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 launched
last Saturday morning at Newport
News, in 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 to some extent by
the failure of the Maryland to clear the
ways. This hitch, however. was a
trifiing matter. and the ship was sue
cessfully foated ut high tide. In the
afternoon luncheon was served at Old
Point, where several toa>ts were re-
sponded to, Gov .rnor Smith making a
strong and forcible speech
GOVERNOR SMITHS ADDRESS.
sit affords me great pleasure to be
present here to-day on such all agree.
able occasion as that which has brought
us together at this delightful place. AS
a citizen. and as Chief Executive of
Maryland, 1 feel that my State has
been highly honored by having one of
the great ships of war which the Govern
ment of the United States is building
named for her.
II trust if the necessity of the situa-
ton should ever require it, this magnifi.
cent and formidable boat may be as
fortunate in serving the country and in
bringing additional glory to the old flag
as was that other boat named for Mary
lands chief city one bright May day in
the waters of Manila bay. 1t 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 the State of Maryland. The
State of Maryland is indeed proud of
her namesake, the latest addition to the
United States Navy, the armored
cruiser Maryland.
MARYLAND'S SERVICE TO THE NATION.
Il thank the Government for thus
complimenting my native State. And
I say it is appropriate that this should
be done. because Maryland was one of
the ID original States that fought for
the Union and made it 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 in
forming 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 in Maryland, and indeed
in the same county as myself. not many
miles from where l now reside. A
contemporary said of him that he was
man of uncommon character, and one
not equaled in IA million.
ITO another Marylander also I 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 He was
born in Baltimore. and had an eventful
career. In 1915 he was selected by the
Secretary of the Navy to organize the
Naval Academy at Annapolis. This he
did, and he 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 i'll the Confederate
Navy, and within few hundred yards
of this very spot. He entered the Con.
federate Navy with the rank of captain,
superintendent the fitting out of the
Merrimac and commanded her in the
attack on the Federal fleet in Hampton
Roads, when the Cumberland was sunk
and the Congress blown up.
"For his gallantry he was thanked by
the Confederate Congress and promoted
to the grade of admiral and made senior
officer of the Confederate Navy.
admiral Schley is still living. The
events of his 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 OF THE NAVY.
"MaryL,nd has also furnished four
men who have borne the responsible
duties of Secretary of the Navy with
distinction and credit. 1t seems to me
singularly fitting for the State OF Mary.
land, therefore. to have namesake in
the navy, because our State has, from
the beginning. when our own McHenry
was Secretary of the Navy, been the