The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-17

mand an enormous indemnity, but In
stead, balmed the wounds of our fall
| en- foe with a contribution of 20 mil
| lion dollars, the purchase price of ner
possessions. l remember the incid ent
related by Captain Hobson of the 30
| 900 people who came out at our invita-
! ton from the beleagured city of San
| tiago while our siege was yet on 20
| be fed with United States rations.
remember our country's generosity IN
refusing to accept our share Of M
demnity growing out of the suppress
sion of the boxer war. And I say %
you that you may search the annals
of war from the dawn of time to the
present and you will find nothing so
sublime as those simple recitals.
New Standard for Nations.
We have set up a new standard sor
the nations We must maintain that
standard. 1t is a standard of resistlass
power in war and of magnificent gem
crosby in peace. We must DE, which
believe God has set us apart among
the nations to be, the arbiter of the
worlds difficulties. Under the leader
ship OF our great president we meas
ured up to this great mission in help
ing to conclude an honorable peace
between Japan and Russia. We must
continue to be the peace-maker of the
world and in order to fulfill this high
mission we must have the greatest
navy that plows the seas. This does
not seem extravaganza. 1t means econ
omy. 1t does not mean war, 1t means
peace.
With this high conception of your call
ing, gentlemen of the navy, l bring you
this heartfelt message from the Sunflow-
er state. We count it great honor that
this magnificent battleship is to bear the
name of Kansas. In recognition of this
honor our legislature provided this beau
tiful silver service. and as the governor
of this rich, proud commonwealth, have
been commissioned to commit to your
keeping this token of the appreciation we
feel in our heart of hearts that the name
Of our state is to be borne abroad en-
blaZoned upon this great battleship. The
seal of our state is stamped upon all these
handsome pieces of silverware, and we
trust the motto of our state, ITO the stars
through difficulties may inspire officers
and crew in every emergency. You will
observe that upon every piece is stamped,
also. the floral emblem of Kansas, the
cheerful, optimistic sunflower whose face
is ever turned toward the sun, an example
which are sure will ever be emulated
by the officers and crew of our great
Gentlemen. we will watch with eager
interest the career of the ship that bears
our name. We trust that this ship will be
a promoter of peace and that its great
guns may never be compelled to contrib
exigencies of history should decree other
wise. we expect every man on the battle
conflict is over, we expect a repetition of
Perry's message: we have met the enc
my and they are ours.
Lines by James l.. King
Gentlemen, let me close with these |
beautiful original lines handed me just
before leaving Topeka by gifted Kansas
League upon league. beyond the shore of
But never absent from the home skyline, |
Shall sail the Kansas battleship.
Far coasts she'll roam, and alien waters |
ride;
Unto her banner, breaking on the air.
The flags of other lands shall dip salute; |
Her daily log a sibyl's leaf shall be,
the RANT Kansas breeze shall |
A worlds reprieve from wrong. Races and
Across her Prov shall Droffer friendly
Her turrets. lifting high, shall at the
Reflect ie tt the flaunty Kansas sun; her. main
shall be a western star, whose |
Shall gladden. every cline, and gid anew
The dulcet Kansas trump of fame.
Sail on, oh ship of splendid grade and /
Empress press of oceans, queen of all the seas.
With hope from above, with courage of
Thy thousand-crew. thy hundred ranging
Shall stand Alright, and victors be through
Of man for man. Out of the prairie
The meadow green. and field of golden
rod. -
Sand aIphon shall weave a garland o&peace
With silken cord and threads of royal tint |
To Irvine in glory at thy dauntless mast. |
Sail on. oh ship of happy kansas-land!
The heart of patron state shall keep thee
And in thy ample store of human good
The god of war shall hide his broken
There's something potent in name.