The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-17

and desultory remarks but that he could not orbeay
a word OF passing comment Of the patriotic spirit
which had been exhibited by the people of every
section OF our widely extended confederacy al this
interesting crisis The character OF Institutions
u was TOO obvious for remark forbids the existence
OF srge standing army in time of peace Thank
God, the laws were obeyed and society was regula-
ted by higher influence than force-by the virtue
and intelligence of the masses The people here
were the source OF power and the protectors Of their
own rights. Liberty, achieved by the blood other
ancestors, must be defended by thai of posierity 10
whom the same legacy had been intrusted. But
three months ago Congress had passed an act au-
thorizng the President to accept the services Of fifty
thousand volunteers. But thirty days had elapsed
before two hundred thousand had offered them
selves. and had not positive prohibitions been is
sued the sun would have this day gladdened our
sight with half million Of freemen citizen soldiers
ready To meet the enemy.
"What civilized government on the face of the
globe can furnish parallel 10 thlsl None. In time
Of peace party may for time sever the bonds OF
friendship, and excite anmosltles, and call out pas
slons that all deplorei but in we arc one and
ndivisible So far as relates to the enemy we know
no party but our country, and eknowledge no call
but that Of duty. Who is there within the sound
Of my voice, (said Mr.. Macay,) or abroad through
out this happy land that did not exut in this SPLEEN
did spectacle OF the people fighting their own bat
tesl Or who that beheld the thousands ard tens of
thousands at the first triumph, Of rushing TO the
scene OF action, that did not, in the fulness Of his
heart, exult that he too was an American CITIZEN
sit would have been singulsr-Mr. Maclay said,
turning to Mr.. MOrris-lf your son had been either
absent from, or undistngulshed among, that gallant
throng. The name he bears, and the blood that
courses through his veins, were guarantees of his
devotion TO his country In any question that may
have occurred. In the darkest period of our reyol-
uonary struggle, even when the thickest Of wars
tempest Io~e'ed,' your veneraied father saw
through the gloom Of the then present the light that
IrradisIed the future Never despairing for one mo-
ment of the ultimate success of the cause in which
he was engaged, by the generous sacrifice of his
means and his credit he raised the resources which
relieved our suffering and half-clad army, fight
ing, amid universal dependency, the battle Of free
dom.
when peace returned with her olive, and the
government under which we have lived, and grown,
and prospered was organized, in Just appreciation
both OF his services and ability, General Washing
ton rendered to him the honorable post of Secretary
OF the Treasury, which, with characteristic modes
ty, he declined. What was happily said Of another
10 equally applicable TO him. The character of most
public men, like objects seen through a mist, is
nagnIhed by the distance. He was like lofty tow.
or seen aar of IN clear evening sky, which rises
IN grandeur and sublimity with every step of an
proaeh. Your son has approved himself not un.
worthy OF such parentage. In the battle Of the 9Th
Of May he LAID by his sword, and taking the musket
Of a wounded man, joined in the FIRE Of those who
were contending with the enemy. In the battle of
the 9Th, although wounded, he supported himself
upon the arm Of surgeon; he responded to his
brave commander, who had seized Mexican stand.
ard, and called to his to follow him in the charge
upon the battery, through which the desperate
charge Of Captain Mays Dragons had already bro
ken. For this commendable service, for his zeal
and hdelIty as soldier for the thrill of pleasure he
has sent to the bosom Of his family and friends, for
the honor he has conferred upon his native city,
this testimonial which | am now about to present
TO you, has been selected as emblematic of his
merits.
ALLOW me, then in the name and behalf of the
LIST and I'd regiments Of volunteers of this State 10
present you, or HIM, this sword. May the dispen-
ser OF every good grant him life long TO wear it
his past conduct warrants it will be honored."
The following is the letter from Lieut.. Morris, eu
planning the canse Of his absence when the sword
was presented:
"NEw YoRK, Aug. Ia, 1886
"GENrLEMEN: 1t is with the deepest pain and
moruhcaIon that have to apologize for my not be-
ing present the 18th inst, to receive the sword
you have so kindly presented me. An unavoidable
accident having detained the steamer on Lake
Champlain, the public conveyances refused to leave
White Hall at their appointed time, waiting her
arrival With every exertion could make with
private vehicle had yet the infinite pain of finding
II impossible to reach the cars Permit me, gentle.
men, TO express to you my gratitude for the great
honor you have done me, in presenting me with a
sword-the highest compliment that can be awarded
to military services. To do my duty was all that
was allowed me in the battles Of the 9Th and h
May-oPportunities for more occurring to but few
who calamity improved them to the utmost That
my brothersoldiers and fellow citizens should deem
my conduct worthy the superb testimonial they
have presented me, must attribute to the generous
feeling that would kindly overrate the services of
fellow-citizen.
"For the fattering manner in which it was con-
veyed by the Hon. Mr.. Maclay, owe that gentle
man my warmest Acknowledgements.
81 am, gentlemen,
with great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
&C. F. NORRIS,
"Second Lieutenant 9th infantry
"To Colonies w. B. Burnett, Chas Baxter; Lieut..
Colonies Z. Suffern, j. c. Potter; Majors J. c.
Burnham, w. w. Lyons.n