The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-22
FRIGATE CONSTITUTION
GOLD IRONSIDES" LAUNCHED 100
YEARS AGO YESTERDAY.
Celebration at Boston
Addresses by Gov. WOIcOtt, Theodore
Roosevelt and Senator Lodge.

BOSTON Oct. 21.-One hundred years
ago "Old Ironsides " the United States
frigate Constitution was launched. and the
centennial anniversary of tlat event was
appropriately celebrated here to-day. Rain
fell through out the forenoon, giving a be-
draggled appearance to the decorate in
honor of the occasion. Long before the
hour assigned fer the exercises to begin the
historic old Sotth C,hu.th h was filled to It's
utmost capacity Among those present were
many Daughters of the American Revolu-
ton, whose organization had a prominent
part in bringing about the celebration;
members of the state militia resident
United Sta-es government officials and rep
resentatives Of fore ig countries, mayors of
New England Cities members of Congress,
of the Legislature and the Governors
Council. and the officers of the North At
lantic squadron. Governor Wolcott acted
as presiding officer and delivered the open
ing address referring in eulogistic terms to
the vessel in honor of which the anniversary
was held and the patriotism which marked
her history
Governor Wolcott introduced Theodore
Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the navy,
who spoke as follows The moment of
the Constitutions launching was the be-
ginning of our navy as we know 1t to-day.
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 fifteen years there
were many people who objected to the
maintenance of navy. 1t was because
we had the Constitution and her sister ships
that we came out of the war with credit,
and 1t is due to a policy contrary to that
which prompted the introduction of such
vessels that in recent years brought us to
danger of the gravest national dishonor."
At this point Major William III. Garland,
of Boston, who was a powder boy on board
the Constitution in her famous battle with
the Guerriere, was presented to the audi
ence, and Governor Wolcott himself led in
three cheers for the veteran, Mayor
address. Prof. j. w. Churchill, of Andover,
read oliver Wendell Holiness poem "Old
Ironsdes." Then Major Garland addressed
The historic address of the day was de-
livered by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.
tory and victories of the glorious old ship.
he spoke particularly of the way in which
our small but well-equipped navy Of that
day more than retrieved on the water the
reverses which a tardy administration and
a halting foreign policy had invited on the
land. He said England and Europe re-
ceived valuable instructions from the war
of which this battered old ship is the sign
and symbol, but we Americans were taught
a great deal more. We had learned that
weak defenseleSsneSS meant war, and
strong armed readiness meant peace, hon.
or and quiet. 1t is well to note that the
lesson of wise preparation, taught by the
war of 1872 and always worth remember
ing, is even more important now than then,
for to-day wars are fought in a few
months, while 1t takes years to build mod
ern ships and cast rified guns. Weakness
and fear and defenselessness mean war and
dshonor. Readiness, preparation and cour-
age mean honor and peace. Where we were
unprepared in 1912 we suffered; where we
were prepared we prospered and vindicated
our national existence"
In the naval parade the marines and sail
ors from the vessels of the North Atlantic
squadron in port, comprising the Massa-
chusetts, New York, Texas, Indiana and
Brooklyn were in line, accompanied by the
Massachusetts, Naval Brigade, Kearsarge
Naval Veteran Association and survivors
of the Eighth Massachusetts Volunteers.
The parade was under the direction OF
Brigade General Kearler, inspector general
of Massachusetts,, chief marshal. 1t started
from the foot Of State street at o'clock.
on reaching Constitution wharf n passing
salute was fired. At the Charlestown navy
yard Governor Wolcott with his staff and
Invited guests, boarded THE famous old
frigate, where a public reception was held.
The war vessels and training ships in the
harbor were bedecked with bunting, and to-
night the Massachusetts, and New York
were illuminated.