramp. I'm a speech OF well
come to President Cleveland. said with
two exceptions the ST. Louis was the
largest and most powerful ship In the
world. He referred TO the progress OF
shipbuilding under cleveiand's admin
istration and credited TO his policy the
L
been accomplished in America. 1.-THE
Sc. Louis he said. is built on Amer
lean plans. by American workmen and
OF American material .Twenty-six ships
were recommended BY Mr.. Cleveland
and authorized by congress" Con-
GLIDING. he said. that while there may
be honest differences on the questions
OF national policy. approval OF Clevc-
lands vigorous and patriotic naval
policy will always be unanimous
At the conclusion OF Cramps speech,
President Griscom OF the International
! Navigation Company. who acted az the
toastmaster, proposed the health of the
: president OF the United States. which
was drunk with cheers.
CLEvELAND's REPLY.
; President Cleveland said: II would
not be entirely frank II did not ac.
knowledge the extreme personal salts
faction afforded me by the references
Just made 10 the part which fell Il
me as n high duty and privilege In the
great work of creating an American
navy and at the same time stimulatins
American shipbuiiding. We shall fai
70 realize the Significance OF what WE
have seen today IL we overlook the faci
that the causes OF our congratulationi
: reach beyond actual accomplishment
2 and are not limited To things alread,
3 done and within our sight. while WI
A may well be proud because we hav'
5 launched the largest and most powerful
3 steamship ever built In the western
: hemisphere and with two exception
/. the largest and most powerful In tn
Q world. and while we may find reason 10
\ I4Hnitionai pride In the fact that. not
v Notwithstanding that the general econom.
OF outward conditions Is not encourag
ing to such achievements. this grea
vessel has been built on American plan
by American mechanics and OF Amerl
can material. yet we must not forge
that our greatest cause of congratula
y tion Is found In the hope and promls
!. these Incidents furnish of the reviva
: and development OF American com
: merce and renewed appearance OF tn
American nag In foreign ports.
= II hope that I shall not be accuses
{ of making a suggestion calculated {
= mar the qualification which the oc
= casion inspires IL remind you that tn
: ship that we have just launched wa
built In fulfillment OF conditions i'm
posed In considerations OF the reiaxatio
y OF our registry laws. Commerce Is IA
J. iife-blood OF the nation and no countr'
3 that loses or impoverishes II can reac
n and maintain a commanding positio
8 among the nations OF the earth. Gu
n flag not only tells of our existencs
but 1t ls the symbol OF all that Amer
can institutions represent"
e In conclusion. President Clevelan
y said. "Since my participation in the II
y building OF our navy during my forme
q official term has been 30 natteringi
referred to. hope that 1t In not amis
for me TO say that shall deem myse
I. especially fortunate II In time TO com
IL can be said that have done som.
:" thing during my present incumbenc
to aid the freedom and extension
4 American commerce and the consequeE
% further growth OF American shipbuile
5. ing"