The San Francisco call., 1896-09-22

and at the conclusion of his address there
were cries for ex-President Harrison, who
responded as follows:
81 am delighted to be here and witness this
magnificent spectacle. l am especially de-
lighted because of the fact that am a sort OF
grandfather TO the Indiana and confess the
fact the more willingly because she is SO
young ship. When I was in a position to
have some influence with the Secretary of the
Navy told him wanted the best ship then
building to be named after Indiana and L
guess he followed my wish.
"a company of Indiana people have come
here to-day-all those who could get away
but all Indianans are animated by the thought
of pride in the ship, love of the flag and the
confidence in the men the Indiana carries
This is magnificent silver present. Gov
ernor Matthews here takes pleasure in the
white metal, while we take pleasure in the
fact that so much silver will never get into the
mints. He is for free silver, but as to Captain
Evans and the rest of US the question arises,
is Indiana free-silver State?
ave have wrought wonders in the building
of our navy. When l was Senator recall
with much regret the partisan jealousy mani
tested in reconstructing and rebuilding the
navy. 1t mortified me then, and rejoice now
that we have passed that state of affairs, and
that Congress does not pause now to consider
whether we have Democratic or Republi-
can Secretary when asked to build additions
TO our navy, for fear of building up the navy
yard for election of time.
"The progress made in our navy has been
amazing. The countries of Europe had spent
millions of dollars upon their navies while
We fell behind for twenty-five years after our
Civil War. Now we come in to reap all the
benefits of the blunders and outlay of those
countries. We have marched up 10 them, un-
til now we stand abreast of the great naval
constructors of the world.
"Who says we shall not go beyond them?
True, England has more ships than we have,
but she needs every one of them to protect her
interests. She must look out for her numer-
Gus colonies and guard her various interests,
for some of the European nations are catching
up with her. But we do not need such a navy.
We are commercial people and our commerce
is extending. Our people are scattering all
over the earth. We send missionaries to far
off lands. We must take care of them. We
must have ships to speak of power at
home and if necessary let the commanders
clear decks to protect our citizens from outrage
abroad. Our foreign policy has not been
sentimental one, but our sympathies have
gone out to every onesufering for freedom. We
are not going to seize other peoples countries.
We are not a Nation of fiiibusters; but other
countries are stretching out. The world is not
Dig enough lOI L161u l0eI nave cOIue 10 the
time like that which came to Alexander when
the world was not large enough. There is
hemisphere here in which We have an interest.
We have watermelon, so to speak, and when
it is to be sliced, we are not going to allow
anybody else to eat it all up.
Our people are holding congresses of ar BIZ
tration. This is all very well; but do you
notice that demands for indemnity are never
made upon a country that has battleships like
this? How these ships do enforce a diplo-
matte motel We must get out into, the seas
everywhere and look after our citizens. We
do not want to be treated like Africa has been.
Mr.. Harrison then proposed three
cheers for ''the good ship. the officers and
men and the flag a bove her." and the
cheers were heartily given. Chen Captain
Evans stepped forward, saying:
my lads, three cheers for the men who
gave US this silver" and the Indiana re-
sounded with the lusty shouts of the gall
liant crew. Tue guests were then taken on
a tour of inspection over the ship, after
which they were transported to the DOL
phin, which conveyed them back to New
York.