The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-25


| river 1t seemed as If bedlam had broken
| loose. Cheer after cheer went up from
| the crowd and the shrill whistles Of the
steamers in the harbor welcomed the new
naval champion 20 its natural element
The cruiser Brooklyn and monitor Pur-
| itan. which were lying out in the stream
were the representatives of the navy
present.
THEN TO THE KENTUCKY.
The christening party then proceeded
to the bow of the Kentucky, which yes
| sci was launched ct IS a. m. This cere-
| mony was an exact counterpart of the
former, except that when the critical mo-
| ment arrived Miss Christine Bradley broke
a cut glass bottle OF water from the spring
on the old Lincoln farm, and said, II
christen thee Kentucky
TRUE KENTUCKIANS
Then. as the vessel started down the
ways, several bottles of old bourbon
whisky yere hurled against her sides by
Kentuckians who were opposed TO the
water christening. Water from the spring
on the Jefferson Davis farm in Kentucky
was also smashed on the vessels sides.
Both launchings were successful in every
particular.
THE BANQUET.
The invited guests and distinguished
visitors then boarded the steamer New
port News and proceeded to Old Point,
where the shipyard officials rendered a
magnificent banquet. Covers were laid
for six hundred persons. It was entirely
informal. Among the toasts responded
to were Kentucky" by Governor Brad
ley, and Virginia" by Governor Tyler.
BRADLEY'S RESPONSE.
Governor Bradley said:
(which Kentucky? Is It the Kentucky
whose people with one acclaim return
thanks to the distinguished secretary of
the navy for the splendid compliment paid
them today. and to the builders of the
ship for their kind and generous courtesy
and hospitality?
''Is it the Kentucky whose name is writ
ten indelibly upon every chapter of the
nations history. since her admission into
the sisterhood of states?
us 1t the Kentucky whose brave, bold
pioneers rescued a wilderness from the
savage and babe it blossom as the rose?
rs it the Kentucky. the eloquence Of
whose Clay. Crittenden. Marshall and
Breckenridge shook the halls Of congress
and stirred the hearts of the people on
the hustings?
"Is it the Kentucky OF waving blue
grass. of crystal stream, blended noun
tain top and sky, of chivalrous men and
beautiful women?
SIS It the Kentucky whose gallant SOL
diers have ever been found in the fore
front of battle, whose seamen have won
fame upon the ocean and christened hea-
then lands with their precious blood?
SIS It the Kentucky whose generous
people sympathizes with the oppressed
and down-trodden of every land and who
earnestly desire that the nation shall in
tervene to prevent further atrocities up
on the suffering people of Cuba; and, If
the investigation should justify, 20
avenge the death of our sailors, not by
demanding an indemnity in money, but an
indemnity in blood"
'Of this Kentucky I cannot fittingly
speak in the short time allotted. But it
is the other Kentucky that calls for
speech and poetry and song. that Ken
lucky which today gave its f1grst kiss to
the sea-
There is no better ship; there could be
no better name.
when, fully manned and equipped. she
starts on her mission we will all ex-
claim: God bless Kentucky on the land
God speed and protect Kentucky on the
scar
mo ship has ever been chrfstened as it !
has been. Not according to the custom |
Of pirate vikings clad with the skins of |
wild beasts, but with sparkling water |
from the spring which quenched the in
FAINT thirst of him who gave freedom to a |
race and saved our country from de-
struction.
And when the great ship majestically |
moves to the glorious destiny which is |
In store for it, it will be sanctifed by the |
prayers of more Christian women than |
all others that have ever moved on the |
face Of the waters.
Whether under calm and cloudless |
skies. or struggling with tempest and |
wave, whether in peace or war, there |
SIIdII HONeT over IT, IOt the spirit OF al /
cohol. which has Destroyed so many 1
lives, desolated so many homes, and |
cased the shedding of so much blood and |
so many tears: but the spirit of Ken |
tucky's noblest son, the grandest man in !
all the tide of time, symbolized by Gods |
gift to han, that which causes the earth |
WELD its fruits and harvest. which cleans
IS and purihes. which quenches the thirst |
Of thhe living and relieves the parched /
lips OF the wounded and dying.
Purity and patriotism have today been
blended IN the christening Of ships. which
predict will win more fame. gather
more laurels and accomplish more good
han any that has ever swept the seas.
And in parting with the majestic yes
;el Kentuckians with one voice eIclaim:
In spite OF rock and tempest roar.
IN spite Of false lights on the shore,
Ill on. nor fear TO breast the sea;
Dur hearts. our hopes. are all with thee
Dur hearts, our hopes. our prayers, our
tears,
Dur faith triumphant DER our fears;
Are all with thee-are all with thee"
DESCRIPTION OF THE TWINS
Yankee Ingenuity Lishtens the ship