The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-02-18
Of the Bait. American.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1913.
PRESENTATION OF THE SWORD OF
GENERAL WASHINGTON, AND
THE WALKING CANE OF
FRANKLIN.
According to public expectation,


Virginia; and one Of his constituents, had
requested him, in hisname, and in his be-
half, to present to the Congress of the U.
States, and through them to the people o.
the United States. two of the most inter
estng and valuable articles connected
with the past history Of our country. The
one was sword worn by Gen. Washing
ton. first as a colonel in the Colonial SER
vceo Virginia, and afterwards during the
whole period Of the Revolutionary Var,
as COMMANDMENT chief of the American
Army.
The other relic was The cane that be-
longed to Benjamin Franklin. !. is a
crab tree walking stick, with gold head
c1iiously wrough! in the form Of Cap
of Liberty, which was bequeathed to GEN
eral Washington by Franklin himself
After some remarks illustrative Of these
precious relics of the past, he said that
the sword of the hero and statesman
should 90 with the staff Of the phloso-
pher, aud be deposited among the proud
est trophies of the nations achievements.
Grea, applause followed this speech,
from members as we'll as persons in the
galleries.
Mr. ADAMS said, that in presenting
this resolution to the House it may per-
haps be expected that should accompa-
ny it with some remarks suitable to the
occasion; and yet, sir, ! never rose TO ad-
dress this House under deeper convlc-
ton of the want of words to express the
emotions that feel. It is precisely be-
cause occasions like this are adapted to
produce universal sympathy, that little
can be said by any one but what, in The
language Of the heart, in tones not loud,
but deep, every one present has literally
said to himself
My respected friend from Virginia, BY
whom this offering Of patriotic sentiment
has been pre- resented to the Representative
Assembly Of the nation, has, it seems TO
me, already SAID all that can be said suita-
BILE 10 this occasion. In parting from
him, as after few short days we must
all do, i, will, on my part, be sorrowIng
that in all pre- liability, shall see his face,
and hear his voice no more But his words
at this day have been planted in my mem
DRY, and will there remain till the last
puIss'ion of my heart.
The Sword Of Washington! The staff
of Franklin Oh, sir, what associations
are linked in adamanl with those names !.
Washington, the warrior Of human free
dom Washin. ton, whose sword my
friend has said was never drawn but in the
cause Of country, and never shealhed
when needed in his coun,ry's cause
Franklin, the philosopher Of the thunder
bolt, the printing press, and the plough
share-what names are these in the Scan
ty catalogue of the benefGc.ors Of mankind?
Washington and franklin! What other
TWO men whose lives belong to the 10
hundred century of Chris,endom, have
left deeper impression Of themselves u
pom the age in which they lived and upon
all after time.
Washington, the warrior and the legs-
lator! In war con,ending by the wager
of battle for the independence of his
country, and for the freedom of the hu-
man accommodating, amidst the hor-
rors of war, by precept, and example, his
reverence for the laws Of peace and for
the tenderest sympa,hies Of humanity
In peace, soothing the lerocious spirit OF
dlscord among his own countrymen into
harmony, and giving to that very sword
now presented to his country charm
more potent than that imputed in ancient
times to the Tyre Of Orpheus.
Franklin, the mechanic of his own for
tune, teaching, in early youth, under the
shackles of Indulgence. the way Of wealth,
and in the shade of obscurily the path to
greatness. In the maturity Of manhood
disabling the thunder Of its terrors, and
rendering to monarchs of Europe the olive
branch of peace, the mercurial wand OF
Commerce, and the armlet of protection
and safety to the man Of peace on the
painless ocean from the inevitable cruelty
md merciless rapaci.y Of war; and finally
in the last Stage Of life, with fourscore
winters on his head, under the torture Of
an incurable disease, retiring to his native
land, closing his DAYS as the chef magis-
,rate of his adopted Commonwealth
After some further remarks, Mr.. Adams
concluded: ard applause long and loud
rung through the Hall.
Mr.. Adams then submitted a Joint re.
solution rendering to S. T. Washington
the.thanks of Congress for the donation
Of the Sword and Walking stick, and or.
dering a copy Of the resolution to be sen
to the donor.
The resolution was adopted unanimous
ly.
Mr.. TALIAFERRO moved that the re.
marks Of Messrs Summers and Adams be
entered on the journal, and the motor
was agreed to.
Mr.. McKENNAN said that it was evi
dent, from the feelings produced by thu
| - n~o,o ,Iinuo thot tho man, he r,