The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-04-26
tors in these two actions are worthy Of

! tors IN these two actions are worthy oil
/ commemoration.
The French do not seem 10 have approved
the plan Of retaining the names Of captures,
although at various times, more especially
In the seventeenth and In the early part OF
the eighteenth century. they came into
possession Of enough ships TO furnish names
for powerful fleet. 1t In also worthy Of
note that while not so very long ago the
President was still to he eeen laid up in the
Sheernees dockyard neither her name nor
that Of any ship captured from us is now
borne upon the British Navy List. II may
firtations and far.sighted overtures Of
friendship. It IL well TO do away with all
sources OF friction with any who may posi-
bly,. In the future, be useful, albeit interested.
sympathizers.
While the Chesapeake IL not on the British
Navy List, the Shannon Is. and presuma-
bly, always will be; then, while dropping tho
Macedonian, why should not we always
have United States? The day may also
come when we will find II rs eesy to give
up the Isla de T.uzon end Reina Mercedes
as the Guerriere and Cyane; certainly to
observe the kindly rule toward one nation
and not to another must exaggerate the
humiliation OF that other.
Our friendly feelings for France. and hers
for us. are in no danger Of being ruffled by
cause. Of the ships captured from her during
the short difficulties that existed the Croy-
able, taken in the summer Of 1893. was re-
captured In the same year; the lnsurgente
was lost at sea, and all other national
cruisers were returned upon the conclusion
Of a treaty OF peace in 1871.
But II would. indeed, he a ouerulous and
exacting friend who could take umbrage at
a nations honoring the splrits who had
moved their ships. And,whether or no. that
les oufres--not in the hunior Of fine irony
which dictated voltaire's celebrated mot
anent the execution Of Admiral Byng. nor
yet to exslt -the strenuous life, but simply
to blaze the way for future endeavor. This
honoring, with Its corollary Of inspiration,
need not be refused to those who, after doing
all that mortal man could do may issue from
the struggle in the unfort innate relation OF
the vanquished. In some defeats there
has been more honor than In some victories.
Our transatlantic cousins have realized
this. Byng. who was brave, but guilty of
serious error Of judgment, was shot after
Minorca, for mot doing his utmost" but
the indomitable Pearson, who. through no
fault Of his own. survived the capture OF his
ship, the Scraps, was knighted; and he
did give to John Paul Jones the opportunity
to say that II he were 80 fortunate as TO fall
In with him again he would make lord Of
him. Decatur, who commanded the Presi-
was overtaken and captured by a British
blockading squadron, is not on account OF
that one whit less entitled 10 every tribute
OF reverence that proud service can bestow;
that misfortune could not outweigh the
glorious achievements OF the Intrepid and
ship Berceau, when brought to action by
the United States ship Boston, much
heavier and more powerful ship. fought for
twenty-five hours, on and on, before sur
rendering he certainly, deserves niche in
cent period, whatever may be the Minis
terial opinion In Spain, the naval world at
large Will not refuse TO render homage TO
the gallant Admiral who. with president
griud In his heart, sailed from home with his
heet when ordered, and. later, as ordered.
steamed forth from Santiago to meet his
DOOM our late adversaries would not 60 far
astray In building a battleship Of the first
class and naming her Cervera.
Given q feet, and given an enemy. history
shows what may be expected Of American
seanen; but II behooves us none the less to
foster the pride which incites to valor, and
combine reward with incentive. realize
at the same time that the navy belongs not
alone to those who constitute II. but TO the
whole country at large which takes such
appreciative interest In IL. Far be 1t from me
TO suggest keeping new names out. But the
interest of individual communities such
a. States and cities may he held, at the same
time that the personnel OF the service may
feel and see some tangible effect OF their
men Of other fleets. when we meet, the
assurance that the history Of our past Ia
not lacking to spur US on In the future. No
country Is 20 rich In heroes as TO afford TO
neglect those who have gone.
The present laws Of Congress provide that
steamships Of the first class, and monitors
OF any class. shall be named after States;
other vessels OF the second class after rivers
and principal cities; and the third Glars as
the President directs The only practicable
mode OF classification IL by displacement,
and. In accordance with that. ships Of more
than 5000 tons are put In the register as OF the
first GLASS sthose between 5000 and 900 tons,
second rates; those between 4 900 and 900
tons, third rates; and all below I 900 tons
fourth rates. Exceptions 10 this general
rule are made In the case Of supply ships and