The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-02-08

Empire State Society, said yesterday that
bill would be presented to Congress in
short time asking for the transfer of
| the Constitution to Washington. A COM
mittee from the National Society will
present the bill, and the States will
memorabilia Congress, through their sew
eral Congressional delegations, urging
the enactment of the law.
Gen. Horace Porter, who is presid emit
of the National Society, and Chauncey
M. Depew. president of the Empire State
Society, have the project much at heart
and feel confident Congress will act fav-
orably on the petition. If SO another
chapter will be added to the eventful his
tory Of this famous old battleship.
. Built in 1897 at a cost of $50. 600 at the
Boston Navy Yard, she was rated forty
our guns. Her memorable record in
the War of 1912 is known to every stu
dent of America history. Capt. Hull,
who first commanded her. forced many
British prizes to strike their colors. The
victory over the Guerrero was the Con-
stltution's most famous achievement
while Capt Hull was in command.
Numerous other British prizes were cap
AehcOL Ia uAlC VIGIL WA0u OdpUs odlu-
bridge was in command. She defeated
the Java, and afterward captured the
Cyane and the Levant
When, In 1850, it WAS proposed to break
up the battle SCARED old frigate, which
had been sadly neglected, DIR. Holmes
came TO the rescue with his soul stirring
power OF Aye, tear her battered ensign
down" These verses defeated the plan
| to break her up. For long time past
she has been doing duty as receiving
snip, but presents forlorn appearance.
She needs thorough overhauling, to say
the least, and it is proposed by the Sons
or the American Revolution to rebuild
her almost entirely. The hull can be
| preserved.
SCOTT, was sent up to Portsmouth to
die. We propose that she be sent to
Washington to live. Some months ago
l submitted a resolution advocating
the preservation Of the Constitution to
The National Executive Committee of
our society. was authorized to intro
duce 1t at our Congress last year, ana it
was unanimously adopted. In accordance
With that resolution, the society is now
to present its bill to Congress to save the
famous old ship. 1t has been proved in
New York State, and evidently in the
other States in which there are societies
OF the Sons of the American Revolution.
GllttI ACTIVITY is Gne essential thing for
life. In New York State we have bristled
with activity. The Board which repre-
sents the society is composed of such men
as Chaunoey NJ. Depew, Robert B.
Roosevelt. Ira Bliss Stewart, Edward
Hagaman Hall, Col. John C. Calhoun,
Walter S.. Logan, Gen. Ferdinand P.
Earle, Gen. Thomas Wilson, United
States Army; Col. Frederick D.. Grant,
Capt Hugh r. Garden, William W. j.
Warren. Ebenezer r. Wright and An
| drew J. G. Foye. These men are devoted
to the idea that the Sons Of the American
Revolution are instituted to enliven live
Americans at the same time that they
are revering dead ones.
1T was in harmony with this idea that
the plan of restoring the old Constitution
came to some members of our board in
New York. We felt that an opportunity
was presented for interesting the whole
country over ~ patriotic subject. We
are confident of success -