Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-15

HoNCNCl, dSStiiiSt tiIC
of ''Old Ironsides'' shows that if we are
an intensely practical people. we are. at
the same time, keenly responsive to
all that appeals with especial force to
the sentimental side of our natures.
The fight for the future preservation
of "Old Ironsides'' is by no means n
new question:, it goes back to the sos.
when the famous old frigate was ap-
parentiy doomed to the junk heap. 1t
was then that Oliver Wendell Holmes
from the Harvard Medical School sent
forth his famous poem:
Old lronsides.
AYE, tear her tattered ensign down,
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rang the battle shout
And burst the lannon's roar,
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more.
"Her deck, once red with heroes blood,
Where knelt the vanQuished foe,
When winds were hurrying over the flood
And waves were white below.
No more shall feel the victors tread,
Or know the conquered knee;
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea-
ooh, better that her shattered bulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunder under shock Shock the tn mi might deep
Nail to the mass her holy flag
Set every threadbare SAIL
And give her to the goa of storm
The lightning and the gale
;e, doubtful &c op,, poap, vt-biob boc
ever been published in this country
appealing to public opinion on matter
of current interest ever met with such
a prompt response. a great wave of
patriotism swept over the land, and, as
a result. the famous old conqueror of
the Guerrero the Java, the Cyane and
the Levant, was largely rebuilt and put
into new commission. In the seventies
and eighties, public sentiment lost sight
of this famous old ship. ard she was
| fast falling into decay, but through the
efforts of public-s spirited citizens she
| was removed from Portsmouth, n. H.
| to CharlestOwn, Mass, and thoroughly
| Overhauled and repaired. From time to
time, since she came to Boston. appeals
| have been made for appropriations
| from Congress to keep the famous old
frigate in repair but with little success.
| Only last year, the Massachusetts His
| torical Society addressed a long memo
rial to Congress in behalf of the vessel,
but without any practical response.
The value of the Constitution it seems
| to us Is vastly more than a sentimental
one. 1t is real, practical force in
keeping alive that spirit of patriotism,
that pride in the achievements of our
naval heroes, which is a valuable and
impershable part of our national heri-
tage. The ole ship that lies at anchor
lage off the Charlestown navy yard is
| the visible link that connects us with
| that famous old navy which brought
imperishable renown to our country
and made her name respected on the
high seas while the nation was yet in
its infancy.
In it's present location, it is the mecca
for thousands of visitors who tread its
decks and imbibe the inspiration of
that spirit of high courage and patri-
Otism of devotion; to country and of
daring seamanship which envelopes it
like an atmosphere of the past. 1t may
be true that most of the material that
enters into the Constitution of the pres
ent day had no part in her original
construction, but it is true that the
original lines are still left and that she
is still as much the "Old Ironsides' of
history. as the man of today is the de-
Veloped boy of yesterday. General
Winfield Scott of New York in writing
to the Washington Post. suggests that
this vessel should be rebuilt, stick and
thread complete. safely and finally in
stalled at the American Capital. to be
, the shrine of our choicest relies. the
chaiice of our sailors, the inspiration oil
every American sentiment"
The suggestion is a worthy one and
1t is sincerely hoped that it may receiy.
the favorable attention of Congress.
The Russian government has ar
ranged to commence service of moto
.afS IN the Persian districts of Tabriz