Evening star., 1909-05-23
Improved Navigation of the River
Urged in the Banquet
Last Night.

Punch Bowl Presented.
The officers Of the Mississippi were to-
day presented with punch bowl the gift
Of Natchez to the battleship. The pres
entation speech was made by United
States Senator-elect John Sharp Williams
Mr.. Williams said:
las complete and crowning testi-
monial Of the sincerity and fervor of this
welcome. captain. you will soon, at Horn
Island. receive as the gift Of the state
herself q silver service with the noble
lineaments engraved upon it of the stead
fast chieftain Of q storm-cradled Confed-
eracy. which has passed not unworthily
into history. AS q partial testimonial I
have the honor today to present these
pieces Of silver. Let them remind you in
distant seas not only Of the duty here
after doubly beholden to be well per-
formed, but Of the sweet land of Dixie,
the fairest part OF the whole earth.
When you meet an enemy's ship-and l
hope you may never have need to meet
one-sink her and then quaff from these
cups toast to victory-victoria Amer
icana-but II she sinks you, as she has
CHANGED to many a brave ship, we'll
handled. then, for the honor of the sweet
women Of Natchez, let these modest
and not become enemy's booty to shame
their name."
The punch bowl stands eighteen inches
In height on q tray SO by "a inches. It
Is made Of hammered copper. silver ap-
pli9ned % and sold lined. bearing the in
''U. 8. g. Mississippi. from the citizens
Of Natchez, Miss, In token Of their ad-
miration and pride in the navy Of their
Tn hiS occontorca A~ort Eraror+ 30 81.
Mississippi cited the presence Of the bat
tleShip Mississippi as a demonstration of
the navigability of the Mississippi river
and an indication of greater possibilities
in the future.
1t was shortly after IL o'clock when
Richard F. Reed. chairman Of the pres
entation committee, opened the program.
Capt. Fremont OF the battleship and
United States Senator-elect Williams oc-
cupied the center of the stage. attended
by Gov. Noel, Mayor Behrman of New
Orleans, Col. w. A. Montgomery Of Ed
wards. Miss; Capt Allen T. Bowie of
Monroe La: Mayor w. G. Benbrook and
the committee.
senator-elect williams, in delivering his
address, mentioned the names of former
President Roosevelt and ex-Secretary
Metcalf, as the men who named the bat
tleship, and Admiral Dewey and Jefferson
Davis. which brought forth tremendous
cheering.
when fobs and gold watch charms for
the officers and silver for the sailors will
be presented.
Return Of a Captured Flag.
A diversion was interjected by the
presentation Of an American flag cap
tured by company of Confederate cav
airy from the United States sunboat
Petrol in the Yazoo river April %, 1864.
This presentation was made by Capt
Allen T. Bowie. whose brother. Capt
John r. Bowie, made the capture.
Every member of the great audience
Of men and women gave q demonstra-
tion of their feelings when Capt. Bowie
and Col w. A. Montgomery of Ed
wards. Miss, approached Capt. John c.
Fremont. L. s. N, and gave into his
custody the old flag. The members Of
the committee on the stage arose to
their feet and the audience stood as
these three gray-haired men clasped
hands, holding the flag between them.
Another patriotic incident occurred
when Judge Thomas Robert, who came
to Natchez with the Union army and
has made this city his home. appeared
in behalf OF the ladies and children OF
Natchez to present their gift. a $3.50
phonograph.
Then came another display Of patriotism
when Prices class Of the public school
sang America" Master Gaillard Con-
nor, aged ten years. dressed as Uncle
Sam, the costume being made of Ameri-
can flags. conducted the nag exercises. :"
the school children repeating the words
as he signaled with the nag.
Capt. Fremont called on Gov. Noel
this morning and the governor returned
1t this afternoon.
Banquet Last Night.
At the banquet last night improved nav
igation on the great highway of COM
merce and the demand and the rights of
the Mississippi valley were emphasized.
Ex-Representative Charles E. Hooker.
ex-colonel. c. S. A., spoke Of America =
Col. w. A. Montgomery toasted What
the Battleship Mississippi is to Missis-
sippans.'
Gov. Noel spoke of mississippi. Loyal
Member Of the Sisterhood Of the States.
Leader in Moral and Material Prog
ress." Capt. Fremont carried the BAN
queters off their feet with his response
10 the toast. 1.-The navy. the floating bull
wavk of the nations defense. 1t is with
out sectional prejudice and its patriot
ism knows no boundaries save those of
the country at large"
Mayor Behrman Of New Orleans urged
the improyement Of the MissisSippi river