284 MAJOR JOHN F. LACEY 



fruit of time. The Spanish war gave opportunity to show 

 the change, rather than to produce it. The last Congress 

 broke up singing the "Doxology," the "Star Spangled 

 Banner," "Marching Through Georgia," "Maryland," 

 and "Dixie." This was not an idle exhibition of senti- 

 ment. It was a spontaneous demonstration of a friendly 

 feeling that I hope may always endure. 



Our regular army has a warmer place in our hearts 

 than at any time in our country's history. The preju- 

 dice against a large regular army has always existed. 

 When the fathers, in convention, were framing the con- 

 stitution, an amendment was offered limiting the regular 

 force to 5,000 men. Washington was not a humorist, but 

 he at once offered another amendment requiring that no 

 invading army should ever exceed 3,000 men. The one 

 proposition was a complete answer to the other. 



The American people today are turning their attention 

 once more to the sea. The sea has always been the source 

 of power. Actium, Salamis, the Nile, Trafalgar, Manila, 

 and Santiago are all names commemorating turning 

 points in the world's history. 



When I stood a few years ago near Mary Drake, our 

 governor's daughter, and saw her strike the bow of the 

 great steel-clad battleship and say, "I christen thee 

 Iowa," I wondered if that vessel would ever link the 

 name of Iowa with any great event. We did not have 

 long to wait until the gallant captain, Robley D. Evans, 

 pushed her into the heat of battle at Santiago. 



The time has come, in my judgment, to put the Amer- 

 ican flag back once more upon the high seas. We may 

 not agree as to the method of doing this. Its discussion 

 might bring up disputed questions, but upon one thing 

 I think we will all agree, that we want to see the stars and 

 stripes take their place in all the seaports of the world. 



We are soon to celebrate another great centennial in 



