Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-20
IOWA IN THE WAR.
Chief Clerk Michaers Remarks q,
the Presentation at NewDOrt

Chfcf Clerk MichReHs Remarks on
the Presentation at Newport.
The people of Iowa have donated an ele-
CANT silver service to the United States
ship lowa-the biggest battlcship in the
Havy-and the presentation took place on
board that vessel at Newport Yesterday in
the presence of Governor Drake and other
distinguished officials of the hawkeye state
The orator of the occasion was Mr.
Michael, chief clerk of the State Depart-
ment. who served valiantly in the navy
during the war.
Mr.. Michael said, in part:
This vessel of magnificent and beautiful
proportions stands for country So does
the state whose honored came she bears
rms vessel stands for the rights of the
humblest citizen of the United States wher-
ever he may be, on land or sea. So does
the state for which she is named This
vessel stands for every ,iud-given star
IN The precious flag that floats over her
So has the state for which she Is named
poured out the blood of her best sons to
prevent the loss of a single star from its
told The difference between the battle
snip Iowa and the state of Iowa is that
the latter has been tried and the other has
! OF The one has been tested in the crit
ical ordeal of battle for all the principles
and all the sentiment implied in the words
national liberty, human rights and ma
tlonal union, and the other has not Yet
l venture the prediction that when the
grand battleship Iowa shall be thus tried
like the state for which she is named she
VIII prove herself equal to every demand
made upon her. For one. | sincerely hone
That in such an event il may so happen
that some son of Iowa shall command her
and that other sons of Iowa in line and
star, small link their Intelligence and cour-
age to the end of giving the vessel a proud
place in history alongside of the state
whose proud name she bears
lnls donation of silver to the battle
snip Iowa is not the first contribution the
state has made to the navy Years ago
when Iowa was but an infant-When she
represented the western border line of
clFlliZation-When, in fact she was com
paTatiVelv unknown as a state. and wholly
unknown as maritime or naval Deopla-
She made a contribution to the United
states navy of more value and consequence
than sterling silver. She gave of her gold
ana silver freely, it is true. and without
exacting bond from the national govern
ment that incipient treason might he
smothered to death. She did more than
that. She contributed her full quota to the
personnel or the navy; and from 1861 to
1909 her sons manned and directed guns
and prows in every squadron save one
II may be matter of some surprise
TO many OF you that Iowa an inland State
removed from the sea, and without any
special incentive to naval life should have
furnished to the navy and marine corns
during the war thirteen commissioned Off
GERS IN the regular service, thirty-eight
volunteer officers. ranking from masters
mates to lieutenants and over 200 enlisted
men. Iowa naval officers and men served
On vessels IN every squadron, save one
during the bloody struggle of the Jninn
4 aier sois helped to blockade more than
5,ooo miles Of coast line, performed duty in
the Pacific, and were in every naval en-
sasement from Cincinnati to the Gulf of
MeNlco. Iowa naval officers rendered SER
we u the same time on thirty-seven ves-
sells IN the Mississippi squadron. under that
matchless officer. Admiral Porter; and the
RECORDS attest the truthfulness of the state
nent That they won their full share of the
iua py their patriotism, efficiency and
bravery Fourteen of the thirty-eight
volunteer officers from Iowa were promot
eu once, ana three of the number twice
ihree attained to the highest rank possible
III |oiuii,eers: Two were promoted for gal
iant conduct in action and five received
recognition for meritorious services In
view or the fact that promotions We're hard
70 WIN Dy volunteers in the navy, and the
Iaet .iat Hios1 iowa naval officers had had
10 previous experience in the navy or on
the water, the showing must be conceded
10 ne most creditable and honorable No
adequate tribute has yet been paid to the
aoo,,S Ioiunteer ofilcers Of the navy. They
occupied every position of responsibility.
however In the line and staff, and ii NAV
De SAID without prejudice that much of the
sleat work done by the navy on inland
,,'Se, uui ing the war was accomplished
under the direction and by the herolsm of
tne volunteers. In this glory Iowa has a
right to share: and her sons who served
.neir country on the water are entitled 10
be mentioned at the same time ond n;aco
with their army comrades. Together the
sailors and soldiers won the victories that
gave us an undivided Union. and a flag
t .hat noats over the land of the, brave and
cemented in eternal love, and that the
other may become the beautiful emblem of
the whole work" :.