The Coolidge examiner., 1933-05-26

~ Spanish-Amerlcan war and the
World war have given a deeper
significance TO Memorial day for thousands OF
American families.
Because there are still thousands of survivors
OF these wars to help keep green the memories
and the graves OF their comrades In arms, we
have become accustomed TO thinking of Me-
mortal day as day set aside for honoring only
the warrior dead OF these conflicts. Time has
somewhat dimmed the memory of the heroic
dead of the Revolution. the War of 1912, the
Mexican war and the earlier Indian wars and
the graves Of thousands OF them are unmarked
and forgotten So we cannot decorate their
graves with flowers. even II would honor
them we honor the heroic dead OF later wars
But we can pay our tribute to them in the form
OF wreaths OF memory In recalling. II only for
this day. what they did for our country and Of
fering up TO them our measure OF deepest graft
tude for the lives which they so freely gave In
its defense.
Lay one Of these wreaths of memory upon the
grave Of Capt. James Lawrence! For IL was
just 120 years ago that this young naval officer.
dropping mortally wounded to the bloody decks
Of the istarred U. s. s. Chesapeake, uttered
the words which were to become q watchword
OF the United States navy and one of the most
famous phrases In American history-"Dont
give up the Ship"
Lawrence was born in Burlington, " j., In
1871. Destined by his family 20 become law
yer. at the early age of twelve he developed
passionate desire TO enter the newly created
United States navy But in obedience to the
desires OF his family he applied himself to the
study OF law until in 1898 when at length they
released him from his legal studies and secured
a mdshipmans warrant in the navy for him.
His first service was on the frigate Ganges
part in the capture of several French prvateers-
men, But Lawrence's first taste of real fighting
came during the war with the Barbary pirates
from 1903 to 1905 in which he more than once
distinguished himself as lieutenant under Isaac
Hull. stephen Decatur and John Rodgers
In 1908 he was made first lieutenant of the
Constitution and his services on the famous Old
IrOnsides marked the last subordinate place he
held. The next year he placed in com
mand of the Vixen which he exchanged for the
Wasp and finally the Argus In 1911 he got the
Hornet, a fast and beautiful little cruiser, car
rying Is guns, and he was in command of her
when the long ng-eXpected declaration of war with
England came in 1912.
In February 1873 Lawrence with the Hornet,
fought engagement with the British ship
Peacock which resulted In complete victory
for the young American commander and won
for him not only the freedom of the city of New
York, a handsome piece Of plate and a gold
medal from that municipality hut also the thanks
of congress. But this was the last glimpse of
brightness in Iawrence's short life He had
hoped be placed in command of the
Constitution but his hopes were dashed when
he was ordered to take command of the Chesa-
peake, then being fitted out for service at Bos-
ton.
The Chesapeake was the "hoodoo ship" of the
United States navy at that time From the very
first she had been an unpopular ship. for she was
thought to be weak for her size and she was
very ordinary sailer. On June % 1907 while
under the command of Commodore James Bar
ron. the Chesapeake was an actor in morti-
fyinc event which was to have far-reaching re-
suits On that date she was stopped by the