The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-02-25
THE OLD CONSTITUTION.
To Be Forever Kept as a National
Naval Museum
Commodore Farragut's Flagship. the
Hartford, Is Also to BE Permanently
Maintained = Relic of the
Kearsarge.
Especial washington Letter.l

"There is nothing In all my work OF
which am more proud" said the sec
retaiy of the navy the other morning,
than the accomplishment of the re-
clamation of the old battleship Hart
ford. Congress is often very prodigal
in allowing large appropriations for
claims, but congress is not primarily
patriotic or sentimental. It was very
difficult to secure an appropriation, but,
by constant urging, it was accom-
plished. And now Commodore Farra-
CUTS flagship will be permanently
maintained in the navy.
"Do you know that relic of heroism
incites patriotism? The young men
who see the Hartford IN future years,
and who read her splendid naval career,
will be stimulated to honor the flag
which floats over her, and have an ami
bition to do as well for their country
as did the heroes who trod her decks
ard served her guns. They will read of
the old commodore lashed to the mast
and handling his fleet in the smoke
and carnage of battle; and particular
ly our young midshipmen will have be-
fore them constantly the memory of
the commodore, with a stimulated am
bition to fight as he fought, if ever in
command Of battle ship in time Of
war.
Eyes, 1 am glad that the Hartford IL
preserved; but | am not satisfied with
the progress made towards a restora-
tion and reclamation of the Constitu-
ton. That splendid relic of American
prowess should be preserved. AL
though l have constantly asked con-
gress to make appropriation for that
purpose, have failed to receive dol
lar, up to date"
Secretary Herbert is not alone in his
desire to have the Constitution re-
/ paired. Congressman Fitzgerald, of
Massachusetts, has secured the adop-
tion of a resolution calling upon The
secretary Of the navy for an estimate
of the amount of money which will be
necessary to move the Constitution
from Portsmouth to the Washington
navy yard, where it is contemplated
that the ship shall be forever kept as
naval museum. In support of his
resolution, Mr.. Fitzgerald made n
speech in the house of representatives.
| He said:
"In connection with the resolution
present a petition Of the Massachu-
sctts Historical society that congress
may take some action in regard to the
preservation of the frigate Constitu-
ton, which now lies at the Portsmouth
navy yard, and Is in such a condition
as to be in danger of sinking at any
| time.
"As every member of this house
knows, there is no vessel in the Amer
lean navy that possesses the history
and the record that the Constitution
possesses. 1t is my proud privilege &c
represent in congress the district in
which is located the wharf where this
famous old frigate was built and
launched. In grateful memory of her
untarnished record it has been called
Constitution wharf. AS boy have
the pleasantest recollections of the
happy days spent at the wharf where
the Constitution was built over a cen
tury ago, and when stand here plead
ing for the preservation of Old Iron
sides my deepest sympathies are
moved. The achievements of the heroic
sons of Massachusetts, with her have
produced within my breast, as they
must within the breast of every Amer
lean citizen, feelings of deepest rever
ence for the historic ship.
"Why should it be necessary to cal
the attention of the government to it,
duty with regard to the preservation
of the Constitution, whise great vic
tory in the naval engagement with thu
Guerriere in the dark days of the war o