The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-22
CENTENNIAL OFF THE LAUNCHING
OF THE FRIGATE CONSTITU-
TION OBSERVED.
"0LD IRoNsIDEs' H0N0RED.
SOUTH CHURCH CROWDED WITH A
NOTABLE AUDIENCE FOR
THE EXERCISES.
ATLANTIC SQUADRON
THERE.
Officers Of the Modern Battleships
Among Those Who Took Part
In the Display.

BOSTON, Oct 21.-Untoward wealth
er conditions interfered with the out
door exercises today, marking the CEN
tennial Of the launching of the United
States frigate Constitution. Rain fell
throughout the forenoon, giving a be-
draggled appearance to the decorations
in honor of the occasion. Long before
the hour assigned for the exercises to
begin the historic old South church was
filed to its utmost capacity. Among
those present in the church were many
Daughters Of the American Revolution,
whose organization had prominent
part in bringing about this celebration,
members of the state militia, represent
ative United States government Off
cials and representatives of foreign
countries, mayors of New England
cities, members of congress, of the leg
islatures and the governors council
and the officers of the North American
squadron. Gov. Wolcott acted as pre-
siding officer, and delivered the opening
address, referring in eulogistic terms
to the vessel in honor of which the an
niversary was held and the patriotism
which marked her history
Gov. Wolcott introduced Theodore
Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the
navy, who spoke in part as follows
"The moment Of the Constitutions
launching was the beginning of our
navy, as we know it today. 1t was
fifteen years after the launching of the
Constitution and her sister ships be-
fore that proud flag which menaced
us was humbled, and during that fif-
objected to the maintenance of a navy
1t was because we had the Constitu-
ton and her sister ships that we came
out of the war with credit, and it is
due to a policy contrary to that which
prompted the construction of such ves-
sells that in recent years brought us to
danger of the gravest national dis
honor"
At this point Maj. William H. Gar
land, Of Boston, who was powder
boy on board the Constitution, in her
famous battle with the Guerriere, was
presented to the audience and Gov.
Wolcott himself led in three cheers
for the veteran.
Mayor Quincy, of Boston, then de-
livered a short address, Prof. j. w.
Churchill. of Andover, read Oliver
Wendell Holmes poem. "Old Iron
Sides" Then Maj. Garland addressed
the audience briefly. The historic ad-
dress of the day was then delivered by
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.
In the naval parade the marines and
sailors from the vessels from the
North Atlantic squadron in port, COM
prising the Massachusetts, New York,
Texas, Indiana and Brooklyn, were in
line, accompanied by the Massachu-
setts naval brigade, Kearsarge naval
Veteran association and survivors Of
the Eighth Massachusetts volunteers.
The parade was under the direction of
Brig. Gen. L. ]. Carter inspector gen
eral of Massachusetts, chief marshal.
It started from the foot of State street
at o'clock. On reaching Constitution
wharf, a passing salute was fired. At
the Charlestown navy yard, Gov. Wol-
cCtt, with his staff and invited guests,
boarded the famous old frigate, where
a public reception was held. The
wharves and tranships were bedecked
with bunting, and tonight the Massa-
chUsetts and New York will be illumi-
rated.