Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-11
Of Adm. Lawrence ''Don't
Give Up the Ship"
Is Sentiment and Motto Of Pub
lie Meeting in Boston
Striving to Save "0Id Ironsides" From
an IngIorious End.

Boston, Dec. 9.--"DOn't give I'D the
ship was the sentiment nailed ON the
front of the platform of Faneuil hall
and gave the text to every speaker at
the Public meeting held, Saturday
evening, to protest against the recon-
mendation of Secretary of the Navy
Bonaparte. that the old frigate Consti-
tuition now at Charlestown navy yard
be destroyed.
Several hundred people answered
Acting Mayor Daniel A. Whelton's call
and prominent BostOnians occupied the
platform and several spoke eloquently
for the preservation of the old frigate.
Acting Mayor Whelton opened the
meeting by reading a number of letters
protesting against the recommendation
of the secretary and among the num-
Der was one from former Secretary of
the Navy John d. Long, which was as
follows:
Dec. S, 1905.
My Dear Mr.. Mayor:
| regret very much that am under
engagement for tomorrow evening
which prevents my acceptance of your
kind invitation to me to attend and
speak at the meeting at that time in
Faneuil hall, to protest against Secre-
tary Bonaparte's suggestion to make a
target of odd Ironsides" and destroy
her in that way. l am sure that on
reflection and on learning the intense
feeling of the citizens of Boston and
also, am sure. of the patriotic people
of the whole country, he will modify
his views.
When he made the suggestion
cOnnot think he was aware of the
great number of persons, especially the
young, who visit the ship every year
and to whom it is an inspiring patriotic
stimulus. No time. nor change, nor
wear and tear can make it anything to
the eye or to the heart than the very
same old frigate that fought the
Guerrero and not only won victories
but gave our navy its prestige and to-
day embodies the pride of the United
States in naval achievements more than
any other material thing in existence.
The suggestion shocks every instinct of
Lawrence said: Don't give up the
ship.
Very truly yours,
(SigneO John D. Long.
To Hon. Daniel WheIton, Acting Mayor.
City Hall, Boston.
Former Attorney General Albert f.
Pillsbury of this state was invited to
preside and in his opening remarks he
read communication which he had
received from Secretary BOnaparte in
which the latter stated that the fate
n .hn ~
Gress and that he Bonaparte) did not
wish to take any unauthorized liberties
with The Constitution "and we will sec
that he does not was Mr.. Pilisbury's
comment on the telegram.
The principal speaker of the evening
was DR.. William Everett the we'll
known Quincy pedagogue and former
Congressman, who kept his hearers at
high pitch of patriotic excitement by
his fervent words and historical refer
enccs.
Perhaps DR. Everett's greatest effort
was when he referred to Secretary
Ronaparte's remark that the Constitu-
ton had been so changed and made
over that there was very little left of
the original ship and drew Il smile to
the remarks of the Secretary's ancestor
now repOSing in state on the hanks of
the Seine river Referring to the ven
Grafton with which the entire French
ration regards the remains OF Napoleon
Bonaparte and stating that it is well
Known medically that the physical
structure Of any person undergoes ma
tcrlal changes within q short period, he
asked what would be the feeling if the
President of the French renublic re-
commended that as the BODY of the
great French Emperor that was
brought back from st. Helena was not
that of the victor of Marengo and Aus
terlttZ the person who faced the SHOWS
of Moscow, the general who fought the
battle of Leipsic and the one who was
overthrow at Waterloo. should he
made a target for the rifles of the SOL |
diers of today.
In closing DR.. Everett said: IF the
secretary is ct loss what to do with
the constitution. we will take her. |
Boston and Massachusetts. will buy
her. Send her back to her own people |
VINO will keep her as long as the limited
states exist or the Indian remains m
on the flag of Massachusetts"
Other speakers included Coppress-
man John A. Keliher. State Sonato,
William Raylor and w. w. Dohertv.
OF this city. Mrs. Nelson V Titus
president Of the Daughters Of tho War
of 1872. presented a set Of resoI,,tionS
urging Massachusetts reprasent.tiyec
u aes every ehdeaFor to prevent the
Instruction of the Constitutions