Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-05-29

pole In 1873, and Lieutenant Com
mander George Washington De Long
defied when he led the fatal Jeanette
expedition In 1879. All, those were
brave men. yet no Drawer than General
Greedy and Rear Admiral Melville and
the many gallant fellows who went
after the De Long party, and faced icy
dangers TO bring back the survivors
and the frozen bodies of the dead. They
were no Drawer men than Lieutenant
Peary. who has again and again tried
to reach the north pole. On returning
home from his latest journey he had
TO have part of his feet amputated
because they had been frozen among
the northern SHOWS. In spite of all
the past dangers aud sufferings. he is
again chatting and fretting to 90 back
10 his old search.
For National Safety
Does any one say that all this sacri-
fee of heroic naval lives to the northern
elements IL a useless sacrifice? | do
not think so. AS q young boy l saw
the long procession of hearses that ear
ried many OF the dead OF the iii fated
De Long expedition out to their last
told by a surviving lieutenant. who aft
erward. while suffering from injuries
received in that rescue expedition, took
his own life. | said then what | say
now: Any plan conceived I'm the inter
est OF science or the search after truth,
any expedition which is born with the
hope OF learning something not known
before. Is worthy of sacrifice. This
was the desire that drove Columbus
across the seas. This was the desire
which made Galilei defy the hierarchy
Of Rome and stick to the truth that the
earth moves round the sun. And this
Is the purpose which has made many
noble naval hero lay down his life
upon the spotless white altar of the
northern SHOWS, overtopped by the
towering memorial shafts OF the arctic
icebergs. All honor to those brave
meni May such men ever be found
serving in the American navy-men
who In the cause OF science or of pa
triotism count not their lives dear unto
them. but go fearlessly into danger
that they may win honor for their flag.
Nav there ever be. too. in Christ's sery-
sce men or sImilar nuer, bold To sees
the truth wherever it may be found
and fearless In declaring it, though
they have to encounter the frigid hos
tility Of friends and the virulent hatred
OF foes.
The American navy is to be honored
today. The genius of Its constructors
and the sure craftsmanship of its gun
ners are to be the great preventers of
fr1f
United States a short time ago, when
speaking in the city of Chicago, said
practically these words: "Do not boast
In reference to our national prowess.
Let us obey the old adage which SAYS.
Speak softly. but carry big club. aud
go ahead" The big club today for
national offense and defense is the
American navy. More and more has
the law OF national development in
creased the responsibility of the navy.
With coast SO extended as ours on
east and west and south we are at the
mercy of foreign enemy. A hostile
fleet lying outside New York, Boston,
Charleston or San Francisco could by
few hours bombardment exact
ransom OF fabulous amount unless we
had fleet to defend our ports. For
our national safety. for the very pres
ervation OF our national existence, we
need strong ships and brave men to
man them. Let us then by the honors
that we pay TO the naval heroes of the
past encourage their SUCCESSORS.
Christian Men In the Service
But now the genius OF American ma
val construction has been at work. We
see the glittering uniforms OF the
American naval officers standing upon
the decks or the New York. Chicago.
Iowa, Brooklyn, Texas. Oregon, Olym-
pia, Massachusetts,, Illinois, new Maine
and Philadelphia, and the great fleets
OF other war ships which now compose
our navy and all the many other war
ships soon TO be built and put into COM
mission. And as we see the new white
ships steam past I'm review they do
not come as demons OF war, but as
white angels of peace. Never fail to
honor the United States sailor. Never
declare that all the money appropriate
ed by congress for ironciads is useless
ly spent. Under present conditions the
only way TO prevent war Is TO be strong
n
time. The gospel is eventually to per-
meate all nations and bring every gov
eminent into subsection TO the Prince
or Peace. When that glorious day
comes. our battle ships may be disman.
tied and instead OF guns and arma-
ments OF war they may sail forth bear
Ing Bibles and missionaries or food for
some famine stricken people.
But there Is another reason for hon. |
oring the American navy. We honor Il /
FOR the lives OF its Christian men, both |
In sailors bunk and officers cabin, |
whose influence has permeated the |
whole service. Some people are apt to |
think OF the American sailors as n |
cursing, lying, drinking. carousing lot |
That Is not true. Some OF the noblest |
OF Christians have worn the naval uni
form. Did ever q Christian write n |
more beautiful letter than this, which |
Admiral Farragut wrote to his wife
the night before the battle of Mobile
Bay: MY Dearest Wife, write and
leave this letter TO you. am going
into Mobile bay in the morning IL God
Is my leader, and hope he is, and in
him i place my trust. II he thinks IL
Is the proper place for me to die am
ready to submit to his will in that as
IN all other things. God bless and pre-.
serve you. my darling, and my dear
boy, If anything should happen to me.
Nay his blessing rest upon you and
your dear mother" Was there ever a
'weeter Christian character than Conn.,
nodore Philip, who was once Captain
Philip OF the Texas? He was brave
enough before Santiago when Ger
'era's fleet was going down to call out
o his victorious men: Don't cheer.
'oys- Those poor fellows over there
ire dying" And he was brave enough
after the battle was ended to call his
men together and have the ships chap
ain return thanks to that God who
lad preserved the American ships in
he battle.
During the weary blockade off San
fago, the commander of the Ameri-