The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-31

think SO. As young boy saw the long procession of hearses that carried many of the dead of the i'll fated De Long ex- petition out to their last resting place. I heard the sad story told by surviving lieutenant who afterward, while suffer ing from injuries received in that rescue expedition, took his own life. said then what l say now; Any plan conceived in the interest of science or the search af- the 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 Gahlee defy the hiearchy of Rome and stick to the truth that the earth moves around the sun. And this Is the purpose which has made many a noble naval hero lay down his life upon the spotless white altar of the northern snows, overtopped by the towering memo. rial shafts of the arctic icebergs. All honor to those brave men! May such men ever be found serving in the Ameri- can nayyr-men who in the cause of science or of patriotism count not their lives dear unto them, but go feariessly into danger that they may win honor for their flag. May there ever be- too, in Christ's service men of similar fiber, bold to seek the truth wherever 1t may be found and fearless In declaring it, though they have to encounter the frigid hostil- ity of friends and the virulent hatred of foes.
 The American navy is to be honored to- day. The genius of its constructors and the sure marksmanship of Its gunners are to be the great preventers of future wars. The President of the United States 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, and go ahead The big club today for national offense and defense is the American navy. More and more has the law of national development increased the responsibility of the navy. With a 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 and San Francisco could by a few hours bombardment exact ransom of fabulous amount unless we had fleet to defend | our ports For our national safety. for the very preservation of our national existence, we need strong ships and brave men to man them. Let us then by the | honors we pay to the naval heroes of the past encourage their successors.
 Christian Men In the Service.
 But now the genius of American naval construction has been at work. We see the glIttering uniforms of the American l naval officers standing upon the decks Of the New York, Chicago, Iowa, Brooklyn, Texas. Oregon, Olympia, 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 commission. And as we see the new white ships steam past in 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 appropriated by congress for ironclads is uselessly spent. Under present conditions the only way to pre- vent war Is to be strong for national de- fense. It is only for time. The gospel | Is eventually to permeate all nations and bring every government into subjection to the Prince of Peace. When that glo- rious day comes, our battleships may be dismantled and instead of guns and ar maments of war they may sail forth bearing Bibles and missionaries or food for some famine stricken people
 But there is another reason for honor ing the American navy. We honor it for the lives of its Christian men. both in sailors bunk and officers cabin. whose influence has permeated the whole ser vice. Some people are apt to think of the American sailors as cursing. lying drinking. carousing lot. That is not true Some of the noblest of Christians have worn the naval uniform. Did ever e Christian write a more beautiful letter than this. which Admiral Farragut wrote to his wife the night before the battle oi Mobile Bay: My Dearest Wife--I write and leave this letter to you. l am going into Mobile bay in the morning if God fl
 my leader, and I hope he is. and in Hin
 I place my trust. If he thinks 1t is th' proper place for me to die I am ready te
 submit to His will in that as in all othel things. God bless and preserve you, m,