The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-05-03

produce great men, we can hand down |
great names. / know that the honor OF our |
country and our navy Is safe in the keeping |
OF such men as these. 1 hope the years |
will bring JOY and prosperity to our guest
that he will soon receive that honor which
his service merits at the hands OF his
countrymen, and that he will see the glory
Of the arm Of the service in which he be-
lieves go on increasing in power and &C
complishment."
Mayor j. W. Gordon OF Barre, was the
last speaker. Among other things he said
II only wish was as ready to fire at you
as Captain Clark was at the Spaniards. /
wish tonight, instead of being compelled
to make speech, stood at the bridge OF
thirteen inch gun and could let her go, /
think / should be able under such circum-
stances to createmore OF an impression than
can by attempting to make speech.
| (Laughter)
My memory goes back a twelvemonth
and remember how year ago last even
| ing, in crowded hall in the city OF Barre,
| where we had gathered to give the boys of
Company our farewell messages, we
! learned that the Oregon was safe on the
South American coast. 1t sent grateful
thrill to every heart to know that Captain
| Clark and the brave ship Oregon had es-
capped the Spanish ship Temersrio and that
they were well on their way to the victory
| that was soon to come. Probably never in
marine history, at least not since our last
war, has there been q naval journey so
much watched, 80 carefully followed with
such deep personal interest as was the 49,
900 miles journey Of Captain Clark from the
Golden Gate around the Horn and up the
Atlantic coast L believe that journey will
stand beside that of Magellan who was the
first to pass through the straits through
which gallant Captain Clark passed in his
historic voyage. When he reached Key
West they asked him II he wanted to re-
pair, and the Captains gallant answer was
Il am ready to fight And when on the
} lhird OF July, after the long vigils that had
been necessary at the port of Santiago
when the fight came it proved that Captain
! Clark and the Oregon were ready for the
7 battle that dealt the blow to the pride o.
7 the Spanish navy"
s Mayor Senter then called upon Captain
Clark. AS he rose to speak rounds OF ap
$ plause shook the building These wer
t was finally restored Capt. Clark said
It "My Friends: 1 have been told that
T would not be expected OF me that shout,
d make speech. 1 want simply to than
you. but that is very difficult thing for m
Is to do. 1t would be such relief to me il
10 could tell you how grateful am but car
IT not" The captains voice broke with emit
l. ton and his words were cheered to tn
a. echo. No polished orator could have sal
N more, or in moro fitting terms.
10 A line was then formed and every perso
8, in the hall who so desired was introduce
at 81 Captain al Mrs. Clark. They were al
10 sisted in receiving by Mayor and Mrs. Sci
Of ter, Col. o. d. Clark, Hon. Charles Dewe
and daughter, Col and Mrs. Fred
e Smith and Col. and Mrs. A. G. Brown.
It, Captain and Mrs. Clark went this NOR
IN ing to Bradford. A special car was a
7e tached to the Montpelier & Wells Riv,
al mail train for their accommodation. The
10 were accompanied as far as Wells River
SO Mayor Senter and a score or more OF Il
as prominent business men OF the city.
lg A delegation OF Bradford citizens m
o. Captain and Mrs. Clark at Wells River al
ne escorted them to Bradford, where prac
IN cally the entire town was in waiting to T
III Ceiye them,