Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-09-19
LAUNCHING OF
THE maryland
Brilliant Array of Prominent
Marylanders at Newport
News. Able and Patriotic
Speech by the Governor.

The Cruiser Maryland was launcheu
last Saturday morning at Newport
News, i'm the presence of a company of
distinguished Marylanders. the Cover
nor of Virginia, and the acting Secre
tary of the Navy. The success of the
occasion was marred 10 some extent by
the failure of the Maryland 10 clear the
ways. This hitch, however. WAS
trifling matter. and the snip was sue
ceSsfully floated at high tide. In the
afternoon luncheon WAS served AT Old
Point. where several toa>ts were re-
sponded Ia. Gov rnor Smith making
strong and forcihlc speech
GOVERNOR SMITHS ADDRESS.
"It affords mo great pleasure 10 Toe
present here to-day ON such an agree
able occasion as that which has brought
US together AZ this delightful place As
a citizen, aud as Chief Executive of
MARYLAND. | feel that INV State has
been highly houored by having one of
the great ships of war which the Govern
memt of the United States is building
named for her.
thrust if the necessity of thu Situa
tion should ever require it, this magniti.
cent and formidable boat may be as
fortunate in serving the country and in
bringing additional glory to the old flag
rs was that other boat named for Mary.
lands chief city one bright May day in
tho waters of Manila bay. Il is not only
pleasing To my people. but it is grace
full thing To name one of the great
vessels of the United States Navy in
honor of tho State of Maryland, The
State of Maryland is indeed proud of
her nameSake. the latest addition IL the
United States Navy, the armored
cruiser Maryland.
MAaYLANn'S SERVICE ~ ruH NATION.
II thank the Government for thus
comphmenting my native State, And
say il is appropriate that this should
be done. because MARYLAND was one of
tho Is original States that fought for
the Union and made il wise and neceS.
Sary. as we'll as possible, to build a
navy for the United States. In the
dark days of the Revolution her sons
shed their blood upon nearly every
battlefield from South Carolina To
Massachusetts. With others equally
renowned for their bravery. patriotism
and self sacrifice, they did their part i'll
forming IA new nation, which in every
way has been without parallel in the
history of the world
DECATUR, BUCHANAN, SCHLEY.
Not only on land have the sons of
Maryland shed luster upon the name of
their native State. but On the water
they have also acquired glory. The
names of Decatur, Buchanan and
Schley will be known and cherished so
long as American history shall remind
coming generations of the great deeds
of illustrious heroes.
'Of Stephen Decatur we people of
Maryland have especial cause to feel
proud, and no one more than myself.
He was born i'll Maryland, aud indeed
IN the same county as myself. not mauy
miles from where | now reside. 4
contemporary said of him that he was
man of uncommon character, and one
not equaled in million.
ITO another Marylander also | wish
TO allude-Franklin Buchanan. His
beautiful estate. the Rest. on the Miles
river, is yet pointed out to strangers as
the Admiral Buchanan place lie was
born in Baltimore. and had an cvcntful
career. In 1913 he was selected by the
Secretary of the Navy to organize the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. This he
did. and hc had the distinction of be-
coming the first head OF that great in.
stitution.
COMMANDER OF FIRST IRoNCLAD.
"Buchanan's chief distinction, how
ever was attained in the Confederate
Navy. and within few hundred yards
of this very spot He entered the Con-
federate Navy with the rank of captain,
superintendcd the fitting out of the
Merrimac aud commanded her in the
attack on the Federal fleet in Hampton
Roads. when the Cumberland was sunk
aud the Congress blown up.
'For his gallantry he was thanked by
the Confederate Congress aud promoted
To the grade of admiral and made senior
officer of thc Confederate Navy.
Admiral Schley is still living The
events of MS career which have
brought him so prominently before the
public eye and have covered him with
so much glory are of such recent date
that it would be idle even To allude to
them.
FOUR SECRETARIES or THE NAVY.
maryland has also furnished four
men who have borne the responsible
duties of Secretary of the Navy with
distinction aud credit Ii seems to me
singularly fitting for the State uf Mary
land. therefore. to have a namesake in
the navy, because our State has. from
the beginning. when our own McHenry
was Secretary of the Navy, been the
faithful eOnsisfant aHvnData a,d a