The state herald., 1901-05-24
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY VIEWS
THE LAUNCHING OF THE OHIO

service III tne c0mpulsn III tne pnll-
ipplne islands.
mo one can stand surrounded by
the wOrkmen of this great establish
ment without recalling the splendid
work done by the ships you have
builded and their priceless services to
the country.
"When Admiral Dewey was direct
ed to go to Manila and destroy the
Spanish fleet or capture 1t, he made
the Olympia, which you builded, his
flagship, and his command, directed
from that ship performed one of the
most brilliant achievements In the an
nails of the American navy.
"Nor can we forget for moment
that 1t was your skill and genius that
made the Oregon. The hours of anx-
iOus waiting will never be known
when the Oregon started to Join the
fleet at Santiago. Days and days we
heard not one word from her But we
had confidence In the stout ship you
had builded, and we had confidence in
that gallant officer, Captain Clark,
who commanded 1t. shall never for
get the early morning when Captain
Clark telegraphed from the Florida
shore:
1.-The Oregon Is here and needs no
repairs and is ready for action.
And she went and performed mag
nificent service J for the country.
want to thank you men of the Union
Iron Works for your assistance in the
defense of our common country.
want to thank you for having builded
ships that have maintained the honor
nf fha TTnifaI ~, pIInI
glory to the navy of the United
States.
Il don't want n ship in the American
navy built this year to be any better
than the Ohio. | say that to you
among ourselves. / say 1t to you work
men who are going to build her, for
have great deal of pride in the old
state.
II have great deal of pride in the
name, but proud as l am of my native
state, am n thousand times more
proud of the nation that is over all the
states, supreme and sovereign and
glorious In Its mission of good will
and liberty to all mankind.
what we want Is to build more
ships. We ought to have good COM
mercial line from here to the Philip
pines, made In the Union Iron Works,
built by American worklngmen and
manned by American sailors and car
rying the American flag.
I'VE have overcome distance. We
not only want commercial line. but
we want cable from here to the Phil
ippines.
I'VE want II to be an American
cable, that cannot he cut by any power
in the world. They say trade follows
the flag. The telegraph must follow
trade.
My fellow citizens, we have great
problems before us. We never had
more important ones. We have ex-
panded. Do you want TO contract?
1t Is not question OF whether we
will acquire the Philippines or Porto
Rico. or Guam. or Wake island, or
Hawaii. or Tutuila. We have ac-
quired them: they are ours. The ques-
ton Is. shall we give them up? Gen
OF this country TO the other comes
answer They are ours not TO sub
1ugate, but 10 emancipate: not 60 rule
In the power OF might, but to take TO
the distant people the principles OF
liberty. and freedom of conscience and
OF opportunity that nre enjoyed by the
people Of the United States.
"Our flag never goes anywhere ex-
ccpt 1t carries blessings. Our flag
never oppressed anybody. but II has
given freedom 10 every people over
whom II has fioatcd.
Having said this much, I only want
TO thank you all for this cordial wei
come. ] am glad again so meet the
workingmen OF my country. All my
public life has been devoted In effort
TO giving the workingmcn the best
opportunity. the best chance for good
wages and steady employment.
when labor il well employed. the
country Is safe, and when labor IL well
employed there j. contcntmcnt and
happiness In the homes OF the labor
Ing men.
"Let me sny that I shall carry this
beautiful souvenir Of the employees OF
the Union Iron Works with me and II
shall abide with me so long as | live,
and shall he passed along TO those OF
my family that shall follow me as one
OF the dearest token I have ever re.
cclved from my fellow countrymen.
The ceremonies connected with the
launching were simple. There was no
speechmnklng. Mrs. Ida Eckert Law.
renee OF Ohio read nm original poem.
At 12;22is. two and one-hnlf minutes
before the tide WAS nt It's highest, the
time set for Its launching. there sud.
denly shot up Into the face OF the In.
dicator Ready"
Miss Barber pressed the button. The
last block fell nway. At thc same time
Miss Helen Dcshlcs, n young lady Of
seventeen. In a light gown. with her
hair braided down her back In school.
girl fashion. let 20 OF the bottle OF
champagne suspended mt the side OF
the bow by q red. white and blue rib.
bon. and M II crashed against tho
side she uttered the words. II christcn
thee Ohio"
Released from lts bonds the heavy
hull OF 1900 tons OF steel went
plourhing through the thick grease Of
Its cradle. Slowly. NJ FIRST. then faster
and faster. she Sid down thc ways.
taking the nood mnJesiicnlly and pill.
Ing up the water In great WAVES be.
fore her. The lmnd crashed, whistles
blew md the multitude shouted.
No ship ever given 10 the navy has
taken her initial plunge into the sea
under more favorable auspices. or In
the presence u more distinguished
company.
The trip back 10 the city was nj,
most n repetition Of the journey TO the