The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-19
HISTORIC OCCASION
TABLETS PRESENTED NEW kEAR-
SARGE AND ALABAMA.
ALABAMA GREETS VERMONT.
GOV. JOHNSTON AND Ex-sECRE-
TAHY HERBERT STOKE.

Niece of Lieut.. Thornton Of tho
otd kcarsarRe Unvetlrd Afahama's
Tablet, whue Admiral semmes,
Daughter unVeiIcd That Of che
kesrsarEe-siov. Rollins of ver-
mont Presented the Tablets ana
Secretary LonE Responded.
Portsmouth. y IA Sept iS-Tho initial
days celebration of che presentation OF
the tablets so the kearsnrge and Alabama,
although uahercd IN by gloom and storm,
nevertheless proved "A great success
through the fortunate clearing of tho
weather. and io-nighs the two bronze en-
blems are In the custody OF the COM
manding ofncers OF the great battleshipa.
The storm Of last night dlsarrangcd che
programme planned BY the committee. for
the day so thas the formal exercises of
presentation went over until afternoon.
while those arranged 60 b. held on board
the kearsarEe. now az anchor in the
harbor were postponed altogether The
exercises on shore. however were great
success and the different speeches by
prominens officials were warmly received
by iafge gathering
The weather cleared beautifully during
the latter part 81 the day and the stands
erected 0n the shore Of the inland lake
presented me appearance and the whole
afternoon was very satisfactory TO the
committee who had planned this part OF
the celebration. The exercises were heid
shortly after 3 o'clock
Mayor Edward T.. Mcintyre opened the
proceedings with an address OF welcome
and then introduced Gen Charles a.
Burns of Wiuton as president of the day
Mr. Burns presented Miss Mary Thornton
Davis OF Boston. niece of Lieut. Thornton.
executive officer of the old kearsarKe.
and Mrs Henry bryan Of Alabama
daughter Of Rear Admiral SemmeH of the
old Alabama Miss Davis unveiled the
tablet destined Tor the Ala bama. while
Mrs Bryan performed like act with
that for the Kearaargs
Gov Rollins was then introduced aud
made a brief address. presenting the tab
lets 10 Capt. Folgcr of the Kearaarge and
Capt. browns0u OF the Alabama. ecese-
tary Of the Navy John - Long respond.
Cd on behalf OF the navy department.
Gov. Johnaon's Address.
Gov Johnston OF Alabama accepted
the Alahama's tablet He said In part.
We are invited. not 60 forget the g.orious
achievements of our fathers aud hrethren
~ tho war between the states. but. u Is
now Insisted that they shall ever be re-
membefed ana cherished a. the common
heritage Of the American people. and for
the inspiration Of our children and the
glory OF a great and reunited and free
republic
In all this long Journey whenever ana
FFHN FasHf Ha tad
whether North or South Of the Potomac.
like Anteas OF old. I have fslt new
strength and courage rise into my veins
from soil enriched and hailowed hy the
blood Of your fathers aud brethren aud
mine.
III Is ~ that tho commonwealth
Of New Hampshire. a commonwealth the
mother Of Webster. that great apostle
0f an indiHsoiuble union Of lndestructlbls
states. should ho the first. officially not
only 20 rise superior 20 the passions and
pretudlces OF fratricidai war hut 10 de-
termine - comufe emorate and honor the
gallant deeds Of the American sailor with
out regard 60 the Tag which fioatea over
him. Ana q - peculiarly happy that
these patriotic ceremonies should take
place during the administration Of gov
ernor close 10 the hearts Of his people.
who planted the seed this day 20 auspl-
ciously bursting into bloom and blossom
when he inauguratcd the old Home
Week for his commonwealth.
This rs The first old Home Week OF
the American sailor. when those who left
may return and once more. without re-
prosch take their places at the Old fire-
side
The Fight on Cherbourg.
Upon that fateful Sunday morning IN
June. 1854. when the Alabama sailed out
Aae
Kearsarge. each commander knew that he
had a foeman worthy Of his Steel for
they had been friends and comrades In
the past The vessels were nearly even
~ matched The kearsarge had seven
guns and ls2 men. and the Alabama eight
guns and i4g men. The guns Of the kear-
sarge carried more metal For one hour
and forty minutes they sailed around each
other Ia nery circle hurting their mis-
siles of death The Kearsarge was struck
twenty eight times ana had one historic
shell lodged In her exploded. il Is prob
able that she would have gone down be-
fore the Alabama Ssmmes fought his
ship until no had lost about one-f0urth
of his men and never struck his flag un-
~ he felt her sinking under his feet.
when the battle ceased the Alabama
found her grave Ia the sea. There she
has slumbered until the resurrection
morn AWA3A aNAf f*HNNthAN NNA+ AtHtNs AAN
consort Instead Of the enemy Of the Kear-
sarge. 10 night under the same haK and
against all enemies Of the republic. This
memorial tablet joins them IN enduring
friendship and the commanders OF both
will have the heroism Of winslow ana
semmes 20 inspire them 70 gailan, deeds.
Greetings From Aiabama.
Il come from the capital city upon the
banks of that river and from the common
wealth which bears that happy name.
now grown into a great state with two
millions Of free people. rivailing PennsyI-
vania and ohio In the production OF coal
and iron and steel. producing enough COT
ton 20 clothe and lumber TO shelter all the
people OF New England, ana sending her
products into every ciimc-a state with
churches and free schools IN nearly every
township. a state with a genial climate
and 4 fertile soil and beautiful women
and gallant men and balmy hreexes, and
where now Only the dead rest.
u come from that commonwealth and
from her people upon the gracious invita-
tlon Of the state and peop.e Of New Hamp-
shire. 10 take part In these ceremonies.
and. IN the name Of our state ard IN be-
half OF her people 20 express TO YOU. sir.
our grateful appreciation Of the noble
and patriotic sentiment that prompted
your psop,e % desire our presence on this
happy occasion.