The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-03-11

spent in vain.
Those who were on the steamers and
could sail near the fleet, were granted a
most imposing spectacle Twenty two
warships, all in one port, is sight never
before seen, and it must certainly have
inspired the witnesses with a sublime
feeling of patriotism. for there is no
more inspiring sight than a long column
of well drilled fighting ships. We can
not question the acts of Providence else
it would be hard to understand why the
sun could not shine on that day of all days,
and why we poor unfortunates on land
must only view in imagination this grand
naval parade, the like of which NAV
never come within our reach again
But while we could not all witness the
arrival itself, abundant opportunity has
since been given for seeing the whole
fleet at anchor in all its glory.
Ispent most delightful day February
26th, on the steamer Luray, going to Old
Point, touching at Hampton and return
ing to Norfolk; thus sailing in and about
the fleet, and feeling almost as if we
were one of them. The weather was de-
lightful and the spectacle one ever to be
remembered. We were not able to dis
tinguish all the different ships by name,
as the names are not very conspicuous,
and had not learned my lesson well
enough to tell them by the number of
smoke stacks, etc. We distinguished the
flagship Connecticut; and felt especial
ly interested in the Maine, in her dress Of
leaden grey | cannot but feel sorry
that the American navy is to lose its
distinctive color of white and buff and
fade into dingy grey.
AS we returned to Norfolk the Mimi
esota and Virginia steamed alongside on
their way to the Norfolk navy yard, and
when they leave there they also will have
left their beauty behind and become
grim, grey spectres of the sea.
The illumination of the fleet at night,
/ can only leave to your imagination, the
sight beggared description. The ships,
brilliantly lighted, formed two half circles
from Old Point beginning with the flag
ship Connecticut 1t was most interest
ing to watch the signalling by the flash
ing lights from ship to ship and wonder
ing what story they told, but the Ian
guage was unknown to me, as was also
the wigwagging of the flags in the day
time, which l enjoyed watching.
Saturday was the end Of f1eet-week and
was crowded day in Norfolk more people
being on the street than at any time dur
ing the jamestown exposition, or ever
before. Thousands of cheering people
from curbs to roof tops watched the
parade of blue jackets and soldiers.
There were two thousand jack tars with
their officers, and three thousand soldiers
and sailors of the nation marched with
them. 1t was indeed grand sight and
felt my blood tingling with pride that
was an American. l noticed that the
sailors marched better and kept better
lines than the soldiers. didn' t realize that
the jack tars were not as pleased to be
| reviewed as we were to watch them until
overheard one of them say, don't say
parade to me, we have been paraded and
marched about until the word makes me
tired. y Following the parade were lunch
cons, receptions to the officers, ETC., it
all ending in hurrah finish at night with
a two-mile long procession of flag trim
med automobiles, floats and decorated
wagons and vehicles of many kinds. The
crowd, such as Norfolk has not known in
years, if ever, was a good-natured one,
bent on doing honor to the pride of the
nation on parade. The whole week has
been one to inspire patriotic feeling in
all true Americans, and Norfolk certainly
has given the world-girdling fleet right
royal welcome home.
CORA EAMEs.
A RELIGIO US AUTHORS STATEMENT.
Rev. Joseph H. Fesperman, Salisbury, N. C..
who is the author of several books, writes:
''For several years was afflicted with kidney
trou BILE and last winter was suddenly stricken
with severe pain in my Kidneys and was
confined to bed eight days unable to get ur
without assistance. My urine contained {
thick white sediment and passed same fire..
quently day and night. l commenced taking
Foley's Kidney Remedy, and the pain gradu.
ally abated and finally ceased and my urine be.
came normal. ! cheerfully Recommend
Foley's Kidney Remedy" Sold by all drug
gists.