Putnam patriot., 1909-05-28
Batting Averages (. A. |.
The Heroes of inc Great Peace Fleet

I5onin LII Eilotte II .07l The Heroes of inc Great Peace Fleet.
 The ttitDe .is coming when the full Import of the voyage Of the fleet of American battieshtps around the world will be realized by our own people. It has fe9oiulloniled the conceptions of lhe enlightened people of the European governments. and impressed sense of ave, combined with admiration, on the Iess enlightened natives of Asia and Afflen. Ii WAS not alone caused by the manifestation 0f the wonderful physi- cal power possessed by this country, bat also the unusual mofal and intelll- gent bearing and spirit displayed by tie men who SD ably handled with skill Those immense leeiathans of power, and were 10 gentle and frankly friend ly In their personal intercourse, and towards ali people they met, as II they recognized no classes. To the simple minded natives ibat indicated a supe- nor race to any they had hitherto met.
 The fleet, though possessed of des- tfnellve power, was recognized as fo.ce to be used Tn the cause of peace and good Will towards men, and To defend the weak against the lawless- ness Of nations wherever manifested.
 That was the great lesson taught by that marvellous display of strength and eepted the lesson and aeknow ledged It's importance. The voyage of the fleet will yet be aeknow ledgcd as one of the greatest achievements for arousing the nobler attributes oi humanity that the worlds history records.
 We'll may Il be believed that soon il will be regarded being as great an ho- nor to have been one who sailed with that fleet IN to have been victor in any of the great battles of the world.
 Even now, when n returned sailor fr1n tie fleet comes home 10 his native place, his friends and acquaintances regard him with unusual respect as en- titled hum, In some way, to the honor Of the great achievement accomplished by the renowned fleet, which he reflect ed on his native place.
 Two of the sailors from the warships recently came home to Putnam and received oS ations, of which they,thcm- selves were unconscious of deserving. They each had been on a grand voyage round the world. and had enjoyed the fine experience, hnt had really done nothing, al least any thing to win any praise,
 fhis week We had the pleasure ot meeting at thr home of Mr. G.A. Ham. mend, Maiot Dion Williams, an officer attached to the oatlleship Connecticut, who had niade the great voyage to his intense efaufeatien. But when asked what pal eg the world en his efeat sayage afforded himthe most pleasufeY Getting back to my native land. was his reply Not, however, that he had been indifferent to the strange scenes aad peoples that he had come across, which had afforded hun deep integest aud information, in most every spot.
 He realized the important service the fleet had done his own country by the voyage, and for the good of the world. Our government has been elevated to the highest rank, he says, in the es- timatioa of all nations, and can never lose it's high prestige.
 From Mr Hammond We learn few incidents of Major Williams history He was born In Ohio, his forefsthers heing Connecticut people. He entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis at an early age. After graduating he re. eeived his commission and entered the uass as a marine officer. and WAS grad ually promoted aatil he attained the rank of Maiol
 on show duty the Major has served at New London, Boston. Brooklyn. N. Y. san Francisco and Newport train. ing schoai,
 lie wns with Dewey al Manila, aud, with his marines, raised the inst Ame- flean lag
 He did skiEmlsh duty among the isl- aAHsS, gasmg ashefe ta ai>petse ambush ga squads ef tae enemy. He Nas ~es nIef Aasne ti8sseNt og lhe fleet of Id battir>hips sSHIeh eimled the world. Nhea an share | command turns oat ] l.AI men,
 lis acquaintance with Mir. Ham, :aond and iaaaiA is aa interesting in- eideag. Sa,ae twenty Wears ago, whiis stationed si New t.oaaoa. the Major became acquainted wsla the daughter ot the lals e'al. Ames, whom he suhse- quently married. They were warm fFlsnes og Mf. Hammona's daagleF, and ffaal taas sla4e tas Eyleaasalp has eOA.gaasa.