The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-21
GIFT TO BATTLESH|P
VIRGINIA is MADE
Lieut. Gov. E1lyson Makes Pre-
sentation Speech on Behalf
of Mrs. Elyson.
READS INTERESTING LETTER
Party Entertained on Board the
Warship, and. Lunch Served
ii Adnliral's Quarters.
READS INTERESTING LETTER

A notable episode in the history of
the battleship Virginia was the pre-.
sentation yesterday at 1880 r. NJ, by
Lteutenant.G Governor ]. Taylor Ely
son. on behalf OF Mrs. Ellyson, OF a
ref ctoscopc and moving picture ma.
chine. recently purchased by her In
New York City, she having raised
the necessary amount while at will
Iloughby Beach last summer by appeals
to number of private individuals. In
terestsd like herself, In providing for
the entertainment and pleasure OF the
sailors.
Mrs. Fllyson went to Norfolk Mon
| day evening, and las been the guest
there since OF Mrs. James Hubbard. She
was Joined yesterday b. a party Of
Richmond friends, 6ho went wifi, her
and the lieutenant Governor in the
government launch, under the escort
OF Chaplain George y. 4. Stevenson, to
the Portsmouth naVy-yard, where the
Virginia lay.
The day was extremely pleasant and
the battleshtp, with her men lined
up on the decks. presented an animated
and picturesque scene.
Captain Schroeder, OF the Virginia,
and Mrs Berry, the wife OF Admiral
Berry. OF the navy-yard, were waiting
at the gangway to welcome Lieuten-
ant Governor and Mrs Ellyson and
their friends.
Gathered on the deck were Miss
Berry. Mrs. Berry's niece, Mrs. Stevens
son. the wife OF Chaplain Stevenson;
Mrs. Laird, the wife OF Ensign Laird,
and others. who, Will, the ships OH
Gers did everything in their power to
testify to their appreciation OF what
Mrs. Ellyson had done sfor the credit
NJ x,1%e n !, ~ &of
the sailorM q
group formed around Lieutenant
Governor Ellyson on the deck. The
officers and men stood Immediately
back of this group. when he made the
presentation in Mrs. Ellysons name.
by saying:
Governor Ellyson's Speech.
Captain Schroeder, Ladies and Gentle
men:
I am glad to be here to-day. come
not In my official capacity as Lieuten-
ant Governor. but as yirginian, at
the command of noble Virginia wo-
man. whom 1t has been my pleasure
for many years to obey. and who finds
her greatest delight in making other
people happy.
This occasion will be an epoch
marking event in the history of the
:Battleship Virginia. We have assem-
bled to do honor to her crew. to put
the emphasis of our appreciation upon
the man behind the guns, whose con-
<stancy to duty. loyalty to the flag and
love Of country have made possible
those glorious naval victories that
have given an. immortality of fame to
John Paul Jones. Perry, Decatur. Far
ragntt. Dewey and nanysothers equally
illustrious. whose names adorn the
brightest pages OF American history.
1t Is always to me- an interesting
thought that the two books which
give the clearest and most interesting
view OF army life during the Civil
War were written by two privates
both artillerymen, by the way--tlle one
on Army Life in the Army Of the Po-
tomac." by Private Wilkinson. of one
other on army Life in the Army or
Northern Virginia. by Private Carl
ton Mccarthy. of the Second Company.
Richmond Hcwitzers. This is not
strange. They knew by experience.
that best of all schools, TIL story each
had to tell.
The man that Is willing to go forth
to do battle for his country should
have In him the aspiration for lofty en-
deavor. and If he uses his opportunities
we'll Will aspire to nobler and better
clared that duty was the subl.mest
word In the English language" He
was7.right. You doubtless many times
find your tasks very irksome, hut re.
member that In acting we'll your
part there all the honor les and that,
after all, we must find our. highest sat
isfaction in the consciousness OF duty
faithfully performed.
But I must not forget what came
here to do. and can best make that
clear by reading you letter recently
sent by Mrs Ellyson to In intimate
friend Of hers and Confederate gen
eral. This letter explains fully the
work she has accomplished and her
reasons for raising the fund to. pur-
chase the glft she brings you to-day.
The letter says:
Mrs. Ellyson's Letter.
10 East Franklin Street,
Richmond. Va, October 16. 1907.