The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-22
c. N G r e S S.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
PRESENTATION OF GEN. WASH.
INGTON'S SWORD.
" ashington, Feb. z, II

| Washington, Feb. Z, 1913.
! A scene of most unusual and impressive
character took place in the House OF Rep.
reseniatives to-day. Mr.. Summers, mem.
Der from Virginia. rose in his place soon
after The expiration Of the morning hour,
and in behalf Of one Of his constituents,
Samuel t. Washington, of kenhawa Go ,
presented 10 Congress. and through that
body TO the Nation, the battle-sword Of
ashington-thai sword which he bore
with him from his boyhood in the perils of
Indian aud French warfare, during the COL
onial DAVIS, and afterwards through the long
and terrible trials of The Revolution. Mr..
S. gave minute description of the weapon,
and a clear and interesting account of the
manner in which the precious relic had
come inlo the poss, ssion Of the donor, and
.ecapi'ulatcd evidence showing it TO be the
verilable weapon always used by Washing.
Ton while in active service. Mr.. S. then
presented the staff which was bcquea,ed by
FRANKLIN to Washington, and BY him 10
Inc ancestor Of the present donor.
The remarks Of Mr.. Summers were con-
beiyet and uttered in the most appropriate
good taste, ard were full of most touching
and beautiful eIoquence. He was followed
by the venerable Albums, who poured forth
mos. beautiful and imprisoned tribute TO
the memory Of those two great men, whose
very spirits seemed 10 have been called hiih-
er from the past. and TO live for the brief
hour in our very midst.
have never Witnessed in Congress. nor
indeed elsewhere, so impressive and inter
esting and solemn scene as this to-day.
Although the spacious hall and galleries
were crowded to excess, The most profound
silence prevailed, and as all listened, and
gazcd on the precious relics which spoke
such eloquent memories of The past, a holy
feeling IF patriotism that SCARED far above
al considerations OF the preseLi, seemed 20
live and move in the hearts Of all. And it
was not nlone among the softer sex, who
thronsed the galleries, that these emotions
proved too strong for the composure of ma.
ny present, but The stern Statesman and the
hardy soldier ev;rced by his moistened eye
that the fountain Of his feelings was touched
as with sacred wand, and that his ,hough hts
were holding communion with the spirit of
the Patriot and the Sage. 1t was an occa-
sion iraught with the purest sentiment
bringing men back TO that deep feeling Of
love Of country ard Of lis greatest and pur.
est and most heroic benefactors, which is
sometimes hidden but never long extingui-
shed amid the exciting contentious Of party
strife. The scene has left, doubt mol, q
most beneficial impression on the minds of
al who witnessed 1t, not to be easily effaced.
The House then passed resolution of
thanks, TO be signed by the Speaker and by
the President of the Senate, and presented
TO the donor Of these treasured relics, and
directed that they be deposited in the State
Department.
MIR. McKennan then rose, and remarking
that the House was not IN fitting condi-
ton after the scene just witnessed to proceed
TO business. moved an unanimous adjourn.
men', which Immediately took place
The following is sketch of MIR. Adams
speech upon the occasion.
The sword of Washington. The staff of
franklin Oh, sir, what associations are
linked in ALBANIAN: with those names! Wash |
ington, the warrior of human freedom
Washington, whose sword, as my friend
has said. was never drawn but in the cause
of his country, and never sheathed when
welded in his country's causei Franklin,
the philosopher OF the thunderbolt, the print.
ing press, and The ploughshare! What
names are these in the scanty catalogue of
the bcnefactors of human kind Washing
and franklin What other two men, whose |
lives belong 10 The eighteenth century of |
Christenjom. have left deeper impression |
OF themselves upon the age in which they |
lived, and upon all after time Washing
ton. The warrior and the legislator. In war,
contending by the wager of battle for the |
independence of his country, and for the !
freedom of the human race: ever mantle st. |
ing, amidst its horrors, by precep, and ex-
ample, his reverence for the laws of Peace,
and for the .enderest sympathies of human.
ity: in peace, soothing the fcrocious spirit
Of discord, among his own countrymen, into
harmony and union, and giving 10 that very
sword row presented 10 his country charm
more poieni than that attributed in ancient
times 10 the Tyre Of Orpheus. Fraaklin!
the mechanic of his own fortune, teaching,
in early youth, under the shackles of ind. /
gencc, the way TO wealth, and in the shade
of obscur;'y the path to greatness; in the
maturity of manhood, dsarmiog the thun.
der Gifts ierrors, the Lightning Of its fatal
blast, and wrestling from the tyran:'s hand
the still more affective scepire of oppression
while descending into the vale of years. /
tfaversiDg the Atlantic ocean, bravirg in
the dead of winter The battle and the b,eeze.
bearing in his hand the charter of indepen.
dence. Which he had contributed TO form.
and rendering. from the self.crea,ed nation
10 The mighliest moDarchs of Europe, the .
olive branch IF peace, the mercurinl wand of
commerce, and the amuic, of protection and
safely 10 the man of peace ON The painless
ocean, from the memorable cruelty and mer.
CHESS rapaci,y Of war. And finally, in the
last stage oflife, with four.core winters on
bIs head, under the torture of an incurahle
disease returning to his native land, closing
MS Gays as the chief magistrate of his ndoP-
ted Commonwealth ,ftar ,oz,.:L..: l.