The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-08-19
he gathering and made a fictitious

the gathering and made a fictitious
address,
Mr.. Simmons said that the occa-
sion OF the retirement of Rear Admir-
81 Evants was to be deeply regretted,
hrst because Of the i'll health which
compelled Sm to surrender the chief
commanL xe. greatest feet of bat
tlesnips ever made a tour
miral's briliian.A o. terminates mil @
under the law o. &c. .xty-second
birthday, and the h. q ,es one
OF its most experienced cat a
time, when In building Ip> ek, .w
navy his professional services ,uld
be Of inestimable value.
II was appropriate, Mr.. Simmons
said, that the retirement Of Rear Ad-
miral Evans should be celebrated in
the Temple Of Peace" created by the
Mohong Society Of ePace years ago,
because, while Rear Admiral Evans
had Justly won the title of "Fighting
Bob Evans" he is on outspoken, in
sistent and persistent fighter for
peace.
Now that we have become a world
power" said the speaker, "and now
that our domestic affairs, as we'll as
our responsibilities in the Philip
pines. at Panama, In Hawaii, in Cuba
and Porto Rico, subject us to con-
stant danger from the Jealous and
ambitious aggressions of great naval
establishments in Europe as we'll as
In the Orient, It stands to reason that
both prudence and duty now demand
that we do precisely what our kins-
men in the British Isles long ago
found absolutely necessary to their
self preservation"
In conclusion Mr.. Simmons said:
I'VE welcome you, Admiral Evans, to
the shade of private life. We hope
your health will be speedily and per-
manently re-established, and we wish
for you and for your family all the
sweetest blessings. of prosperity and
happiness"
Presidents Letter.
President Roosevelt, who was un-
able to attend the ceremonies, sent
the following congratulatory letter:
Oyster Bay, N. Y,
August 15, 1908.
my dear Mr.. Simmons:
II thank you for your kind invita-
tton. It is not possible for me to
accept. much to my regret. Through
you may l convey to the guests as
sembled by cordial sympathy with
their purpose, and to Rear Admiral
Robley D. Evans, in particular, let me
renew the assurance of the high re-
gard and esteem which he already
knows hold for him. His has been
one of the most honorable careers of
our public service. All good Ameri-
cans owe him debt Of gratitude. In
a particular degree his name typifies
the growth of our navy from the days
OF Farragut to the day when Admiral
Evans himself brought into the Paci-
fic waters the mightest war feet that
had ever appeared west Of Magellan
or east on Suez, commanding this
F'feet during the first period Of a voy-
age ssuch sas no other feet Of the kind
OF any nation has ever taken. It Is
eminently appropriate thst the recer
tion of Admiral Evans should be CIV
en- in what you we'll call 'vertiable
temple Of peace" for the United
States navy is the best guarantee of
peace we have, and all men who be-
lieve In the peace of justice throdgh-
out the world should do everything
that In them lies to maintain and
build up this navy.
Sincerely yours,
Theodore Roosevelt"
Admiral Evans replied to the ad-
dresses and congratulations in the a
feeling manner. He said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: In one re-
spect at least naval officers are exact
ly like any other worthy servants of
the people-they are glad when they
have pleased their employers. From
what / have heard and seen here to-
night, 1t seems that during my forty
eight years of actual service l have
given satisfaction to you who may
fairly be assumed to represent the
people of the United States-my en-
ployers. have not the necessary
words with when to thank you for
what you have tonight done for me.
Please accept my sincere thanks for
the beautiful cup, which will be pre-
served and valued by those of my
family who survive me.
ut may not be out Of place for me
to say that during my korty-elghe
years of service, have done all in
my power to uphold the honor and
dignity of my country, and that have
loved the dear old flag as I love moth
ing else in this world. That I have
suffered severely under that flag must
be evident to any one who sees me,
but would live my life over again
just as have lived It If knew the
suffering was to be q thousand times
as great. I go to the retired list with
a feeling that it is reward for long
and honorable service, and l hape
to enjoy the rest and comfort 1t may
bring, unless some emergency shall
call me back into active services,
when l shall give all that remains of
me to my country as willingly as
have given the best years Of my man
hood.
II thank you again most sincerely
for the courtesy you have shown me"
Spanish Gunnery.
The occasion reviewed some Of the
old stories Of his fighting days. The
other day friend asked him: "Ai-
miral. 10 there any truth that after