Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-19
SPLENDID TRIBUTE TO GRAY


avoid. II we had not taken them they
would have been left to a power that
has never known justice or mercy. He
referred tot he great opportunity for us
TO increase trade in China, where
France, Germany, Russia and Great
Britain are contesting rights Of COM
meroe. We are only 600 miles from
that country. If We had treated with
tlmldity in this question it would have
been distinct betrayal of the people.
Referring to Senator Hoar's speech,
Judge Armstrong said he was sorry TO
see him take position which he be-
lieved 10 be false in law and prejsdical
In its effect upon civilization. The
United States government has the alb
solute and inherent right that belongs
to every nation to acquire and govern
territory.
CONGRESSMAN HANDY.
In introducing Congressman L. Irving
Handy to respond to the toast Rivers
and Harbors,'' Col. Nields said Mr..
Handy wanted to make the Brandwyine
navigable TO Coatesville in order that
butter, milk and cheese might be car
ried to tho soldiers at Fort Delaware.
Mr.. Handy said that he had a hearty
appreciation of the stainless private
ittts iotbl BubiiO NidtdtNfI uilu lllt
ability of the services of George Gray.
Talking up the subject of rivers and
harbors, Mr.. Handy said that the Fifty
fifth Congress had appropriated sos, 600
for the Wilmington harbor, which
should add three feet to its depth. At
this session he has asked for Sl95, 900,
and we ought to get the Sl00, 900 or the
eos, 600 or the 5000. He held that the
Wilmington harbor ought to be as
deep as the river, so that no boat that
puts her nose in from the sea cannot
get into this harbor Whatever depth
Philadelphia Wilmington should
secure. He ventured the prophecy that
American shipbuilding will from this
time look up again. Forty years ago
the American shipyards turned ont
many ships and much trade was carried
10 American bottoms, but the ships
were OF wood and when iron and steel
came TO be used they cost more 20 us
than to Great Britain and Great Bri-
tain secured the commerce Of the world /;
but now our iron and steel are the
cheapest in the world and American
steel plates for ships are being exported
to England today. With the cheapest
material and the highest priced men
we are going to build ships and we are
kbink W oWii 5nilo. anu Ildtt IL
more interested than Wilmington, but
our ships must be able to get to deep
water.
II want to see new American
river" said Mr. Handy, "that runs
across Nicaragua from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. Applause. | want tc
see an American river running through
strip of land belonging to the United
States. as free to every ship in the
world as the Delaware River is.
II am not much of an annexatiouist,
] can say God hasten the day wher
there shall be free Cuba, free Porto
Rico, when there will be in the Philip
pines people who of right ought t.
be independent. God stave off the evi
day when America shall have the ty
rants heart and our soldiers level gum
at men fighting for the independents,
and self-government for which W.
fought"
In speaking of the Nicaragua canal
Mr.. Handy favored the building of ;
great shipyard on its lake.
OTHER RESPONSES.
Hon. Jonathan S. Willis Responded
to the toast "Our Soldiers and Sailors. ;
He felt that something Of martha
spirit was needed to keep a natioi
healthy and held that it was not tina
spirit which made Rome fall. He hel,
that the country owes debt to tn
soldiers and sailors which it has neve
paid and he feared never would pay
He maintained that we should pay ou
soldiers better and make them fee
that they are part of us and that pen
sions should be more on principles q
equality.
Charles W. Pussy responded to tn
toast Wilmington Commerce an
Manufacturers. 81 He said he highl
appreciated the honor of joining th
representative gathering in greetin
Senator Gray.
In responding to the toast 18Th
Board Of Trade" Gen. j. Parke Postlt
gave great praise to Senator Gray an
expressed regret that the State and n;
tion were about to lose his services.
the Board of Trade had never dor
anything but give this testimonial I
Senator Gray its existence would [
justified. Gen. Postles felt that tn
testimonial, coming from Senate
Gray's own people, was to him I'll
most gratifying thing in his politics
and public career. The speaker urge
cooperation of the business men
Wilmington to secure the success
the Board Of Trade. He drew attel
tion to the fact that the annual CONVEX
tion Of Municipal Electricians will |
held in this city in September ne
and urged the board to aid in makir
it a success.
The audience expressed its appreci
ton of an original poem by Howell
England, which he recited, as follow
AFTEBwARD.
(From Jonathan to john.
Spain wouldn't free the Cubans,-a s
blew the Maine on high,
And so we had brush with her from APP
TO july
The mighty navies of whose strength S
was wont to blow,
We sent TO join her other fleet of centur
agol
And DER each blasted colony wherein /
rule was known
We hoisted up the Stars and Stripes and to
it for our ownl
We told the wondering world again in Il
emphatic way
That the Saxons in the saddle,-and Ii
there to stay
When first from foreign leading.strings o
~ selves We boldly tore,
Old England half forgot to love the lu
child she bore.
But now that we have risen strong, our d
tiny to fill.
Our mother IS herself again, and grects
Britannia feels thrill of pride throb all
pulses through
And halls with high acclaim the things
lions whelp can do,
Till even the weakest OF our race within
heart can feel
That kin Is more than covenants, and bl,
than bonds of steel;
And Etlrope. coldiy sulleulv looks m