Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-11-25
GIFTS FOR THE GUNBOAT
CONTINUED from NTH pare.i

by your leave, Mr.. Mayor, Capt Todd,
officers and men OF the United States ship
Wilmington
The pleasant duty has been assigned to
me. which have most cheerfully accepted.
of asking your acceptance Of memorial Of
the entire community in which you now
are welcome guests, which memorial is in
tended to typify the two virtues of patriot
ism and hospitality. [Appla,isel.
Gentlemen, it is happy thought in
any country, and perhaps more so in
our own broad family of republics, that
we should give an interest locally as
well as nationally to everything that
pertains to our common possession Of
prosperity and honor. 1t is a wise thing
that the ships that are to carry the flag OF
the nation and be backed by the heart of
the nation should bear the names of tho
several localities in the naton-to call ships
By the names of the States, for you mayire-
member that no ships were better known
or more beloved than those that bore the
names of the Ii original States. ! hope the
day is not far distant when there shall he a
tirst-elass national ship bearing the name of
each and every member of the Union, from
the youngest back to the oldest.
What can be better than to give to those
centres of industry-fur, il is the pride and
happiness of our country that we are a
working people--l say, what is better, there
fore, than to give to those centres of indus
names, of the ships that represent the honor
and safety Of the entire nation.
Into this catalogue of honorable names
comes at last that of the city in which we
now stand. And be assured that you are
here in Delaware and in Wilmington in the
atmosphere of men who have never qnes-
toned their duty when the honor or the
safety of the country required it. APP
plause We have here, sir, traditions
which ought never to be impaired or forgot
ten. We are here to ask you to allow me-
perhaps at some little length. to repeat to
you what are The ties that connect the people
of Wilmington with the honor and welfare
of the navy of tho United States. They were
not born yesterday. From the foundation
Of the republic until the present. this com
1nuniiy has added its full and fair contribu-
ton of true and brave men TO the country's
service Applause
When these EN- blems of hospitality to you
shall pass as they do to-day, into your GUS
tody, when you carry them upon the high
seas to the very uttermost bounds of the
earth, | pray You to remember the spirit
that should be present with us. and remem-
her the traditions of the State and of tina
city whose good reputation more than ever
is charged upon you,
From the list of those who have tvpified
the feeling of this State towards the national
reputation and our national navy, recall a
few. 1t is not invidluus to select them, be-
cause tneSe lneni VINO we're bruc nlell, III
honor preferred one another
May remind you of Commodore Thomas
Marlborough Iapplausel, who upon Lake
Ghamplain met fleet superior to his own
in numhers-more guns, more men, more oil
everything, except one, and that Is better
than all-the courage to sustain the cause IN
which they were embarked! IApplalse.l
The victory Of Commodore Marlborough
not only illustrated his seamanship and
courage and that of the men who fought
under him, but it assisted to illustrate that
which was illustrated by a man of our day
who was referred TO by Senator Gray--Capt
Mahan.It typified the force OF the sea power
upon operations on shore For not only die
Macdonongh defeat the vessels that Were
ahoat and in contest with him, but hi!
victory changed most important lant
movement that might have overwhelmet
the scanty forces. which were all the Ameri
cans could summon at That time, for is, 0Oi
of the Canadian and British troops wer,
putting us in peril of capturing or dispensing
the 800 Americans who awaited their on
set. And the victory of Electromagnetic,
Delaware Northumberland tho Ameri
can army and brought great honor to thu
entire country. Applause..
When shall we, or when can we, or car
any American sailor forget the name o
Commodore Jacob Jones Iapplausel natiy
of our own country here and born nea
Smyrna
Commodore Jones of the Wash captured
the British sloop Frolic.-slightly his superior
in size and force-and the victory of tina
day gave to the cause of this country
prestige, because it was the first naval con
fiict in the war of 1912, and it was al
American victory. tAppause.l
Let us think of the memory of Lieut.
William S. Bush of this city Iapplausel th
when she captured the Guerriere. He scale,
his fate to his country with his life's blood
and to his heirs the medal struck in homo
of that great and important yictory--a cop
of Hul's medal, as it was called, or tn
medal of the Constitution and Guerrero
was awarded by an act of Congress.
Shall ] speak next OF Rear Admira
Samuel +. du Pont Applause THAT accom-
plished gentleman and seaman, that whole
hearted patriot, whose statue properl,
adorns the capital city OF the nation
Shall speak Of Capt. Henry Geddis. tn
grandfather of our respected and venerabl
townsman, Henry Gcddis Banning far
plausel, who was past captain in on
navy?
May recall the name of Admiral job
p. Gillis [applausel; of Thomas b. Shubert
ut Vera Cruz, as most magnificent seaman
and may not speak also of my kinsmal
and playmate, Charles Carroll Bayard lar
plause]. who met an uptitnely death upo
the volcano OF NeSuplus?
| only wish, Capt. Todd and gentlemen
that there might be some means-as ther
may be-of placing i'll your cabin or mess
room of the good ship Wilmington som
pictures not unworthy of these men VIII
have added lustre to your profession an
have shed honor upon the State of Whic
they were citizens. Applause
But, gentlemen, the list would be long
nor is there time for me to do more than t
crave to perform the proper duty assigne
to me and to ask your acceptance of thes
memorials, and that you should carry ther
abroad wherever you may go, using thel
frequently for occasions of patriotic servic
laughter and applausel filling them to til
h-im Tapplausel, and as diligently seein
that they are rendered empty. Applause
And when amidst your guests in foreig
lands. when representing the navy and this
hospitality for which our navy is so notice
will you not pause to think of the city an
child OF the city of Wilmington, and wis
them the same happiness, welfare and al
fectionate regard which they feel for you
Applause.
am very sure that throughout this Stat
throughout this community, but one fee
ing goes forth with you. We feel that "
connect ourselves with your efforts to mari
tain the honor and the welfare of our coul
try, in every part of the world.
Sailors are said to have no settled honl
or to be so changed about that they nevt
establish those rooted feelings of residenc
that are allowed to many Of us. But be u
slired that the name Of Wilmington o
hoard your ship will never fail to awaken
responsive echo in the streets Of the tow
after whom your ship is named lapplanse,
and that when you come among us or CON
into our homes, whenever you may com
land not only YOU but also those who are
succeed you in this charge and trust) pr
naufce the name of Wilmington saw thu