The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-28
RALEIGH AT WILMINGTON
THE WILMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
TO HOLD A MEETING.
Raleigh Will Also Take Steps 10 Send Bic
Delegation to Receive the Cannon and
Other Trophies of War,

Referring to the coming of the Raleigh
to North Cardinals chief seaport, the
Wilmington Star of yesterday said:
"A genuine North Carolina welcome is
what the citizens propose to give the
cruiser Raleigh and her gallant officers
and crew when they visit this port early
in May.
president w. Il. Worth of the Cham
Der of Commerce has issued a call for a
meeting of the Cnamber to be held in
their apartment in the MacRae build
ing on Front street at $3.50 o'clock this
afternoon. In issuing the call President
Worth pronounces the matter one III
which every loyal son of the State is in
tereSted and extends q cordial invitation
to the public to attend the meeting.
Yesterday afternoon President
Worth of the Chamber of Commerce;
Mayor Waddell, President w. A. john
son. of the Merchants Association;
President j. Allen Taylor, of the Tariff
Association. and President I'll. G. Small
bones. of the Produce Exchange, wrote
the Mayor of Raleigh rendering their
assistance and the assistance of the or
ganization they represent i'll carrying
out any ceremonies which the capital
city may contemplate giving as COM
pliment to the officers of the Raleigh.
Ii will be remembered that the principal
object of the cruisers officers i'll coming
to this port is to present to the State,
and particularly to the city of Raleigh.
certain cannon and other trophies OF the
Spanish-American war, especially of the
May-day battle in Manila bay.
Either the city government or the
Chamber of Commerce of Raleigh, or
both. ought to make arrangements to
send a big delegation TO Wilmington on
that occasion.
Writing of the coming of the Raleigh,
the Christian Advocate of this city says
1T seems now to be a settled fact that
the South and the State of North Caro-
lima are to be honored with visit from
the great ship that bears the name of our
capital city, This vessel composed a
part of the fleet of Admiral Dewey,
which won immortal fame i'll the great
naval engagement i'll Manila harbor, and
which added fresh glory to American
valor The Raleigh arrived in New
York city on Sunday, April 9th, and
was received by an immense crowd with
booming cannon and the greatest enthu-
siasm.
1T is now given out as official that
this proud vessel is to be sent to Char
lesion, s. c., to take part i'll the exer-
cises of the Confederate reunion in May,
and thence be ordered to Wilmington,
where the people of North Carolina can
do her honor. We hope that nothing
will occur to cause these plans to mis-
carry Happily the chasm so long sep
arating the North and the South has
been bridged. and the more respect is
shown by the administration at Wash
ington for Southern valor and sentiment
the more quickly and strongly will the
union be cemented, and the rising gener
alton will be one in all that makes a ma
ton great.
I'VE suggest that if the Raleigh come
to Wilmington the occasion be
made memorable one in theNhistory of
our State. The people of Wilmington
are intelligent, patriotic, and progress
sive, and if they will move in the mat
ter, we think the capital and other cities
win join heartily with them. a
LET us suggest that the time has
lie and of Christian civilization when
certain customs should be abolished and
some old things done away with. There
is no good reason why ship should be
christened with champagne. Is not the
whole thing out of harmony with the
present order and in bad taste? And
certainly the time has come when
ships company can be served with
something more elevating and improv-
ing than a punch bowl and punch cups.
These may not be associated in some
minds with intemperance or alcoholic
drinks, but to Il large portion of our peo-
pie they are suggestive of dissipation.
American valor is now at a premium in
the worlds estimation. 1t was won by
the intelligence and moral superiority
of our army and navy. Let us do all in
our power to protect our heroes from all
temptation to dissipation, and do all we
can to improve them intellectually and
religiously. Would it not be well for
the people of North Carolina to present
a library of religious books to the Ra-
leigh for the use of her officers and
crew.