Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1901-06-07
HONORS FAIRLY WON.
SIXTY SEVEN NAVAL ACADEMY
GRADUATES
Receive Their DiplOmas-Six Stars
In The Class Of 1901.
AWARDS BESTOWED BY ASSIST
ANT SECRETARY HACKETT
Of The United States Navy Recon-
mendatiOns Of Board Of Visitors
Brilliant Ball To Wind
Up The Ceremonies.

OIAl VEN young men received
~ their diplomas this morning from
the hands Of Frank w Hackett. Assist
ant Secretary OF the Navy. as graduates
of the United States Naval Academy.
These young men viii now be separa-
ted-each going on short leave with
the trophy of his diligent study and work
for four years. The class Of 1901 may
meet again at its alma mater at the end
OF TWO years. the interval TO be passed at
sea, or it may be examined at different
parts OF the country. which was the case
this year. This examination will deierm-
inc who will receive commissions as en-
signs in the navy.
CHAPEL CEREMONIES.
Rain changed the order OF events at
the Naval Academy and, from the ample
arena OF its extensive grounds. TO the
contracted limits OF the chapel. the grad
uating exercises were relegated.
Ii was 10. as a, m. when the band was
heard playing the cadets march, and
headed the battalion on its march TO the
chapel. The Board of Visitors, the Aca-
demic Board and invited guests occupied
the dias within the chancel Chaplain
n. II. Clark made the opening prayer,
in which he said that the graduates went
forth like sturdy ships. with fair winds,
and feared no shifting seas.
Commander Wainwright, superintend-
ent of the Naval Academy, said that the
class OF 1901 had won its position by self
denial and application, To-day you are
relieved from academic routine. We wish
you we'll. but we have no fear but that
the class OF 1901 will stand up for the
country The Superintendent com
pliment pleased the class greatly, and
they gave it enthusiastic applause.
SPEECH OF GENERAL BRAGG.
General Edward S. Bragg. as orator to
the graduates from the Board OF Visitors,
then addressed the class. He said
"You will soon become full-hedged
officers. Incidentally, we very much pre-.
feIred that you had gone forth iulLfedg-
ed eaglets. Loud applause The posi-
ton you now take IS one OF greater re-
sponsibility than any you have ever oc-
cupied before.
The chirping and talking OF those ad.
Vanced in the way is never agreeable,
and yet there are certain well. defined,
sharpened stakes. that the preceding CEN
tury has discovered. and i, will be for
your benefit to have them pointed out to
you. You are officers in the navy that
represents nation that, unless the fore
cast is badly out OF order. will be the
greatest nation in the world.
"In the last century we had lew ships,
and the wonder was, not that how long
we would last, but how soon would we
go to pieces. We have passed the CEN
tury that has been most prolific in pro-
gress. and great inventions. and have
taken our seat near the head OF the
table. Ii is wonderful mistake to call
us the Anglo-Saxon. We had better
say "Slav.' We are mixture OF the
best of all nations we have founded a
race; we composite. We are Ameri-
cans. This country was the child OF re.
bellion. The people hocked here to avoid
oppression You have become children
OF the flag. ! may talk of Wisconsin
and another OF Georgia, and each glory
in his section, but you are children of
the flag.
"Your struggle should be to remember
the fag in all its glory. Your greatest
duty is to learn to command yourself
The men who obey have their rights as
YOU have yours. The honor OF the ship
and the honor of the officers is part Of
the honor OF the crew. Discipline must
be. The Declaration of Independence is
harped on by anarchist. nihilist and
every one as setting up the principal that
all men are born free and equal. This
is not an actual fact in the order OF things.
Government rests on law. Law establishes
the fixed rule Each man in society has
TO surrender portion OF his individual
rights to harmonic all interests.
The Army and Navy is the last re-
sort when Craftsmanship fails. When a
ship struck its colors to the Merrimac,
the father OF the commander of the ship
had struck, when as he read the paper,
threw il down, and said Jacks dead.
Remember that brass rejects farther than
gold, and il you stir pool. bubbles come
up hrsg Notwithstanding the Hague
Convention, we must be ready for war.
II is settled that the greatest conflicts OF
the world will be upon the seas. Apply
the seniiment-'My Country. may she
always be right. but right or wrong. she
is INV country. Wear in the top Of your
CAP. that you may always see it, DOM
give up the ship' The applause wa.
most enthusiastic, for the speech took
with the cadets and the distinguished
visitors
SPEECH OF SECRETARY HAcKETT.
Commander Wainwright introduced
Assistaat-Secretary Hackett Secretary
Hackest said that the Secretary of the
Navy sent TO each of the graduates his
| kind wishes. and that public duties alone
prevented him from being present.
Therefore stand as his substitute. and
| in like manner as the Secretary is the
representative of the President. and
have therefore delegated representa-
tion OF his, can say that he too. IS mind
full of the future OF the class of 1901.