Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-09-22
BAT1LESHIP INDIANA
PRESENTATION OF SILVER FROM
CITIZENS OF HOOsIER STATE.
SPEECH OF BENJAMIN HARRISOK'S.
The Reconstructfon of Our Navy
Orr Foreign Policy Not senti-
mental-Wc Must Maintain the
Monroe Doctrine.
Monroe Doctrine.

NEW YORK, September 2l.-The bat
tleship Indiana was presented to-day with
a handsome silver service by the citizens
of the State in whose honor the crack
fighter of the navy is named. The cere-
monies OF the presentation were simple
but impressive. The handsome silver set
was spread out on the quarter deck aft,
and gathered about was a distinguished
company OF naval and military men,
number of citizens of Indiana, and beau
tiful and well-gowned women. Grouped
about on the turrets and the sides OF
the ship were the jack-tars, In their natty
costumes, all making striking scene.
one OF the features of the day was a
speech by ex-President Harrison, who
was numbered among the guests.
Nearly all the official party, including
Governor Matthews, of Indiana; ex-Presi-
dent Harrison. and misunderstanding
of-the-Navy McAdoo, boarded the dis
patch-boat Dolphin. and steamed down TO
the man-of-war shortly before noon. The
fleet had been formed In columns, ana as
the Dolphin passed through the nag
ship New York gave a salute OF seven
teen guns, the Dolphin acknowledging IL
with a response of thirteen guns. 1he
Dolphin proceeded out. giving the guests
little excursion to sea. She returned
soon after O'Clock. and transferred her
guests to the Indianapolis. In the mean
time Admiral Bunce had come aboard
from the flagship and was received by
Captain Robley d. Evans, Of the In
diana.
The first of the party TO come aboard
from the Dolphin was ex-President HaI-
rison. who was warmly greeted by Al
miral Bunce The moment he stepped on
deck the big guns Of the whole neet-
the Raleigh, Massachusetts,, Maine, MONT
gomery, Columbia, New York, ana IN
diana-thundered out twenty-one guns
the Indianas band played Hail to the
Chief" and the jack-tars stood at quar-
tiers and saluted.
The guests, some 200 in all, formed
circle around the spot where the silver
service was displayed. The ceremonies
opened with a presentation speech by
Governor Matthews, who took position
i'm front of the beautiful silver set.
Governor Matthews was followed by
First Assistant Secretary OF the Navy
McAdoo, who accepted the service In De
half OF his department and OF Captain
Evans.
Mr.. Charles r. Williams. Of Indianapo-
lis. the prime mover In starting the popu-
lar fund for the service, was the next
speaker. and at the conclusion of his al
dress there were cries for eX-fresiuen'
Harrison, who responded as follows:
HARRISON'S SPEECH.
IT am delighted to be here and witness
this magnificent spectacle. l am espe-
cially delighted because Of the fact that
60 thar n
and confess the fact the more Willingly
because she ia so young u ship. When l
was In a position TO have some influence
with the Secretary Of the Navy i told
him wanted the best ship then bulidlns
TO be named after Indiana, and L guess
he followed my wish.
Eve have wrought wonders In the
building OF our navy. ! recall with muen
regret the partisan Jealousy manifested
in reconstructing and rebuilding me navy
when / was a senator. 1t moruhel me
then. and | rejoice now that We nave
passed that state OF affairs, ana tha'
Congress does not pause now 10 con-
slider whether we have a Democratic or
Republican Secretary when asked 10 build
additions to our navy for fear OF build-
ing I'D the navy-yard for election time.
''The progress made in our navy mas
been amazing. The countries OF Europe
had spent millions OF dollars upon theH
nayies, while we fell behind Tor twenty
five wears after our civil war. Now we
come i'm to reap all the benefits or the
blunders and outlay OF those countries
We have marched up TO them until we
now stand abreast OF the great naval
constructions of the world. Who says
we shall not go beyond them?
''True. England has more ships than
hut no
them to protect her interests. She must
look out for her numerous Colonies, ana
guard her various interests, for some or
the European nations are catching up
with her. But we do not need such
navy, however. We are commercial
people, and our commerce is extending.
Our people are scattered all over the
earth We send missionaries to far-on
lands We must take care OF them. We
must have ships to speak OF our power
at home. and. If necessary, let the com
manders clear decks 10 protect our citi-
Zens from outrage abroad.
"Our foreign policy has not been sem
timental one, but our sympathies have
gone out 70 every one suffering for free
dom. We are not going 10 seize other
peoples countries. We are not nation
of filibusterers. But other countries are
stretching out. The world IL not big
enough for them. They have come to a
time like that which came to Alexander,
when the world was not large enough.
MONROE DOCTRINE.
"There is a hemisphere here i'm which
we have an interest. We have water
melon so 10 speak. and when 1t is TO
be- sliced we are not going to allow
anybody else TO eat II all up. Our people
are holding congresses of arbitration.
This is all very well, but do you notice
that demands for indemnity are never
made on country that has battleships
like this? How these ships do enforce
a diplomatic note! We must get out iato
the sea everywhere. and look after our
citizens. We do not want to be treated
as Africa has BEEN
Mr.. Harrison then proposed three cheers
for the good ship. her officers and men,
and the flag above her" and the cheers
were heartily given Then Captain Evans
stepped forward saying: my lads three
cheers for the men who gave us this
silver" and the Indiana resounded with
the lusty shouts of the gallant crew.
The guests were then taken on a tout of
inspection over the ship, after which they
were transported To the Dolphin which
conveyed them back TO New York.