Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-25

of our country representing Its might. its
power and its benedeence. And where does
that flag ever float that its colors are so
bright and beautiful that all its hues seem
really born in heaven, as when we see IL
floating from ship Of the American Navy?
That commerce may be peaceful and
fruitful in beneficence to all the world, the
sea must be policed and the great highways
of nations be protected and made secure.
10 accomplish this, and to defend the
national honor and the rights Of an Ameri-
can citizenship, wherever they may BIO
threatened. will always require the main
tenance of navy adequate to these great
ends. 1t is u high and mighty trust that is
committed to your charge. men of the
American navy, officers and crew, Ameri-
can sailors--all, That trust has never been
betrayed in the past. We are full of con-
iidence that il will never be betrayed in the
future. The glory and honor of your country
are in peculiar sense in your keeping and
the consciousness OF that fact may well give
you pride, and be your sufficient reward for
the perils you are called to encounter.
We are all better for our meeting here to-
day. and am sure that tue patriotism Of
every citizen Of Wilmington, and of the
State whose metropolis she is, will be
quickened by what we have here witnessed.
We all feel that we have an added interest
i'll the American Navy through the gunboat
Wilmington. We shall follow it as it cruises
in distant seas, with affectionate sulicitude
for those who tread Its decks and direct its
course.
Senator Gray was loudly applauded.
Ex-senator Higgins, in his address,
said:
Mr.. Chairman: This dav and the occasion
that has brought together such a great coin
course of our people is of deep interest To
tho citizens of Wilmington and of Della
ware. do not know that we are any more
patriotic than the people of other cities or
other States, but do know we are not less SO.
| We are acutely concerned in all that
touches the honor. the greatness and the
| glory of our country; and what is the
| American navy but she arm Of the service
to which is expressly committed the defence
| of them all.
Thanks to the foresight, wisdom and
courage of the craftsmanship of those who
| have gone before us this continent is secure
in a condition of peace because so much the
/ larger part of it constitutes but one nation
and all questions of difference between the
| various and widely divided sections OF our
] country are settled under the dome of the
| Capitol at Washington. No external foe
challenges the army of the United States oil
America to-day, or is likely to. Even the
Indian problem has been 50 far settled that
we have no more Indian wars, and appar
emily at least for the army there is only tht
piping times of peace" Not SO with the
navy. 1t is always liable to be involved
wherever we touch the world at large. Anl
where do we not touch the greater world
outside of ourselyesp Two conditions more
and more tend to bring this about. Thu
rest of the world is nearer to us; and ",
ourselves fill an ever growing larger place
in the affairs Of mankind.
Steam and electricity have at last almos