Evening journal., 1897-11-24

Commander Jones, with the Wasp, cap
tured the British sloop Frolic, which
was superior in size and force. and the
victory of that day gave to the cause
of this country a prestige because 1t
was the first naval contest in the war OF
1912, and it was an American victory.
Let us think of the memories of
Lieutenant William S. Bush, of this
city, the only officer who fell on the
Constitution when she captured the
Guerrierre. Who gave his life's blood
to his country. In honor of that great
and important victory Congress gave
to his heirs what is known as the Con-
stitution and Guerrierre medal
Let us take next the name Of Rear
Admiral Samuel Francis DUPONT zap
plause), that able seaman, that noble
hearted man. whose statue properly
adorns the capital city of the nation.
Shall l speak of Captain Thomas
Geddes, grandfather of our re-
spected and venerable townsman, Henry
Geddes Banning, who was a poet-cap-
tain in our navy. May | recite the
name of Admiral John p. Hilles, of
Thomas Brand, at Vera Cruz, and may
not speak of my own knsman and
playmate, Charles Carroll Bayard, who
met death upon the volcano of Vesu-
vius?
There may yet be found means of
placing in your cabin and mess-roam
on the good ship Wilmington some pic
/ lures not unworthy af these men who
have added lustre to your profession
and shed honor upon the state of which
they were citizens. Were | to name all
sons of Delaware who have taken part
in the naval affairs of our country, the
list would be long, but there is not time
for me to give you more. But remem-
Der to perform with the same zeal the
duties assigned to you.
"In asking your acceptance Of these
! memorials l suggest that in carrying
them abroad wherever you may 60 the
propriety of using them frequently for
occasions of hospitality (Applause and
laughter), and seeing that they are rem
dered empty. (Laughter) And when,
amidst your guests in foreign lands
when giving that hospitality for which
our navy is renowned, will you not
pause to think of the city and of the
people of every man, woman and
child of the city of Wilmington, and
wish them the same happiness and wei.
fare and affectionate regard which they
feel for you? We connect ourselve.
with your efforts to maintain th'
honor and welfare Of our country il
every part of the world.
Sailors are said to have no settle'
home, or to be so changed about tha
I they never establish those footed feel
! ings of residence that are allowed 81
many of us, but we feel assured tha
the name Of Wilmington borne by you
ship will never fail to awaken re
sponsive echo in the stree $ Of the tow
for which your ship was named. Com
into our homes whenever you may
' come, and not only you, but also thos
who are to succeed you in charge c
= heWilmington. Pronounce thename {
= | Wilmington, say you are officers @
| men OF that ship, and be assured tina
u a welcome will be readily rendered yoi
> and that there is not a house in Tia
e place in which you will not be welcom
>. guests.
4 Il remember a year or so ago ! wa
= present when the ceremony Of grantin
Il the freedom of a city was given. Ii wa
a Scottish city and the freedom of th
= city was granted a distinguished Bri
= ish soldier. The keys of the city wei
- presented to him in a jeweled caske
He was describing the value OF hon
ties. and he said that after there ha
= been an engagement. after there ha
- been trouble in which he and his fe
lows had taken part, that the though
a in the heart of every man away fro
~ home was: What will they think Of I
at home? Their minds travel back
the scenes of childhood, to the de'
10 ones and friends they had left behiT
=, them, and, forgetting present DANCE
p thinking of no future reward, Il
" thought was: What will they think
4, us at home?
~ "I hope the officers and men Of Il
~ good ship Wilmington, wherever thu
- may go and whatever service they mi
be embarked upon, will cast thoug
~. back to the community after which &
81 ship is named and ask What will tn
aa's think of us in Wilmington Our war
~ kind. sympathetic wishes; yes, gent
liss men-Our prayers-will be for 70
~ success, and your safety, and th
should you. by the providence Of GC
~, be Obliged to enter into contests for
- right and for your country's honor a
ne safety that victory may be with "
III and that when you shall have gain
Eo the victory you will fill this bowl a
p all join in the toast Of Victory ever
where to the arms Of the Unit
@ -, States!'
gu "To the officers, to the entire shi
ny company I say. take this as the gift
3igs the people Of Wilmington, and with
Ilu take their warm hopes for your saf'
III and success in all Of your honora
Vi undertakings" (Applause)
ere COMMANDER TODD's ACCEF
ANCE.
I'VE To this Commander Tcdd replied:
no "On behalf CT the Navy Depar,me
ION and on Behalf c. the officers and CT
10 cf The gccd snip Wilmington ! acc
10 at your hands this magnificent g
zen Mr. Bayard has just said that he v
lld messed the giving of the freedom o
OF city TO an officer. The reception
mo such an honor, which was. Of coui
lot upon parchment, in a golded and jea
MS ed box is a great thing to many peol
ept but recognizing as we do here JO-'
an that we have the freedom Of The {
the through the goodness of your citize
eu. ours is Of greater value from this {
IL than jeweied box ever conferred.
ina "When the government bQgau