Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-02-27
THE OLD CONSTITUTION.
TO Be Forever Kept as National
Naval Museum.
Commodore Farragut's Flagship. the
Hartford, Is Also to BE Permanently
Maintained - Relic of the
KearsarEe.
Especial washington Letter /

"There is nothing IN all my work of
which l am more proud said the sec
retary 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. 1t was very
difficult TO secure an appropriation, but,
by constant urging, it was accom-
ulished. And now Commodore Farra-
CUTS flagship will be permanently
maintained in the navy.
DO you know that relic of heroisn
fncites 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 am
hilton to do as well for their country
as did the heroes who trod her decks
and 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 n stimulated am
bition to fight as he fought, if ever in
command of a battle ship in time of
war.
''Yes. 1 am glad that the Hartford is
preserved; but / am not satisfied with
the progress made towards restora-
tion and reclamation of the Constitu-
tion. That splendid relic of American
prowess should be preserved. AL
though | have constantly asked con-
gress to make appropriation for that
purpose, have failed to receive a 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 q 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. MIR. Fitzgerald made t
speech in the house of representatives
He said:
"In connection with the resolution
present petition of the Massachu
setts Historical society that congress
may take some action in regard to tn,
preservation of the frigate Constitu
tion, which now lies a the Portsmouth
navy yard, and is in such condition
as to be in danger of sinking ut an,
time.
''As every member of this hous'
knows, there is no vessel in the Amer
lean navy that possesses the histor,
aud the record that the Constitution
possesses. 1t is my proud privilege &
represent in congress the district il
which is located the wharf where thi
famous cid frigate was built an
launched. In grateful memory of he
uutarnished record it has been calle
Constitution wharf. AS a boy l hav
the pleasantest recollections of tn
happy days spent at the wharf wher
the Constitution was built over cen
tury ago, aud when l stand here pleaC
ing for the preservation of Old Iron
sides my deepest symFathies ar
moved. The achievements of the heroi
sons of Massachusetts with her nav
produced within my breast, as the
must within the breast of every Amer
lean citizen, feelings of deepest revel
ence for the historic ship.
why should it be necessary to ca
the attention of the government to il
duty with regard to the preservatio