The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-08-19
PRESIDENTS HIGH PRAISE
The Idaho Leads The NAVY For
Past Year In the Record For
6unnery and For Engineer
ing and Receives Official
Commentator,

ESPECIAL 10 The News and Observer
Newport, X. L., Aug. 16.-There was
celebrated here today an event of
much interest. this the presentation
10 the T.. S. s. Idaho Of the pennant.
Won in target practice, the record Of
that vessel showing that il received
the highest combined merit in gun
merry and engineering for the year end
ing June 80. 1913.
The presentation address WAS made
Icy Secretary of the Navy Josephus
Daniels. and in the course of his
speech which was received with great
applause. he cad a letter of felicia
ton TO the officers and men OF the
Idaho from President Wilson, con-
graduating them on the splendid eff
bciency shown. Secretary Daniels, in
the course Of his remarks. gave a
new incident in the life Of President
wilson. that as a boy it had been his
highest ambition to enter the Naval
Academy and become a naval officer.
Secretary Daniels spoke AS follows:
When a younger man n more
given TO asking questions. l asked
General Greedy, whose expedition to
the far north disclosed a herOism
that has pot been surpassed in his
tory. ms we're the practical and
lasting results of value of your ex-
petition? The courteous answer he
made was a lesson that has a mean
ing to those who may not appreciate
the far-reaching significance Of the
contests between the ship Of the navy.
He said, land the answer impressed
itself in a lasting way upon mel. that
question was Asked me once by "A
member OF the British Parliament and
$500. -a-lr
come when men of our race were con-
tent with the discoveries that had been
made and were not ready to jeOpardixe
fhe'r lives to conquer new worlds and
make new discOveries-if hat time
should come, il would make the day OF
retrosressiOn and decay. The man
Who is content with wha his prcdeces-
s"rs have learned. is doomed to fail
ore. We live only by progress in the
Held Of competition. Those who look
Ia the heights must ever heed the ad.
monitton voiced by Tennyson:
Men. my brothers. men the workers.
Ever reaIing something new
1hat which they have done but earneS
1T the things that they shall do"
1T is rare that excellence is founl
Where there are no contests in skill
either Of mind or body. The Greek;
Kept their warriors and young men IL
training by the incentive OF the Olym
PIC games. The man who won tn
laurel VAS almost as great a hero a
The man who kicks the ball that win
the goal in our modern football game
What is there in those contests Of mus
ele ana skill? 1t is exactly what W
TOOK for in the content in debating
ana literary societies. 1t is the in
tehtive TO attain excellence. n per
chance perfection. No man is eve
ebie To meet an emergency unless h
Is always ready. There is q lesson t
us IN the foolish virgins who wishe
10 borrow oil from their lamps whe
tue bridegroom came. Their is move
lime 10 make ready in any truly grea
eflcis OF life. II is the man who keep
MS lamp trimmed and burning VIII
goes IN to the marriage feast. 1t
me man who keeps himself in I'm
physical condition who is the victC
when the day calls for endurance
fhe man who is going to get ready
Is sure to fall down when opportuni,
hnocks at his door.
To Be Ready Always.
The necessity of always bein
ready is appreciated more. l thin
oy men in the navy than by men
my other calling or profession. TT
NAT his life IS cOnsecrated to n ser
&c OF his country and that upon n
,eauiness in the hou Of national PEI
a"pends the security Of the men. won
IN and children of his n Tht
Heep securely in their homes in II
~.onhdence that the men Who ma
me ships are vigilant and courag
'hs. But what is all our grown
'aVy worth to use unless manned
hen who live in a State of prepare
less? And how can the public kno
nat the navy is their sure dependen
bless in days Of peace men esche
lSe and comfort and by diligen