Evening star., 1898-12-29

eN> oNhi Va thS SSSdA-
Sad Event Announced.
President Gallaudet called attention to
an event of very sad nature affecting the
society. This was the death the 10th in
slant, at Concord, of Edwin s. Barrett,
national president general of the National
Society of the Sons of the American Revo-
luton. General J. c. Breckenridge, vice
president OF the national society, who is
also member of the board of manage
ment of the District society, was called
on TO speak of the late president general.
General Breckenridge said that II might
seem ike marring feast to speak Of death
at such a gathering, but humane as well
as fraternai feelings made IL proper to re-
fer TO the deceased president general many
of those present having known him per
sonally and enjoyed his hospitality. Gen,
Breckinridge offered a set of resolutions in
tribute to the president general, and they
were unanimously adopted.
Gallant Seaman of Fine Stature.
1T is no reflection on our army TO say
that we are proud of our navy" said Presi-
dent Gallaudet in introducing Commander
Bradford, who was spoken of on the SOU
venir card as "a gallant seaman OF fine
stature. who has earned great fame by fol-
lowing that injunction of We immortal
Washington" Commander Bradford re-
sponded TO the toast. In ye Tyne of
Peace Prepare for War" He spoke extem-
poraneously, holding the close attention of
his hearers. some of his statements being
of decided interest. He expressed his
pleasure at the privilege of being present.
and added that. being by descent son of
the revolution, he had the greatest SYM
pathy with the motives of the society.
we must prepare for war in time OF
peace, declared Commander Bradford.
our recent war with Spain was foreseen.
l. for one believed it must be. In 1896,
when / was in command of the L. S s.
V. 4 re We
required so much target practice that the
younger officers thought the old man had
gone daft. AT the end Of nine months
practice, with the ship steaming at the
rate of ten knots, could hit cone ten
feet high with a base of ten feet at a dis
tance of a mile. That was the kind of
practice that told at Manila and at San
uago. A year ago, much against my
wishes, / was called to the head of a bu-
reau at the Navy Department"
Commander Bradford went on to say the
reason that the Navy Department was so
well prepared for the recent war was due
to the training of the naval officer. He is
always in danger when at sea, and begins
early to think of what should be done in
case of accident Such thinking tells. Ac
cording to Commander Bradford, all think
ing officers believed the war was inevita-
BILE. When the order to capture destroy
the Spanish feet at Santiago was sent over
the wire our vessels al Key West hastened
away like eager hounds. The speaker de-
clared Secretary Long to be one of the best
business men he had ever met; genial
man, in whom all had the utmost conf
dence The best of feeling prevailed
throughout the Navy Department, said
Commander Bradford. at the outbreak Of
the war; red tape was cut and regulations
were thrown aside. Much of the success
of the department the speaker attributed to
the good feeling which prevailed, and
which was due to the tact of Secretary
Long
Compliments Roosevelt.
nd in he biph-
est terms of Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt. His only difficulty was that he
couldn't get into the fight soon enough.
Il called to see Mr.. Roosevelt one day.,
said Commander Bradford, land found him
very impatient. / admonished him to be
calm, and suggested that We get good and
ready and then play for big game. He
asked me regarding the nature of the game,
and / made answer that l had in mind TWO
big islands in the West Indies and one or
two coaling stations in the Pacific. think
we've got the game.
Commander Bradford went on to say that
during the war one of his duties was to
supply the fleets with coal He had learned
one thing thoroughly, he said, 1ocularly,
and that was that the particular coal pro-
duced in each of twenty-nine of the states
in the Union, was the very best steaming
coal there was to be found in the United
States. Commander Bradford spoke of the
cooperation of the navy with the army,
saying it was the desire of the navy TO aid
the army in every way possible. The first
three army expeditions to Manila We're sup
piled with navy coal at Honolulu, he said,
and the navy lighters sent to Shafter at
Santiago from Key West got there while
those sent by the army were lost
Lessons of the War.
II want to speak of few lessons taught
by the war" said Commander Bradford.
Beware of the unframed recruit, whether
he be called naval militia or army volun-
teer. / mean no reflection on any man or
any mans courage, but war is too scientific
TO be played with by amateurs. We have
got to have an army and a navy commensu-
rate with our power, consisting of trained
men. / know it is unpopular to say any
thing against the volunteer in this country,
but believe in telling the truth to the pee-
pie.
Il am somewhat Of a crank on the sub
Ject OF expansion, OF annexation of terri
tory" next said Commander Bradford.
1T is impossible for this country to become
flrst-class power without coaling stations.
AS long as We do not own the Caroline Is
lands they are menace 10 our line of COM
munication. There is not point between
here and China by way of the Suez canal
where We could get coal in time OF war. 1t
is subject for thought"
Chairman Wight Of the committee of ar
rangements, read letters of regret from Ad-
mfral Sampson, who was detained by i'll
ness; Senator Frye. who was prevented at
the last moment from being present; Secre-
State Department Gen. Joe Wheeler John
Addison Porter, Senator Gray and Col. R.
l.. Berner
The Aftermath.
"A typical American gentleman from the
state of Illinois, where he hath won much
praise with the eloQuence of his speech"
was the way Interstate Commerce Commits
sioner Calhoun was introduced. His topic
was THE Aftermath of the War"
The people did not anticipate the grave
responsibility that might follow after a VIC
tory gallantly won in the war with
Spain, according to the speaker. The peo-
pie, in their appeal to war, We're not ami
mated by any desire for territorial expan-
sion or for revenge on Spain, he declared
They were actuated by sympathy for a suf-
fering people. The war was soon over the
victory being rather easily won, but the
results of the conquest now puzzle the
minds of the American people.
Have We fully discharged our duty?" in
qufred Commissioner Calhoun. Cuba is
free-bruised and bleeding; but is it not our
duty to lift her up and start her on her
way? The child is not able to exercise the |
powers of citizenship unless 1t is developed
Cuba Is a child among the nations The
same applies to the Philippines"
We must assume whatever responsibility
= he l1ar