Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-02

crew, lined up on deck, formed the back
ground Of n very pretty picture. The
guests were escorted to the quarter deck of
the cruiser, where Mayor Pratt formally
introduced Colonel McReevee, who, in be-
half Of the citizens of Minneapolis, pre-
scented the silver service, together with u
handsome Anderson upright piano and a
birdseye view of the city of Minneapolis,
seven feet in length.
Colonel McReevee's Address.
1t is our pleasure, rs well our privilege,
to stand before you today the humble rep
rescntatives Of one of those phenomenal
western communities where the wild buff
falo and noble red man are popularity sup
posed to roam at will through the streets.
We who do not know IA bohstay from u
bow line, who cannot discriminate between
pinnacle and u barnacle, whose knowl-
edge Of navigation is confined entirely tc
prairie schooners-and schooncrs of quito
another type, we simple grangerS from our
peaceful homes upon the pleasant prairies
of distant Minnesota here find ourselves
suddenly face to face with all the "pomp
and circumstance of glorious war; wait
ing but signal to convert the slumberng
cNiathan into a living engine of destruc-
ton so terrible that the brain of the I'M
itiatcd sickcns rs II contcmplatcs these
death dealing possibilities, 10 Mars we
come-and with Sigh of infinite relief we
find that the god has dotted his Grm0r and
grects us snilingly.
And yet, ignorant as we are Of
The flashing brine,
The spray and TIL oceans roar;
mcckly rs we bow to the appropriate
cpilhet of ''land- lubbcrs," do not we beg
you, think so lightly Of our intelligence ~
to deem us either ignorant or unmindful
of the glorious achievements of the Amcri-
can sailor.
The American snilor? OK him has it
truthfully been said: "Th2 world has no
match for him, man for mal; and he asks
for no odds, and he cares for no odds when
the cause of humanity or the glory OF his
country calls him to fight Upon the
brightest page of our histury-that part of
1t which the world knows by heart is writ
ten his record; and there, in characters Of
living light shine forth the nnm3s of Paal
Jones, and Decatur and Hull; OF Wordcn,
and Foot and Farragut.
Household words have they been to us
and household words will they remain for
ever, that loving mothers may use to teach
to prattling babes the lesson Of
Courage, Patriotism and Loyalty.
To you, gentlemen, worthy successors
of such galaxy of heroes, commissioned
under the proudest banner that ever
foated from citadel or masthead, to main
tain upon the high seas the honor and dig
nifty of 7o,0O0000 of frcemen, armed and
equipped as Columbia ever prepares her
children to fight, when fight they must,
xxr,Il
ing tribute for the great honor bestowed
upon the city of bur love.
And we should be untrue to ourselves:
untrue to the wishes and commands OF
those whose servants we are. did we fail to
assure you of the apprciative pride which
fills the heart of each and every one of us,
not only for the stately ship which bears
the name Minneapolis. but thousand
times more for her gallant officers and
crew. strangers to us though they may be,
in whose keeping we know full well that
the honor, surrounding like halo thas
name which is to us home, and reputation,
and all that man holds most dear, is safe
beyond peradycnture, and will be
guarded with jealous. watchful care, as
brave men are ever wont to do.
Take our modest otfering-use it every
day. Tho gifts to other warships may be
more beautiful and magnificent, but
among them all there is not one which
bears with 1t the hearty good will which
comes with this gift of the people.
The mountain may not come to Maham
med, but no officer or sailor of this pcerles;
ship can ever come to Minneapolis withou,
being treated as one of our own.
And as you go forth to tempt the peril.
OF the mighty deep. whether beneath tn
burning sun of the tropics or amid tn
eternal winter of the polar seas, witt
deepest thoughts shall we follow yo,
always, feeling that between us there is
bond Of union which time cannot destroy
nor distance nor separation cfface from on
hearts. God bless you all.
LIN Happy Responses.
Captain George H. Wadleigh, as tn
representAtiSea Of the Minneapeiis. ant
Admiral Buncc, for the secretary o
the navy, responded in happy speeches
after which the party was escorted Owe
lAtiona s-0 = 20