Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-25
ADDRESS OF oovEnyon oILmEn

On Presenng nine SoOrds at the CGpiiOI Of VirRinis.
Or TIE 22sD FEBRUARY, 1871.
In the name OF virginia, our mother, who is proud
to aeknoSledge you as her sons, ] greet you with
these proofs OF her remembrance and gratitude
which you have honoTaJly won and which she de /.
lights to bestow. The history Of this ancient Com
monweal,h, ike TN impeFishable scroll, exhibits on
every page some bright memorial TO kindle the viz.
tues Of the patriot and arm the warriors spirit The
soldiers sepuchfe, from n thousand battle fields
proclaims how much of Vmgna's blood has been
shed where the banner Of freedom waved. The
Ilustrious survivors OF many a we'll fought field are
here, 10 attest that high nnd Just sense Of military
merit and reward has been cherished by the State
which gave you birth, and by the country which
you serve This day, with It's halogsd associ..
tons, reminds US Of one, land nc was a Virginian.
whose name stands, by the consent Of all mankind
first or the record Of human benefsctors Its then
no ordinary distinction, thus 10 be selected by such
State from the mulutudes who have per,lled their
lives IN defence Of her free and VeneTated insutu-
tons.
This IS not one Of lhose splendid but vain "a.
geants which Fash along our progress through the
shabowY path Of life, to dazzle, to be admired and
forgotten on the instant. IL is spectacle Of moral
grandeur It's the voice Of Common " ealth which
halls You 70 day. IL is the voluntary exhibition of
a peoples gratitude, in peace, for those who
have signalized themselves in war. The Olympic
wreath, the riumphsl arch, the "s,oried urn :" and
animated bust" may be, a. they have been, con.
iNiAte " iuJh uDlhlhHf W uhuy queens, Uut TIE
gratitude Of Republic beams in every oye and
burns ~ every heart. These swords ore the gift
Of your country. Whpn they shall be drawn IN
defenes Of That countTy's rights, by you and by
your sons, each bsde will tell from generation 10
generation, the simple but touching story of repub-
lioan heraldry-Honor 10 whom honor IS due-ius.
uce 90 all-iear and favors fJr none.
where government Is FREE, every citizen IL n sol.
der every soldier 10 a citizen, and nation comes
W 70 the shock Of war as man rises in defence Of
his lie or bis hoaub-slone, invoking even in dsstb
the benedielions Of Heaven On Just cause, Hence
It - thst Repobles always have hren. and always
VII be, inVincible, until prompted by ambition, re-.
vengf or conquest, they forget what IL due TO hsi,
own rights by invading The rights ol Others
though you are surrounded "a. day by 40 many i'm
Posing evidences Of the pride, ponp, and cifeum.
STANCE, Of glorious war" II becomes US 10 remember
/ that our bulwark is not in walls nor in camps. bu
~ system OF wise and just laws faithfully admi
nstered, 80 s TO cause the humbest American ci
tizen 70 iee as sensblY sshe monareh on his throne
mat ne - Identified with his country, that he is
part OF ne government, that he 10 bound by saers,
obligations 10 live or 10 die in us service.
We arrange below the different resolutions yo,in
sword',uumbered as they we're offered, together vii
the replies OF the espectivs officers and substitute,
Governor Gilmer, in presenting each sword, state
the substance Of each resolution, Indicating the pa,
ueulsr service which il was designed 10 commend
rate, with the addition Of a few estempore remark
which cannot be sufficiently veil remembered
'eommunicate