The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-25

scene upon the stage where Mobiles most distinguished men, and those of the silver service commission from all sections Of the State. comprising the general com mittee on presentation and where. too were the captain commanding and officers of the battleship. their handsome naval uniforms marking them as of special i'm port.
 Other than ordinary interest centered as well upon the four boxes. In the upper left were parties of ladies. Miss Eoline Russell the cultured daughter of Col. E. l.. Russell, with her party; in the oth- CT adjoining, Miss Jessica Whiting, daughter of the general chairman of the pro osentation ceremony, and party; oppo- site to Miss Russelrs box was that of Miss Maribel Williams, the charming daughter of Hon. Price Williams. Jr., and party. and beside them Hon. O. J. Semmes, son of the lamented Admiral Raphael Semmes, sometime commander of the Confederate Alabama; Mrs. Semmes Colsston daughter. and party. Miss Russell attracted more than ordi- nary interest beca lse of having written the inscriptions engraved on the silver service. Miss Williams, the pride of the Mobile Press Club and its sponsor by her presence and charming manner, aided in the good cause in the initial movement of the Mobile Press Club when the fete was given here for the fund to be devot- ed to the pun chase of the service. Miss Russell in being selected to write the in scription, proved a happy selection and
 
 the service will prove historic so long as the service lasts.
 In the frcnt row of the parquet sat twelve Daughters of the American Revo- lution, seats having been set apart for them.
 The doors of the theatre were opened promptly at 10 o'clock and as promptly closed at H. the hour for the presentation to begin. Distinguished citizens acted as ushers for the suspicious occasion and these rigidly enforced the rule. Ladies first men afterwards These were Gen. F. B. Vaughan, MeSsrs. Murray Wheel CT B. B. Boone and George E. Stone.
 In the audience also were wives of of ficers of the battleship, Daughters of the Confederacy, Colonial Danes and other organizations. Representative citizens were on all sides and the gathering was indeed a most notable one.
 The stage was appropriately set and the private boxes were draped beautituHy in national colors. The silver service oc- cupied a central position on the stage and was indeed thing of beauty.
 The program was carried out save that Lieutenant Governor R. M. Cunningham spoke for Governor Jelks. who was ab- sent.
 Rev. A. c. Harte delivered a beautifully worded invocation. such as is seldom heard on so suspicious an occasion. His blessing upon the navy and the army was Col. E. L. Russell then spoke as fol- lows:
 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 The purpose which brings us together on this interesting occasion is one that should excite the patriotic pride of every citizen who lives within the borders of our great State. The Federal Government coined out of the blood and treasure of our fa- thers has conferred a great honor on our State by naming one of it's first-class battleships Alabama" Whether on the high seas or in foreign ports or in the red blaze of battle, she will carry the name of AlaDama with the Stars and Stripes, the flag of our great Republic. the home of the free and the brave. We are indeed to be congratulated on having with us today that accomplished seaman Captain Davis, and the other officers of the battleship Alabama.
 Sir. the battleship you command bears the name of a State which, in the sister hood of States, Is second only to Pennsyl- vania in her iron, coal and other mineral products that go to make the great wealth of our country. The battleship you com mand bears the name of a State that has kept involate its plighted faith through out her entire history, The people of Alabama are loyal to the Union and the nag of our country and are proud of the achievements of her soldiers and seamen Wherever you may De or wherever you may so, whether on the rolling pillows of.