1. The disasters which different ports of our country have experienced from
invading forces during three great wars. No foe now on this continent which
we need fear--our enemies, if any, will come by sea.
2. The defense by fortified harbors cannot be relied on, for when one place
is defended another may be attacked, and the coast-line is so great that an
unguarded spot may be found. But our glorious navy will seek the foe at any
and every point.
3. Past glory of the Navy. Paul Jones in the Revolutionary War singeing
John Bull's beard at his own fireside. 1812. The ships of iron that kept
the Confederate States engirdled and forbade outside meddling with domestic
troubles.
4. The Navy, by showing the world that we are impregnable, should be the
best promoter of a solid peace.
RESPONSE TO THE TOAST, "GENERAL JACKSON: A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH, BUT A
DIAMOND"
1. The hero of New Orleans, though rough, was a strong and great man.
Stories about him always popular. His indorsing State papers "O.K." when he
approved them, and saying that these letters meant "_oll korrect_."
The victor and the spoils.
2. His connection with great questions, such as the currency and
nullification. Popularity with his own party.
3. Proved to be a great commander by the manner in which he used his very
slender resources at the battle of New Orleans--the backwoods riflemen and
the breastworks of cotton.
RESPONSE TO THE TOAST, "THE WORKING MAN: MAY HE LOVE HIS WORK AND HAVE
PLENTY OF IT, WITH GOOD WAGES PROMPTLY PAID"
1. For a healthy man a reasonable amount of work is no misfortune, but
a blessing. Idleness is a curse, and leads to all kinds of evil. (See
story in Anecdote No. 21 at end of this volume--of the tramp who earned
seventy-five cents and quit work because he feared that he could not bear
the curse of riches! Not many of us have this kind of fear.)
2. Toil with pen and brain as real, and may be as exhausting as with the
hand and foot.
3. But to defraud a workman of one cent of his earnings is a peculiarly
atrocious crime. How this may be done indirectly. All persons who believe
in this toast should deal justly and fairly, and try to hold others to the
same rule.
4. The true workman wants work and fair play; not patronage and flattery,
but sympathy and friendship.