The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-06-26
Captain Clark In Grand Rapids.


Prior to taking charge OF the Nation
al Sailors Home, Philadelphia, Cap
tain and Mrs. Charles e. Clark have
been visiting relatives and friends In
the west. Recently the Captain and
his wife were in Grand Rapids, Mich
igan, guests OF an old Montpelier
friend, DR.. Homer G. Brigham.
1t is clear from the reports OF the
Grand Rapids papers that, in no con-
ventlonal sense, Captain Clark had the
freedom of the city during his stay
there. That sense which by intuition
recognizes true man and hero stirs
the multitude wherever Captain Clark
goes, and public feeling was wide
awake in this western city. Receptions
were given the famous officer, one, q
public function, at the Morton House
by DR.. and Mrs. Brigham, assisted by
representative citizens with their wives,
described as the most brilliant ever
held in the city; another, at the Lake.
side Club, which, Gin Difference to the
gallant commanders wish, and in en-
tire accord with his nature and manner,
was essentially informal and simple in
the extreme" The city papers told the
story of Captain Clark's brilliant naval
career and pictures of the late COM
mander Of the Oregon embellished
their columns. Said the Herald edito-
rally:
Captain Clark, we bid you welcome.
We greet you for your own sake and
for the part you took in the stirring
days OF the Spanish war. We remem-
Der those days Of waiting when you
were nobly bringing the noble Oregon
around the Horn, and how our graft
tude went out when we heard of your
safe arrival in West Indian waters.
We remember with pleasure the part
you and your ship took in the battle
with Cervera's fleet, and how but for
you the finest ship in the span
ish line might have gotten away,
thus rendering the victory incomplete.
Those were the times that tried mems
souls, and they were times worthy OF
the deeds OF the greatest and best
which the country can produce. The
man and the occasion met when you
were fortunately appointed commander
Of the Oregon. 1t were glory enough
for mortal man to have the opportunity
which fell to you. You met the oppor-
tunity, and performed your duty to the
Of Of hp 81 r
ing more could be asked or expected
from you. Therefore, thrice welcome,
Captain Clark.
Referring to the circumstance of
the late e-entrsnce of the famous bat
tleahip within the Golden Gate, and her
escapes from the perils of eastern seas,
the Press said:
There has been no naval incident,
not even In battle, since the ancient
days Of Commodore Perry-scarce even
excepting the marvellous battles at Ma
Mia and Santiago-which has 30 en-
deared ship and its commander to the
whole people as the Oregon's race
around the Horn that it might play its
part in the destruction of the last Span
ish feet 1t lis the men OF Captain Clark 8
stamp who give this nation it's standing
before the world. While he is here
the city is his, and we all, citizen land
lubbers as we are, emulate the captain
in the bluff sesmanly heartiness and
naval official courtesy Of our welcome.
A reporter of the Herald found
what other intervlewers have discov-
cred, that Captain Clark was by no
means ready to speak of himself and
his accomplishments" "My trip
around the Horn," he said, with char
acteristic modesty, "was a thing that
any man in the navy might have done.
l happened to be on the Pacific coast
at the time, and when they sent for
me to join the fleet of Admiral Samp-
son in the West Indies, obeyed Or
ders, that's all. Yes, l might have
met the Spanish navy on the way, but
you see 1 knew the Oregon was equal
to any half dozen Of their ships and !
had no cause for fear"
But, as the late Lord Beresford, an
English naval officer of high competen-
cy to judge, at dinner in San Fran
cisco, with emphasis Of his own, said in
praise Of Captain Clark and the Oregon
NAVAL officers say, I'VE could do the
same; but 1 say you nsusr hare done
it,"
| The CAPACITY of error for it's own pro