Evening star., 1896-09-21
INDIANA'S GIFT.
Silver Service and Library for Her
NamesaI1e in the Navy.

Namesake in the Navy.
NEW YORK, September Ex-Governor
Claude Matthews and about seventy five
prominent citizens Of Indiana went on the
United States battle ship Indiana, lying off
Tcmpkinsville. S. l., today. They were
welcomed by Captain Robley D. Evans, the
ships commander, and salute of thirteen
guns was fired in their honor. The pur-
pose of this delegation Of westerners 10 the
finest of the nations ships of war was to
present to it's officers the silver service and
library that the citizens of Indiana have
provided for the craft, named in honor Of
the state they represent.
Governor Matthews said IN making the
presentations:
Gov. Matthew'S Remarks.
Capt. Evans: We are here today repre-
senting the citizens of great inland state,
to greet you on the sea and to express to
you in part the grateful recognition of an
honor conferred upon the state, which
justly holds ever loyal devotion. Indiana
felt truly honored when this magnificent
vessel and powerful engine of war was
christened with her name, and yet with
pardonable pride, we, citizens of Indiana,
feel that she could wear upon her massive
sides or float from her masthead no prouder
name.
"a great ship, triumph of the ingenuity
of man, should we'll be coupled with a
great state, whose greatness rests upon the
generous gifts Of God and their wise de-
velopment and ennobling us by man.
You, sir, to whom as commander we
bring this tribute of our people, so truly
expressive of their culture, their generosity
and their patriotism, we beg you to accept
| for the good ship Indiana for the use of
yourself. your officers and those who may
| worthily come after you to walk these
okc hnpn ia Of fho A
| can citizen, whether upon the land or upon
| the sea.
For this gift was prompted and en-
| couraged by the highest sense of patriotism,
contributed as it was by toilers on the
| farm and in the workshop, by men in the
professions, by citizens of every vocation,
| high and low. rich and poor, and last, but
not least, by the children of our schools
| where early are taught the lessons of a
sublime devotion to country, supreme
| reverence for its laws and its flag.
1T may be appropriate to speak brief
word on this occasion to you-whose mis-
| fortune it Is not to have been child of
| Indiana. and which you doubtless appre-
ciate-abort the great statement hail
| frcm,' and in the achievements of which
our hearts are filed with just and pardona-
| of that vast domain we call our comm on
| countrymen and today the center of popu-
lation, is through soil and climate and
position in the highway of progress bes:
| toSAeSN sAAS AisACSl pHs SiSes. e|'AA Ia
| tellectual development. The pioneers, a
sturdy, manly race of farmers. who first
pierced the Dense umbr 4geous forests OF
Indiana, Drawing the dangers of new and
| unknown country, and facing merciless
| foes, came with stout hearts and strong
| arms, the advance guard in the grand
| march Of civilization to lay the foundation
| Of an empire and rear their children in G
| noble, self-reliant manhood. What apa-
thetic sublmity in the record of the:l
humble lives. And could we but read In
full the simple annals of earnest struggle
the daily sufferings and sacrifices. what a
glory would encircle the memory of the
men and women of that day.
Before closing it Is just and proper thai
he who was the inspiration Of the senti
ment which is now fulfilled today in the
presentation Of the silver service SHOULD
have that credit due-Mr. Charles r. vii
liams of Indianapolis. He gave unspar
II gly and untiringly of his time and la
Dor. We all in the name of the state re
joice in the success which has crowned
his earnest efforts.
In conclusion. Captain Evans, no sinai
qualification comes to US on this occasion
that this presentation may be made to thi!
ship while In command Of one who has a
all times and on all occasions shown
courageous devotion to his country and
lofty fidelity to duty. I beg you, in pe
half Of tie people of Indiana, to accep
this silver service as an expression of tn
appreciation of the honor bestowed upoI
their state.''