The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-25
THE BEAUTIFUL SILVER SERVICE IS
 PRESENTED TO THE WARSHIP ALABAMA

bears. One of the loveliest types or the intellectual womanhood of Alabama, tne accomplished daughter of our distinguish- ed Chairman. has written wonder, In short but all-embracing phrase, the LTD. ute of our peoples love. and l would not undertake the futile task of painting the lily or gliding refined gold Adopt ing her language, then, l give you tne I. From the loyal hearts of the people of Alabama to the U. $. Battleship Ala bama, whose officers and men protect the honor of our country in peace and war.
 Accept this silver service as tails manic token to keep you ever under heath the star of victory and fortune
 Sail on, queenIy Alabama. nor fear to breast the waves. In the Orient and Tn the Occident tell over and over again or the untarnished glory of this land of the brave and home of the free. And when, perchance, your star studded flag shall kiss the breezes in far distant seas, when the stern challenge shall come in tones of thunder from the guns of a foreign foe. let the Battle Hymn of the Repup- lie usher in the deadly conflict and when your enemy shall strike his colors' let there sound across the seas the sur ring strains of Yankee Doodle, blend ing with the immortal melodies of ''Dixie' and swelling into the majestic diapson of the Star SpangIed Banner" until the tidings of your victory snail flash sympathetic spark in every loyal heart And then the proud people of the old State whose name you bear. anlmat- ed by the mingled patriotism of the Purl- tan and the Cavalier woven through a thousand years in the loom of Anglo Saxon genius. will utter fervent prayer for our common country, that 1t may move
 Onward and ever on,
 Till the voice of despair is stilled;
 Till the haven of peace is won,
 And the purpose of God fulfilled.
 frhufe of Major Robinson to the beloved and lamented Semmes many tears were shed among those who were near akin to him and those in the private box set apart for his direct family were viSIbly affected.
 Colonel Russell introduced Captain Da- wis o1 the Alabama, Mno, ln accepting the handsome SeI vice, saIu il was lndeed S.auhcation to him.
 in accepting this service as a proof of your full trust reposed in us he said.
 we do so with unfeigned pleasure Ihe Alabama is vessel of the highest ana grandest type of the builders skill, and Ala bamians might well be proud ot her
 He spoke of England being mistress of the sea for an hundred years. The united States is prepared to test her right to the title. The Alabama, he said, at present repI esents one-twelfth of the strength of the present navy. Yet, he said, this is but the beginning of new era for Amer ica. In conclusion, he referred to the fact that for many years he. as an or ncer or the navy, hHeW Ol tile lilolhSl- ence of the people to the navy, but this occasion induced him to believe that another feeling has come over them. When. as commander of the Montgomery, he acted in a similar capacity, he with lis officers and men, numbered every citizen Of Mobile and Montgomery as their personal friends. The same, he assured them, could be said of the battieship Alabama.
 The silver epegrue presented by Major E. O. Zadek to the Daughters of the American Revolution and in turn pre- sented by them to the battleship Ala versmith's art, was with the silver ser vice and attracted much attention.
 Too much praise cannot be given Pc lice Chief c. w. Soost and his efficient aides in the excellent manner in which they performed their respective duties du- ring the rush for seats, while the gen. eral committee and distinguished guests were being escorted from the cotton ex- change to the theatre and during the im- portant ceremony. Through his careful | guidance and the strict carrying out of l his instructions there was not a single | hitch. and to him and his policemen great | credit was due from the general commit | tee and public generally.
 | Prior to the presentation in the theatre | and after Miss Maribel Williams. with | her lady friends had been comfortably | seated in their box. a representative of | the Mobile Press Club visited the box | and on behalf of that organization, pre- | sented to the sponsor a handsome floral
 design in the shape of basket of Eas- | ter lilies and maiden hair ferns, the | whole standing some four feet high. Miss
 Williams later rendered her thanks to