Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-03-11
PRESENTATION OF SWORDS.


by a resolution Of the Legislature. nine swords
presented to certain officers Of the Army and
Navy, on the 2ad Of February, for their gallanty
and good condact during the late war. The cere-
mony Of presentation took place, on the portico Of
the Capitol in Richmond, in presence Of the Presi-
dent and Vice President elect, the members Of the
Legislature, and vast number Of the citizens and
military Of Richmond Below viii be fouod the
address Of the Governor, TO which each of the re.
eipients responded in very patriotic manner. The
Enquirer says -
These swords pronounced by good Judges
10 be superior 10 any thing Of the kind gotten
up in this country. They were Fabricated by Mr.
y + Ames Of Springfield, Massachusetts, under the
auspices of Gen n Towsoa Paymasiei General
of the Army. The General himself selected the
blades out Of large select assortment, aud the
swords we'll adapted for service as for sieW
The bilts and several parts of tie scabbard are
made OF gold, and many Of them have representa-
tions of battles graphically chased in gold on the
scabbard. Each sword is deposited in a beautiful
box Of rosewood. The v hole is unique.
ADDRESS
OF Cor. Gtimer, on presenting nine Swords nj The
Capitol Of Virginia, on the 22d Of Fe6. l54I.
GgSTLEMES: In the name of Virginia, our moth
er, who is proud TO acknowledge you as her sons,
greet YOU with these proofs Of her remembrance
and gratitude, which you have HONORABLE, won,
which she delights TO bestow. The history of this
ancient Commonwealth, like an mpershabe scroll,
exhibits every page some bright memorial. TO
knde the virtues of abe patriot and arm the war
rior's spirit. The soldiers sepulchre from thou.
sand battlefelds proclaims how much of Virginia's
blood has been SIZED where the banner of freedom
waved. These illustfious survivors of many we'll
fought field. are here to attest that high and Just
sense ct military merit and reward, has been cher.
ished by the State which gave you birth, and by the
country which you serve. This day. with It's hal.
lowed associations, reminds of one (and he was
aFirgnian,) whose name stands by the consent of
all mankind, first on the record of human benefac-
tors. 1t IS no ordinary distinction then, thus to be
selected by snch State from the multitudes who
have peried their lives in defence Of her free aud
veRerated institutions.
This is not one of those splendid ba, vain pa
gean's which flash along our progress through the
shadowy path of life. to dazzle, to b. admired and
forgotten the instant 1t 10 spectacle OF moral
grandeur. Ii is the voice of a Commonwealth
which hail. you to-day, 1t is the voluntary exhi-
hidon of peoples gratitude in pence for those
who have sisnalized themselves in wer. The Oiym.
pic wreath, the trumphal arch. the stored urn"
aud " animated bust" may be, as they have been
conferred by royal dotards or by baby queens but
burns in every heart. These swords are The Gift of
your country. When they shall be drawn in de-
fence of that couatry's rights by you and by your
sons, each blade will tell from generation 10 gene
ration the simple but touching story OF Republican
heFaldry--honor to whom honor is dne--jus,ice to
aI--fear and favor for
Where Government is free, every citizen is
soldier, every soldier is a citizen, and nation
comes up to the shock Of var as man rises in de-
fence of his life or his hearth stoue invoking
in death the benedctons Of Heaven on just cause.
Hence it is that Republics always have been aud
always will be nvincibs, until prompted by ambi.
ton, revenge or conquest. they forget what Is due
to their rights by invading the rights OF others
Though you surrounded to-day by 40 many i'm
posing evidences Of the ''pride, pomP and eircum
stances of glorious war;" il becomes US TO remem
Der, that bulwsrk il not in walls nor in camps
but. a system of wise AID just laws faithfully ad
miuistered, as to cause the humbiest American
citizen To feel as sonsibly tho Monarch oa his
throne that he is identified WITH his country--that
lie is part Of its gosernmenl-.hst he is bound by
sacred obligations to live die in its service.
The following are The names Of tho gallant Off
GERS to whose heroism they are awarded:
Army.-R. II. Bell, Il. Jones. George ARMS.
iead, In. NJ. Nelson
Macy &C. w. Morgan, TIL. APP Cutesby Jones,
II. N Page, + A +. Valeue.
Marine Corps Col. Henderson.