The Washington herald., 1909-05-23

Natchez Miss, Nay z.-This has been
the most patriotic day n the history
Of Netchez. The officers Of the United
states ship Mississippi were presented
with q punch bowl. the gift Of Natehez
20 the battle ship.
TIE presentation speech was made by
United States SenstoE-elect John Sharp
Williams. a diversion was ipterjected
into the proceedings by the presentation
Of an American flag captured BY com
pauy OF Confederate cavalry from the
United States gunboat -Petrel in the "a
zoo River On April 2. 1854
This presentation vas made BY Capt
Allen T. Bowie. whose brother, Capt
Joha r Bowie. made the capture. When
Capt Bowie. assisted BY Col. ". A Mont
gomery. Of Edwards, Miss. approached
Capt John G Fremont, Z. S. y, and
gave into his custody the old flag. the
members Of the committee on the stage
and the audience arose and cheered as
these three gray-haired men clasped
hands, holding the flag between them
Union Veteran Cheered.
Another patriotic incident occurred
when Judge Thomas Rober. who also
came to Natchez with the Union army
and has made this city his home, appear
Cd n behalf Of the ladies and chil5ren
OF Nstchez 10 present their gift. so
phOnograph.
Then came another display Of patriotism.
when a class from public schOo! sang
America
It was shortly after u o'clock when
Richard F. Reed. chairman Of the pres
eztation committee, opsRed the pro
gramme. Capt Fremont, OF the battle
ship, and United States senztor-elect
John Sharpe Williams occupied the cen
ter OF the stage
Senator-elect Williams in delivering his
address mentioned the names OF former
President Roosevelt and ex-Secretary OF
Navy Moody as the men who named
the battle ship. ard Admiral Dewey and
Jefferson Davis, which brought forth ire
uendous cheering
The punch bowl stands eighteen inches
IN height It Is made Of hammered copper
and silver appliqued. and gold lined. bear
Ing the inscription. ''U. s s. Mississippi,
from the Citizens OF Natchez. Miss, IN
token of their admiration and pride II
the navy OF their country.
Other Presentation
Another presentation Is TO take place
when fObs and gold watch charms for
the officers and silver for the sailors
viii be presented IN his acceptance
Capt. Fremont cited the presence OF the
battleshlp Mississippi as q demonstration
Of the nayigability Of the Mississippi
River, and an indication OF greater posi-
biliues IN the future. Capt Fremont
called on Gov. Noel. this morning and
the governor returned the visit this az
ternoon.
Many thousands OF persons inspected
the battle ship to-day. The ship IS Iying
near The Louisiana shore. where the wa
ter is only ffty-fve feet deep Capa
Hiner. the river pilot. who brought the
vessel 10 Natchez. is confident OF an
easy return TO the Gulf. Al the banquet
tonight. ex-Congressman Charles E
Hooker, ex-cOlonel c. s. A. spoke O,
America Col W A Montgome~y
toasted What the battle ship Mississippi
Is 20 Mississlppians
Gov. Noel spoke Of Mississippi, a loya
member OF the Sisterhood Of States. q
leader in moral and material progress
Capt Fremont carried the banqueters OF
their feet with his response TO the toast
The navy. the floating bUlWark Of the
nations defense II is without sectional
prejudice, and its patriotism knows ID
boundaries. save those Of the country al
large
Mayer Behrnan, OF New Orleans, urged
fhe inprovement of TIE MIssissippi River