New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-31

navy of the United States, because such man,
If he is worth his salt has learned certain quail
ties which double and treble his value IN any
position IN which he may be placed.
We owe it TO ourselves and TO the nation OF
which we are part to see to 1t that that mans
capacity for good is given the fullest chance
for development. TO see to 1t that he has every
opportunity to lead a wholesome and moral
life.
DUTY IN PEACE AND WAR,
Much as believe in the work OF the Young
Mems Christian Association, believe In 1t most
when 1t takes such shape as this. And now !
say to you men that on you heavy RESPONSE
bility rests. because 1t depends on the way you
do your duty in peace, whether, should ever the
need OF war arise, our flag shall receive credit
discredit at your hands or at the hands Of
your successors. 1 cannot too often say to civil
ians what every naval man knows, that In battle
those who win those who prepare best be-
forehand. There are men here who fought at
Manila under Dewey, men who fought off San
tiago.
Now In both places we won. and won
hands down. We won because the shots that
hit were those that counted, because the men in
our ships knew how to handle them alone and in
squadron. knew how to get out Of them the best
that was in them, and knew how to do decent
shooting. 1 want it to be noted that said
decent shooting, and not first class shooting. I
think most of you are doing first class shooting
now | would be mighty ashamed OF You If you
weren't doing better than you did.
Nothing has given Americans better cause for
satisfaction than the way target practice has
gone Up IN the navy, until l think we can say
that there are certain gun crews and certain in
dividual gun pointers who have reached as high
degree OF excellence as it is possible to reach.
More and more our people are waking up TO
the need of navy, and, in view Of events hap
pening all over the world think we count
on Congress to continue to build up our navy.
II certainly WILL If can persuade IL. It is all
important to have ships the best in hull, the
best in armor and the best in armament OF any
nation in the world.
There is something more important than this.
Jhough. and that Is the character OF you men
and your comrades IN the navy, You can do
nothing without proper training but the train
ing won't count for much If you haven't got the
right stun In you. I believe in the United States
navy, because believe in the intelligence. the
patriotism and the fighting edge OF the average
man in that navy.
SPLENDID COURAGE OF SAILORS.
He referred to the recent accident on the Mis-
souri,, when every man stood at his post for
twenty minutes, knowing that at any moment
the ship might blow up. He said It made them
confident and that the men behind the quick
fire guns would hit any torpedo boat that came
toward them. He declared that IT was his belief
that the greater the punishment on board ship
the straighter the sailors would shoot back.
He pointed out that after the Missouri accident
1t was the turn Of the Texas to go out TO target
practice The men know OF the danger that had
Just come to the Missouri through using the
big guns. yet they went out and made the best
record at Inat time.
Lamentable and terrible though that accident
was, there We're things connected with II TO
make every American feel sense of proud con-
hdence In the officers and enlisted men in whom
Uncle Sam confides his honor When that acct
dent occurred there were fully twenty minutes,
when every man on board the ship knew that at
any moment the ship might sink. Yet there
wasn't a touch Of nervousness among the men,
there was no sign OF any one being rattlad. Each
man went TO his quarters and stayed there.
You had the GOODNESS and the fighting edge.
Too much can't be said to impress on you the
all-important work you are doing Even II you
never go INTO battle You create q spirit that
makes those coming after you feel able to do
their duty The time of peace Is the time TO
make ready for war. don't think we VIII have
any war II we have good enough navy Every
trst-class record you make at target practice
Is positive provocaton 70 peace.
At the sands-st. branch the reception meeting
included; Miss Helen Miller Gould. Seth Low,
Admiral Coghlan, Jerard Beekman, General
Frederick Dent Grant. Thomas Potts. D. w Nc
Williams, ]. J. McCook. Admiral sigsbee.
Francis H. Stuart. DIR. and Mrs. T. L Cuyler.
81 Clair McKelway, Edwin Packard, Professor
l. T. Hasorouck Charles E. Teale. Darwin r.
James starr j. Murphy. Roger a Pryor. J. Y.
Meserole' samuel Rowland. r. Ross Appleton.
s. D. Scudder and David A. Body
From Sands-st It was a mad rush 10 the ferry,
for the Washington train TO which the Presi-
uei'' eaf was attached. In a hundred ways