The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-31
PRESENTS.
Given to Cruiser
Minneapolis.
The Queen Of the American
Navy Honored.
Handsome Silver Service Of Eiqht
Pieces and Other Things.
Charles McReeve's Speech In Behalf
of the Western City.

silver service OF eight pieces, a aga pic
ture, birds eye view of Minneapolis,
and an elegant upright piano of Minneap-
Oils manufacture We're presented to the
cruiser Minneapolis, the "Queen OF the
Navy, at anchor in the harbor, this fore
noon, by committee of prominent citi-
Zens OF that city, composed of Mayor
Robert Pratt, Col. G. c. McReeve, State
Senator j. +. Wyman, j. S. McLain, edi-
tor of the Evening Journal, and Hon.
George Il. Eustis.
The members of the committee were
escorted from their headquarters in Con-
cord square by the Minneapolis knights
Templars drill corps, who are all citizens
OF that city, headed by band.
At Long Wharf the steam launches and
boats OF the cruiser were waiting for the
party and they were soon in the shadow
OF the warship's high white sizes AT the
gangway of the vessel Captain George B.
Madleigh and the officers of the Minneap-
oils received the visitors, while the crew
lined Up on deck formed the background
OF very pretty picture. The guests were
escorted 10 the starboard side of the
quarterback Of the cruiser, where
Mayor Pratt formally introduced
Col. McReeve, who, in behalf of the
citizens of Minneapolis presented the sill
Yer service, together with a handsome
Anderson upright piano and birds eye
view OF the city OF Minneapolis, seven feet
in length.
In presenting the gifts, Col. McReeve
said:
at is our pleasure as we'll as our privi-
lege, to stand before you today, the hum
bic representatives of one of those phenom-
enal Western communities. where the
wild buffalo, and noble red men are popu-
larly supposed TO roam at Will through
the streets.
I've, who do not know a bobstay from
COW line, who cannot discriminate be-
tween pinnacle and barnscle; whose
knowledge OF navigation is confined en-
tirely to prairie schooners, and schooners
OF quite another type; we, simple grang-
ers from our peaceful home upon the
pleasant prairies of distant Minnes
here find ourselves suddenly face TO face
with all the 'pomp and circumstances OF
glorious war; waiting but signal TO
convert this slumbering leviathan into a
living engine of destruction so terrible
that the brain of the uninitiated sickens
as IL contemplates these death-dealing
possibilities. TO Mars we come and with |
a sigh of ia finite relief, we find that the
god has doffed his armor, and greets us
smilingly. And yet, ignorant as we are os |
'The flashing brine
The spray and the oceans roar:
meekly as we bow TO the appropriate |
epithet OF 'land-lubbers, do not, we beg
you, think so lightly of our intelligence /
as to deem us either ignorant or unmnd- |
ful of the glorious achievements of the |
American sailor.
"The American sailor. or him has il
truly been said: The world has no
match Tor him, man for man; snt he
asks for no odds, and he cares for no
odds, when the cause of humanity, or
the glory of his country call him to
fight.
"Upon the brightest page OF our his
tory, that part of il which tho. world
knows by heart, is written his record.
and there, in characters OF living light.
shine forth the names of Paul Jones, and
Decatur and Hull, of Worden and Foote
and Farragut.
"Household words have they been to
ns; and household words will they remain
forever; that the loving mothers may
use 10 teach, to prattling babes, the lesson
ot courage and patriotism and loyalty.
40 you, gentlemen, worthy successors of
such galaxy of heroes. commissioned
under the proudest banner that ever
loated from citadel or masthead, to main
ain, upon the high seas, the honor and
dignity of 1000, 900 of freemen: armed
md equipped as Columbia ever prepares
Ter children TO fight, when fight they
must. To you, i say, we come bringing
,ur willing tribute for the great honor
upon the city of our love.
"And we should be untrue to ourselves;
untrue 10 the wishes and commands OF
hose whose servants we are, did we fail
o assure you OF the appreciatIve pride
which fills the heart of each and every
me OF us, not only for the stately shin
which bears the name Minneapolis. but
housand times more for her gallant Off
ers and eew, strangers to us, though
hey may De, I'm whose keeping we know
ull well that the honor surrounding like
halo, that name, which is TO us home
nd reputation, ana all that man holds
ear, Is safe beyond a peradventure, and |
Till be guarded with jealous, watchful
are, as brave men are ever wont TO do.
Take our modest offering-use IL every
ay The gifts 10 other warships may be
1Ore beautiful and magnificent, but
mong them all there Is not one which |
ears with II the hearty good will which
ONES with this gift of the people.
The mountain may not come to Mo-
ahmed, but no officer or sailor OF this
eerless ship can ever come TO Minneapo-
$ without being treated as one OF our
wn.
And as you go forth anew to tempt
ne perils OF the mighty deep, whether
eneath the burning sun of the tropics,
r amid the eternal winter OF the polar
sas, with deepest solicitude shall we fol-
wv you always; feeling that between us
here IL a bond of union which time can ,
ot destroy, nor distance, nor separation
face from our hearts. God bless you
H.
Admiral Bunce, as the representative OF
ne Government, responded i'm n happy
)eeech, Captain Wadleigh responding
d behalf OF the cruiser, after which
ne party was escorted over the vessel
nj invited TO partake OF collation.. :
Immediately after the presentation cere- o