The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-08-08
JOHN ERICSSON
senator Nelson Pays
Noteworthy Battle With the MerrInac

1c InVcnCOr OF tne MOhitOF-IHS
MerrImac In Hampton Roads.
anchored late that night of the Sth
Of March in the shadow of the dis
abled Minnesota, ready for Its task
Of the morrow. Her officers and
crew, with knowledge of what had
befalen the Cumberland and Con-
gress, realized fully that the fate OF
our country was in their hands, but
there was no hesitation and no doubt
on their part.
Early on the morrow the Merrimac,
the pride of the confederates, steam
ed into Hampton Roads. making
straight for the Minnesota She ex-
pected as speedy and as easy vic
tory as that of the day before. But
soon small speck, as it Were-the
Monitor-emerged from the shadow
OF the Minnesota and boldly ap-
preached the iron leviathan. The
latter paused for moment and cast
q suspicious glance at her Lilliputian
adversary and then advanced to the
attack, and one Of the most noted
battles of the ages began. l will not
weary you with any details OF the
intense struggle. The Merrimac soon
found that she was not encounterlng
Minnesota, Cumberland, or
Congress, but that. she was confront
ed with most dangerous and Tor
midable adversary. 1t was once more
a Goliath pitted against David. and
David, as of old, was entirely VIC
lstorious The Monitor continued to
ride triumphant in Hampton Roads,
while the Merrimac, limping and dis
abed, slowly steamed back to the
navy yard at Norfolk, where she
could yex us no more, and where she
soon met the fate Of suicide.
1t was most glorious and momen-
tous victory. 1t saved McClellan's
army and the remnant of our fleet
1t gave permanent immunity to the
harbors of the north and enabled US
to maintain an effective and nearly
complete blockade of the ports OF
the south.
1t had restraining influence on
the statesmen of other countries who
were eager to recognize the inde
pendence of the southern cnnfeder-
acy. And it entirely revolutionized
naval warfare and rendered the
proud wooden fleets of the 81 eat
naval powers obsolete and worthless.
That great son of Sweden and the
adopted son of America, John Erics-
son, had, without the blare of trum-
pets and in the midst of many diff
culties, wrought this great miracle
for our relief. He had placed the
hammer of Thor in our hands at the
most critical period of the struggle
for the preservation Of the union.
Sweden has, from first to last,
and daughters to America for its
whn hay,a
constituted and continue to cDnSti
tute one of the best elements Of our
Heterogeneous ethnic makeup. But
the greatest contribution Sweden
ever made was when she gave us
John Ericsson, one Of the noblest,
greatest and bravest of all her. sens.
Oh, that he were still young and with
US today, as In the days of the MonI-
tor! If he were, / feel confident
that he would furnish us an antidote
against the submarine, as effective
as the antidote he furnished US
against the Merrimac.
He rendered many other important
services to our government during
the civil war, in addition to that OF
the Monitor. And he was often an
noyed, hampered, and harassed by
the bureaucratic officers of the gov
ices. But his anxiety for our success,
his intense patriotism, and his 10y
atty to our country were so para
mount with him that, regardless Of
these Sights and rebuffs, he persist
ed in giving all that was in him. his
soul and his whole heart. to the well
fare and salvation of our country.
And this lesson of loyalty and pa
triotism he has left as a precious
legacy to us and to our children. May
that spirit of patriotism and loyalty, |
which was his during the dreary
days of the civil war, be ours in full
measure during the pending war. Let |
US all have America and her cause !
uppermost and foremost in our love
and affection, in war as well as in |
peace.
While the remains of John Erics- |
son have found their final resting /
place in his beloved Varmland-the |
land that bore him and Graded him
yet he seems as near and dear to us |
today In spirit at least, as in those !
sombre and trying times of '61-62, I
when he came to the relief of our
country in the hour of her great dis |
tress.
When can his glory fade? I
Oh! the brave charge he made;
An the world wondered.