Smyrna times., 1897-12-01

men, who were true men, in honor pre-
ferred one another.
May l remind you of Comodore
Thomas MacdonOugh [applause], who
upon Lake Champlain met feet superb
or to his own in numbers-more guns,
more men, more of everything, except
one, and that is better than all-the
courage to sustain the cause in which
they were embarked
The victory of Commodore Macdon-
ough not only illustrated his seaman
ship and courage and that of the men
who fought under him, but assisted to
illustrate that which was illustrated by
man of our day, who was referred to
by Senator Gray-Capt. Mahan. 1t
typifed the force for the sea power
upon operations on shore. For not on
ly did Macdonough defeat the vessels
that were afOat and in contest with
him, but his victory changed a most
important land movement that might
have overwhelmed the scanty forces,
which were all the Americans could
summon at that time, for $4,000 of the
Canadian and British troops were put
ting us in peril of capturing or dispers-
ing the 800 Americans who awaited
their onset. And the victory of Mac
dOnough-the Delaware MacdOnOugh
saved the American army and brought
great honor to the entire country.
When shall we, or when can we, or
can any American sailor forget the
name of Commodore Jacob Jones ap-
plausel, a native of our own country
here and born near Smyrna?
Commodore Jones of the Wasp cap
tured the British sloOp Frolic-slig
ly his superior in size and fOrce-and
the victory Of that day gave to the
cause of this country a prestige, be-
cause it was the first naval conflict in
the war of 1911, and it was an Ameri-
can victory.
Let us think of the memory of Lieu.
William S. Bush, of Wilmington, the
only officer who fell on the Constitu-
ton when she captured the Guerriere.
He sealed his fate to his country with
his life's blood, and to his heirs the
medal struak in honor of that great and
important victOry-a copy of Hulls
medal, as it was called, or the medal of
the Constitution and Guerriere-was
awarded by an act of Congress.
Shall 1 speak next of Rear Admiral
Samnel F. du Pont, that accomplished
gentleman and seaman, that whole
hearted patriot, whose statue properly
adOrns the capital city of the nation?
Shall | speak of Capt. Henry Ged-
des, the grandfather of our respected
and venerable tOwnsman. Henry Ged-
des Banning who was past captain in
our navy?
May / recall the name of Admiral
John p. Gillis; of Thomas r. Shub-
vi b, goo1oI ,r1AI, l. I,I.,l1
the victory at Vera Cruz, as most
magnificent seaman; and | may not
speak also of my kinsman and play
mate, Charles Carroll Bayard. who met
an untimely death upon the volcano of
Vesuvius?
only wish, Capt. Todd and gentle
men, that there might be some means
as there may be-Of placing in your
cabin or mess-rOom of the good ship
Wilmington some pictures not unwor-
thy Of these men who have added lus-
tire to your profession and have shed
honor upon the State of which they
were citizens.
Capt. Todd of the Gunboat Whining
ton accepted the gifts in a neat and
complimentary speech. He regards
our war preparations as peace meas
ures, and said:
Some of the speakers that have ad-
dressed you have been retrospective; l
do not wish to be. l would like to
speak to the present.
We, of the navy, are sometimes re-
minded by our good friends, the Chris
tian Endeavors and other kindred So
cieties, coming on board of our ships,
that we are engaged in a dreadful bus
mess, that of being ready to destroy
our fellow men. We think our good
friends misapprehend the case entirely.
We are not for that purpose that / have
referred to. On the contrary, our po-
sition is to work for peace peace for
our country security at home, respect
abroad. [Applause]. I believe the
great American people are for peace
l believe that they will sacrifice every
thing, save honor, to maintain it.
But in the last25 years we have made
such tremendous strides that to-day
America stands in the forefront of the
nations of the earth, and, standing
there, certain duties become cOnse-
quent-duties national, duties lnterna-
tiCnal-and as such she must fulfill
these duties; she cannot evade them.
To fulfill these duties, it is necessary
to have a naval power.
Moral suasion is a very good thing.
Arbitration may be a good thing, but
when the pinch comes it is the frown-
ing muzzle of the modern gun that de-
faauar TWar