The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-03-10
VOL. XXXV.--NO. 20.


veterans in one common official ceremony to
decorate the graves of their sacred dead
Meade Post, G. A. R., of this city, to its ever
lasting credit, gave the invitation, and Lieut..
Thos. S. Mccullough. Of the Maryland Infan-
try, Confederate Army, accepted it and de-
livered the Grafton of that day, and Federal
and Confederate braves marched in one COM
mon procession to honor those who died on.
either side of the great breach.
Indeed, as the legislative heart of Maryland,
this little city on the Severn is ever alive with
the best. The most successful novel of the
day has its scenes laid chiefly here, and from
the abundant storehouse Of Annapolis history
drew a rich supply of dramatic incidents,
while the Naval Academy furnished in one of
its graduates the accomplished author.
CREATION OF THE NAVY.
Nor yet is the annals of its glories all told,
for to Commodore Isaac Mayo. who lived
almost within sight of the historic State House,
is absolutely due the credit of the location of
the Naval Academy at Annapolis.
In sur State House the stainless sword of
Washington returned TO the giver. The
treaty of peace they made as IS free and
independent States was ratified there, and
in this city and in all probability, in the State
House, met the convention of five States in
17S6, which led to the greater convention that
formed the Federal Constitution and created
the more perfect Union of the American
States.
This State, too, had its strong hand in
molding and creating that pride of all coun-
trymen-the American Navy. 1t was born
October Is, 1775. On that day Congress
passed its first act for the formation of navy.
Joshua Barney, of Baltimore, it is conceded,
was the first man to receive a commission in
the American naval service. On November
25, 1775, Congress adopted its rules and reg
ulations for the navy and ordered the building
of Is ships. Under that act insistant and pa
triotic Baltimore built the Virginia, of 2S
guns, and Barney had the distinguished honor
at his recruiting station, with his own hands
TO hoist, amid the music of drum and fife, the
first Continental banner seen in the Monu-
mental City. Before the day was over the
Hornet, of which Barney was second officer,
had her full complement of men enlisted.
Barney was transferred TO the Wasp and
captured British tender in the Delaware,
and later was, with the Hyder Ally, the cap
turer of the British soop-of-war General
Monk
James Nicholson, born at Chestertown,
Md, was the second officer, who had the en-
tire command of the American Navy-a post
he held from the date of his commission until
the first navy was abandoned. Previously as
a commander in the Maryland Navy, for the
State had one Independent of Congress, he
had recaptured several vessels taken by the
British, and when he was not at work destroy
ing British shipping he would land his naval
brigade and help the army, which he did with
his crew at the battle OF Trenton.
The son of Commodore Nicholson, a Mary
lander, was q lieutenant with Paul Jones; his
other brother, John, was n lieutenant in the
Revolutionary Army, and his grandson, Will
liam Carmichael Nicholson, was a midship-
man on the President when it was captured
by British cruiser. James w. A. Nichol-
son, great grandson of Commodore James
Nicholson, was in the navy during the Civil
War; MS his father, Nathaniel Dawse Nichol-
son, had been in the war of 1872. Then, as
now, il ran in the families to inherit turn
for the navy, and the great captains of the old
navy repeat their deeds of glory by their
progeny in the new American Navy.
During the Revolutionary War this little
Maryland Navy did excellent service. This
feet numbered at least 80 vessels adorned
with such suggestive names as Baltimore,
Couquerer, Revenge, Terrible, Intrepid and
Fear Naught. Among the commanders in
this fleet there are the still more suggestive
names of John Rogers, David Porter, Thomas
johnson and James Buchanan. As for the
Baltimore privateers, their names were legion
and their deeds romantic.
a N,
tur and her Ridgely, and in every conflict of
national arms this State has contributed her
share of men and captains to the successes of
the naval service. While doing the one she
has not left the other usdone, and one of her
sons shaped in concrete hope and beautiful
song. the thought and prayer of the nation:
"The Star-Spangled Bannerl Oh, long may II wave
Ger the land of the free and the home of the brave
while yet another, and he an American Naval
officer, gave birth to that most patriotic of SEN
timents:
"My eountry-may she always be right;
But, right or wrong-my country.
FIRST WASHINGTON MONUMENT.
The first monument erected to the memory
of George Washington was built on South
Mountain, in Washington county, by the peo-
pie of Boonsboro, Maryland. on July A, 1927.
So, today, We, as loving children of noble
ancestry, have gave gathered for our inspira-
ton n few of the gems that our illusirious
forefathers have scattered along the jewel
studded shores of Maryland history. To keep
alive these memories; to preserve the record
of their achievements; in inspire this genera
ton by, and to transmit to future generations,
their example are the monuments of title, the
letters patent, the right of being of the Mary
land Branch of the Society of the Daughters
of the Revolution.
Yet, with all our pride of State and ances
try, we are still prouder to remember that the
splendor of the achiev nents of the American
Navy and Army in peace and war; the mag
nifcence Of Maryand's contribution to the
Union of States, come, at last, to one altar
our common country, and find their highest
honor in ministering at its fanes. In this
spirit this tablet is erected. The splendor Of
the one and the grandeur of the other, reach
their greatest excellence and chief glory in
al. .vhs snI,
Washington and the fathers established and
whose star of promise will safely guide the
ark of human liberty down the ages and pre-
serve to us and our children's childres the
blessings of liberty in all the ehulgence and
brilliancy of a constitutional orbit OF progress
and development, and when the mighty roll
of time shall cease, then, and then alone,
shall end thy destiny; superb, and crowned
with Gods approving verdict, the nations
thou shalt lead in all that's best and good,
and, with thy glory, thrill the sons of eternity