Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-04-06
AFTER THE LAUNCHING.

The successful launching OF the
battleship Virginia at Newport News
Yesterday was noticed in the Gazette OF
that day. The day was gala one in
Newport News, the city being crowded
and many State troops being present to
take part in the parade. After the
launching the christening party and dis
tinguished guests were conveyed across
to Old Point Comfort, where at the
Hotel Chamberlin, the pOst-launching
banquet vas held.
The banquet was one OF the most
brilliant in the history OF the shipyard.
Covers were laid for 1926 guests. Presi-
dent G.. b. circuit acted as POSTMASTER.
The first toast was "The President of
the United States" to which Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Charles H. Oar
ling responded He declared that the
office of President was above that of any
prince, king or potentate because 1t
represented the free choice Of O,OOO,-
600 persons,
Rear-Admiral Peter +. Harrington,
commandant of the navy yard at Nor
folk. responded TO the toast ''The
Navy: Her Strength the Best Guarantee
of Peace" The Admiral compared the
old Delaware OF the ancient navy with
the Virginia, saying that the ship
launched today would be able to defeat
thousand ships like that of the
famous old frigate. When he included
Robert z. Lee in his tribute to great
Virginians the audience applauded so
vigorously that he could not proceed for
some minutes.
Virginia the Glory of Her Past
Lights the Way to the Future" was the
sentiment to which Gov. A. J. MOnta-
que responded. His address was a gem.
Virgiuia's name, he said, had been
identified with the progress of human
liberty since the world began making
history. She was for free government
aud had the skeleton Of one outlined be-
fore the pilgrims touched Plymouth
Rock. From the Bacon rebellion to
AppOmattox her sons had played a
heroic part in every struggle for Lmeri-
can independence and tho advancement
of civilization. Over 200 battles had
been fought on her soil, "and" said the
governor, 'the American flag never
suffered defeat except when the soldiers
OF the Old Dominion were fighting
against it. This commonwealth can
never be against that flag again. Have
we not spilled enough common blood on
the common soil to make us a common
people, now and forever? The Ameri-
can navy is the supreme expression of
national power and national union, and
if the hour ever comes dark, when the
nation needs strong arms to support it
and brave mean to protect her and carry
her flag to glory and safety, the men of
Virginia will do it and do it WELL" The
governor closed with prophetic forecast
of Virginia's commercial and industrial
development.
R. G. Bickford spoke on "Our Mer-
chant Marine atPresent Largely in Pros |
pect." He declared that Americans an
nually contribute to the maintenance OF
the auxiliary navies Of foreign nations
enough to build 80 vessels like the Vir-
ginia. Naval decadence, he said, went |
hand in hand with the decline of the !
merchant marine.
President George w. Stevens, of the
and Ohio,RailrOad Company,
spoke briefly, telling of the growth of
he State. He proposed the health of
Mr.. circuit, who in turn proposed the
health OF General Superintendent Post.
Mr.. Post in turn proposed the health of
MS assistants, and the affair broke up in
1 mutual admiration society at o clock