Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-10
OLD NAVY AND THE NEW
Chief Address Of Gen. Porter
at Chicago Banquet
BY MERCHANTS CLUB
ADMIRAL DEWEY PERSUADED TO
SAY A FEW WORDS.
Growth of the Country and the Condi-
ton Of Its Maritime Defenses
Briefly Outlined.

CHICAGO, December 9.-Three hundred
me mbers of the Merchants, Club and invited
guests were In attendance at banquet
given tonight by the organization, at VIII CHI
Admiral George Dewey and Gen. Horace
Porter were the guests of honor. The
chief address of the evening was delivered
by Gen Porter, who spoke on THE Old
Navy and the New
Admiral Dewey was persuaded to speak
a few words although he declared upon his
arrival in the city that he had only ac-
eepted the invitation on the assurance that
he would not be expected to make a
speech
When President Charles Walker of the
club introduced Gen. Porter. in speech in
which he alluded to the services of the gen.
eral in war and the excellent record he
had made ambassador to France, the
guests rose and cheered Justify. Gen. Por-
ter said in part:
Our Naval Achievements.
My purpose is not to give you the his
tory of the United States navy; that would
compel me to carry you through all the in
cdents included in record of heroism from
Paul Jones to his legitimate successor.
George Dewey. / will only speak generally
OF what the navy has accomplished. its
matchless gallantry and its necessity to the
country
The speaker then briefly sketched the con-
ditfon of the navy at the outbreak of the
revolution and its condition at the com
mepcement of the war. of 1912, and told of
the neglect that had been the part of the
Navy Department until about twenty years
ago, when the building of the navy was
commenced.
I'VE cannot afford" said Gen. Porter, ito
rest on our laurels while rival nations are
steadily increasing their naval armament.
y 10 ~.
countries continue to build not only pow
erful naval vessels, but at the same time
swift commercial steamers constructed
under government supervision and subject
to service as auxiliary cruisers in time of
war We must not deceive ourselves as
to our relative weakness in this respect.
THE entire world is today naturally
looking to peace The only question is how
to secure It, It has been fully demon
strated that a strong navy is not menace,
but a conservative force. 1t may be dam
gerous when welded by an arbitrary SOW
erelgn, but never when directed by, the
sovereign people
Progression Without Aggression.
I'VE have shown that government may
be progressive without being aggressive;
that people may be military without be-
ing warlike. We have verified our belief
that war should be undertaken only In the
| interest of peace, and that nations pros
perity depends upon public tranquility.
'One of the reasons why have accepted
the presidency of the Navy League of
America was because there is most use
full field for that rapidly increasing organi-
cation, designed TO promote the cause of
maintaining a competent navy and to en-
courage those who enter that honorable
service %'t ss'@ H''5 80
In closing Cen Porter paid an eloquent
tribute to the men of the west who have
enlisted In 1.-The navy. declaring that it was
| no longer necessary to depend on enlist
nlents secured at the seaboard. -
President Wacker then introduced Ad-
miral Dewey, who, after an enthusiastic
greeting, spoke briefly. Il.