Evening journal., 1897-11-23
THE HAND or WELCOME.

gunbOat Wilmington, ana 10 the secre-
tarv and other officials Of the Navy De
partment, together with all other visit
ors. the hand Of welcome and good-fel-
lowship
We are honored by their presence in
our midst, and will do everything in
our power to make their stay here
pleasant to the fullest degree. They are
the guests Of the patriotic and liberal
minded citizens OF the metropolis of the
first state to ratify the Federal Con-
stitution. and which has always been
among the foremost in the defence OF
the honor and integrity Of the great
sisterhood Of states.
The gates of the municipality are wide
open to them. They have the freedom
of the city by virtue Of the popular will,
and we hope that they will make the
most of one of the greatest events In
our state and municipal historyN
Our citizens are proud of the staunch
craft now floating so proudly in the
Christiana river. She bears the name
of our beloved city. We believe that
she will bear it honorably both in time
of peace and in time of war. We are
of the opinion that Commander Todd
and those who are subordinate to him
will lay down their lives If necessary
in the defence of this engine OF war
which the Federal Government has
named in our honor and placed in their
keeping, expecting that, no matter
what emergencies may arise, they Will
render an acceptable and creditable ac-
count. OF their trust
We' think it was Lord Beaconnold
who said that ITO preserve peace, be
ready for war" Viewed from this
STANDPOINT the gunboat Wilmington is
Part and parcel of a navy designed to
be so powerful that other nations Will
hesitate to attack it. and its mission is
peaceful one. But should rash coun-
sells prevail in the foreign offices OF
other governments, and a resort tc
arms be made. then this same engine Of
peace would become an engine of wal
and do terrible execution in defence Of
the national honor. Ii is in this latter
light that the warship is viewed
by the popular mind. The average per
son does not stop to consider hoy
much moral and material argument TO
peace there is in a ship Of this charac
ter, but how much execution it can d
in event of actual conflict. Blu
whether in peace or in war, it is ex
pected that the gunboat Wilmington
will uphold the honor OF the flag an
the integrity of the nation.
To-day her mission is one of peac
and goodwill She is here TO receiv
from our men and women a beautifu
silver testimonial of their appreciatio
of the action Of Secretary Of the Nav
Herbert in naming her for our city, an
to receive from the thousands {
school-children a still more valuabl
gift in the nature Of handsome Bibl
which represents the pennies Of tn
little ones who are to be the men an
women Of the future She is here thi
the people may see and more fully con
prehend what an honor is theirs by Il
grace of the national government. The
will inspect her thoroughly. They wi
extend every courtesy and kindness
the officers and crew. They will ente
tain them royalty. When all has bee
done that can be done, and the gu
boat sails away from the city Of h
adoption, the prayers and best wish
Of the populace will follow h
wherever she may go. They will wat
her every movement and wish for
success in every action. Her peoT
will be our people then as they are I
day Their joys will be our joys, al
their griefs our griefs. We believe th
the knowledge that they have tho
sands Of friends and well-wishers he
in cur city who are watching tn
conduct will incite both officers a
crew to deeds Of daring in time of W
and TO a due observance of all the res
lations in force in time of peace.
We congratulate the people of v
migton upon the success which
crowned their efforts to make this
notable event. They have contribu
literally. They have encouraged tn
who have had the actual work of
presentation in hand and brou
about a result most gratifying to
concerned.
We congratulate the various CO
mittees upon the industry and intC
gence they have displayed in consl
mating their plans. The presentat
could not have been more success
and will long be remembered by III
who participated in it.
While we are remembering the ns
heroes Of to-day we must not fol
those of the past who have appe;
to the inherent pride of every ID
warean. We have upon the naval
ords the names of Delawareans who
signal service for the flag in the Il
different wars in which we as a ma
have been engaged. No more fit
time could be chosen TO recall I
names to public recollection.
COmmOdOrp Read won digtincticl