Year: 1871

Reception Of tho Graud Duke Alexis


Visit so the Navy Ynrd ana Men-of


War.


The great preparations making for the re-
ception Of the Grand Duke Alexis aud the
Russian squadron must convince the public
mind that the visit will be cordially ap-
precated. 1t will be the first occasion
afforded the government Of the United States
Of returning the regal hospitality extended to
Admiral Farragut and the officers of the
Franklin. Orders will, Of course, be issued
to Vice Admiral Rowan, who will command
the receiving squadron, and the Commandant
of the Navy Yard, to entertain the
Russian Duke as we'll as all the officers
Of the approaching feet. AS yet, how
ever, we have heard of no provision
having been made by the government for that
purpose. Surely the authorities at Washing
ton cannot possibly expect that the Vice Ad


miral or the Commandant of the Navy Yard
will defray the expenses necessary to be in
Cured out of their comparatively wretched
pay. It is fact well known, and one, by the
way, that has been frequently and severely
commented upon, that during his stay in Rus
sia the heroic Admiral Farragut dispensed
over fifteen thousand dollars out of his private
purse, reciprocating the gorgeous entertain
ments given the American officers and sustain
ing the dignity Of the United States. Totally
Indifferent, however, to the sensitiveness OF
the high-minded aud honorable behavior Of
1ok IL 80 oAG L.
but respect for his country, the United States
government failed to reimburse him to the
extent of dollar. Aud this leads us to a
point upon which our naval officers have good
reason to feel sore and sometimes ashamed
Every government in the world possessing
vessels of war makes liberal allowance to
the commanders Of fleets, and even of single
ships, Of what is known as stable money!"
wherewith to receive official visits with
becoming hospitality. The Uaited States
Navy stands forth alone, with its ''poor
navy" as it is piteously termed in some
countries, and with a contemplate economy,
sufficient to dishearten the bravest of
the brave, commands its officers to
be unsparing in their attentions and
courtesy to those with whom they come in
contact in foreign lands, yet niggardly with
holds the wherewith to accomplish that i'm
portant end. Such miserable policy cannot
fail to have the most depressing effect upon
the minds of those whose honor is at stake
when accepting official invitations or receiving
kindnesses which they ought in duty but
cannot occasionally from sheer impecuniosity
return. Something must be done to re ctfy
this manifest injustice to the officers of the
American Navy. The arrival of the Grand
Duke Alexis is an event which calls for sub
stantial recognition of the sterling friendship
shown by Russia for the United States; and
the private, and, perhaps, by no means
heavy purses of our Vice Admiral, Navy
Yard Commandant or other officer to
be officially visited, ought not to be
drained in order to celebrate an event which |
It should b, the pride of the Navy Department |
10 make memorable. The coming occasion is |
one that will demand something more than
ordinary civility, and as the royal visitor will
doubtless take an interest in inspecting our |
and navy yards he must be re-
ceived in some manner commensurate with
the unbounded liberality and munidcence ex-
tended to our officers at the time of their visit
to Russia. We have little doubt, however,
that the Secretary of the Navy will at once
see the propfiety and Importance of allotting
. sufficient sum from the contingent fund for
the purpose mentioned.


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