The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-02-20


fection aud good Will This society OF
noble, true and patriotic women, the
Daughters of tho Republic OF Texas.
through Sidney Sherman chapter OF CAL
weston. In loving remembrance OF the deeds
and achievements of their honorod fathers
and mothers and In token of the ostecm OF
and the affection they sustain 10 ~.
splendid war ship and to the name Texas
took pleasure In presenting silver serv-
Ice. aud extending to tho gallant Officers
their best wishes for future welfare and
happiness. In closing Mr., Hawkins said
tho ladies prayed that the alarms OF war
might never again disturb the peace and
tranquility Of the United States. but should
1t prove otherwise. they would say that II
tho officers OF the Texas could manifest
tho same fortitude unllinchng and yalor
unsurpassed as that displayed by the old
Veterans of Texas the crown OF victory
would adorn their noble brnws, fnme ever
lasting would bo their reward and they
would have most honorahly discharged
their duty IN protecting the flag of the
only real Republic that ever existed upon
earth.
when this had bean completed. Captain
Glass, commander of the battloshlp Texas.
was introduced, and his appearance was
received with loud applause. AS he stepped
to the front Of the platform he was greeted
with loud applause and the marines IN
line about tho speakers stand came TO a
"preseut,' Captain Glass said.
Governor Culborson ard Gentlemen OF
the Committee: II is with great pleasure
that. representing the honorable secretary
Of the navy. that | accept this beautiful
gift of the citizens of the state OF Texas
to the first battlcshlp commissioned In our
modern navy. This service, bearing mem
cntocs OF the history aud development of
the great Lone Star State. will b. a con-
staut reminder to us ~ the patriotic In
| tercst taken by Texans in the progress OF
| the naval defence of our country, ana VIII
| keep before us the words Of one who died
galnnty ngh,lug for Texas Independence.
| lie sure you're right. then go ahead.
| certainly most appropriate motto for one
| of the huge monsters that scicncc has
called into being 10 carry on warfare at
sea IN tho present age
SO much has been said in disparasemcpt
Of the battleship Texas, by persons ignor-
| ant or prcjudicod. that you will pardon me
| II at this time cndcnyor briefly to cor
! rect wrong Impressions which some Texans
| may have naturally entertained, The his
| tory OF the purchase of tho original plans
| on which the ship WAS built, ana OF the
| discussions concerning them, IL 50 well
known as TO render unnecessary any words
from me. but the history Of the ship her
| self, since she was put IN commission for
| service in August, 1881, Is most intcrcat-
ing and has been Mt times exciting
The Texas WAS the ilrat hattleship built
In this country and It can not be deuit'
that some mistakes wero made In her con
structiun, from want of experience. hu'
those mistakes have now all been entirely
corrected and she II today, thanks to the
confidence felt by Secretary Herbert In her
n b. 10 dat Ia
leave nothing uniono to bring about that
result one of the soundcst, mos: seaworthy
and efficient vessels Of war under our nag
or any other IN tho world.
She has been called an unlucky ship, aud
a "hoodoo" but the facts OF her history
contradict this most decidedly Whllc " II
true she was injured the first time she wa
taken into dry dock. has been ashore. hh'
sunk In harbor, and has many minor acci'
| dents II is also true that on every occa
sion she has risen superior 10 inlshGps una
would have ruined other ships. ana that II
her ease have led only To improvements
She is a very lucky ship, think. and wher
mlshaps have occurred has always taket
the most fortunate time for unexpected per
forinances, and nm happy to say that NJ
man pr officer has ever been injured IN Inc
| slightest way In the performance OF duty
although they are called upon hourly tt
handle and control the powerful guns nnt
heavy, complicated machinery with whict
she is equipped.
In n hurricane off the Virginia coast IT
October last. tho Texas. one Of Il squadron
composed OF some OF the finest ships w
have in our service, showed herself 10 be 4
marvel of stcadincss and Hoaworthineas.
! and could at any moment have used every
| gun OF her battery with perfect efiec
against an enemy. and It was said by Of
ficers OF the highest professional standpr
! L.. All oh RuuG
every other vessel present. She possessoi
IN u marked degree the essential qualities
| in a modern fighting ship. OF readiness II
| manouycring and high speed, in the latter
quality being superior to any war vosse
that know of. except those OF the cruiser
| class and few OF the cruisers excel her
| Her record of nearly nineteen knots on hei
trial trlp was made when her machincr,
| was not in good condition. and that Kpeef
! can now be considerably exceeded at any
time II necessary. The run just made from
New York TO this port Ii a wonderful ox'
ample Of speed and endurance at sea, th'
speed being at an average Of twelve anf
half knots the entire distance. ana al
the end of the passage she would have beer
| in perfect readiness to engage In battle.
doubt II this performance has been or could
be ednallcd by any battleship afloa.
The powerful battery Of the Texas ant
the great amount Of heavy armor she car
| rics make her II formidable opponent ,ol
any ship now afloat. II may seem that
rate too highly the qualities OF the ship
command but ! am giving simple facts
established by every test except that OF bat
tie. and In that test. when II comes, sb
will not fail TO sustain tho honor OF he
flag think. sir. that we may claim tn
batilcship Texas to be In every way
worthy representative OF the proud stat
whose name she bears.
To the Daughters of the Republic o
Texas | tender the thanks OF the officer
and men OF the ship for their valuable do
nation which I now accept Works giyini
tho history of Texas. so filled with berol
deeds in her early settlement and strugrl
for independence. will be most interesting
and valuable 10 men OF our profession
while the portraits OF Austin well calle'
the Father of Texas" and of tho hero o
San Jaeinto will incite admiration for thos
rreat men and the resolve should FORUM
rive us the opportunity. TO emulate thel
devotion TO duty and achievements In de
Tense Of flag and country
This closed the exercises. and line q
marines was drawn around tho present
and the assembled throng invited 10 pas