The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-11
DANIELS LAUDS
PERRY IN SPEECH
At CELEBRATION
Secretary of Nays Address
Features Day in Erie,
Pa.-Ends Big
Celebration

Erie, Pa. July 10.-Holding i'm his
hand gavel fashioned OF wood and
| iron taken from the Lawrence and
Niagara, flagships of Commodore Per-
rvs. little saeet AT the battle. Of Put i'm
Bay, Josephus paniels. secretary Of the
Navy, today promised before the crowd
gathered on the harbor front to give
| 1t to his son in order that he might
better emulate the example of the great
naval hero of the lakes. The incident
closed remarkable demonstration in
connection with Erie's Perry centennial
celebration
Mr.. Daniels spoke of the Importance
of initiative and the value of the ex-
ample set by Lawrence, Perry. John
Paul Jones.
Secretary Daniels had Just taken his
seat when Senator Penrose after argu-
ing for a big navy in order that the
United States might be considered in
every International circumstance pre-
senetd the gavel to Mr.. Daniels
Accepts Gavel
Mr.. Daniels hesitated as he accepted
the gavel. then expressed his pleasure
Turning impulsively to the crowd he
said.
Il will take this gift back with me
to Washington and | will give it to
my son so that he may be the more
able to appreciate and emulate the ex-
ample of this great hero of these Great
Lakes and of his uncle. Worth Bag
ley. who gave his life for the flag on
the Cuban coast
The secretary told again the Won
derful story of oliver Hazard Perrvs
little irprovised fleet and its triumpb
over .he great British men of war m
Ger veteran officers: he recalled the
inspiring death of Lawrence with the
words, Don't give up the ship" but
recently off his lips and still in his
heart and he dwelt upon the magnih-
cent daring of John Paul Jones.
The Man Important
1T Is hot always the highest train
ing and skill which wins the battle
although we must not for a moment
underrste the value of these" Mr. Dam
iels said. 1T was this marvellous ini-
tiative. this unconquerable viii power
which saved the day for the young
republic at the battle of Lake Erie and
gave Perry immortal fame. The man
is greater than the ship am afraid
there is danger in this dav of tech
nical things. this day of models and
meahanisms. that we may get too far
away from the idea that readiness and
aptitude and inititive, alertness to
change the line of battle with chang
ing circumstances in the fate of the
fray, are vital to success.
Important Lesson
There is tremendously important les
Son involved in this example that Oliver
Hazard Perry has set us. In every avenue
of life it applies. God pity the man who
gives up. Life is too full of opportunities
to throw up the sponge. Despair is the
knife that stabs success to the heart
THE people of Erie have done well to
raise the old hull of the Niagara and re-
store her TO the form in which she ap-
peared In the day of her glory when she
came into the great sea battle in the time
of crisis, and snatched victory from de-
feat | know that she was criticised for
not getting into the battle at the first, but
who can say that the Unseen Pilot OF
human destinies was not in this, so that
she was kept fresh and ready to come in
as the reserve force and win the day. |
have been greatly interested In the splen-
did work you people have done in raising
her. AS she goes up the lake this summer
and fall. carrying the famous flag with
the immortal motto. and reminding the
youth of the day of the glorious episode
in which she played so important part
may fortune sit upon her prosperous
helm. -
After his address Mr.. Daniels and his
party reviewed the naval parade.
Mr. Daniels while here today called on
Mrs. Harriet Gridley. widow of Capt.
Charles V. P. Gridiey, vino commanded
the Olympia at the battle of Manila bay,
and who died soon afterward. Mr.. Daniels
went with her to Captain Gridley's grave
and placed a wreath on it. Early in the
evening the Secretary departed for Wash
ington.