The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-27
The keply Of Ge"., Wool. on receiving the
Troy Sword.

Friends Fellow Citizen ana Soldiers On my re-
turn from the war in Mexico, find myself in your
nidft Unexpectedly in n sphere Of action. find
my self engaged in tbs delightful but dic uit task of
responding those spontaneous outpourin of the
heart-thoee cordial nd nth usssc which
have greeted me- since my arrival in my native State
/ had anticipated welcome from my friends but
such q welcome received on landing in this city,
and such n indicated in this bl age
] neither anticipated, nor can venture to claim for
mer. public services Much of only be ascribed
to your partaity to ngstsndDg associations to the
conn MONS Of my youth. and the associates of mn
tuter years, whom recognise before me, and whose
steAdipess of frien hip has never failed
to cheer and animate me in the darkest hour Such
friendship has been especially dear to me during
my more than two years absence; for, there have
been times when in the full ness of
all the energies possessed 10 the public good and the
honor OF my country. found myself IN ms
when the encouraging voice Of fe udship needed
to cheer under the heavy responsibilities which
struggling to scbarge In the execution of those
duties Twas to incur the dspea ure Of the dis
contented and of those who could the
necessity of discipline 1t would not have been dir,
cult to ater the love Of indulgence and of ease and
to present the column had organized and brought
in the field of battle in the garb without the disc
plne of soldiers But those who were at first most
loud in their complaints, for my refusing to
listen to that sren voice Of popularity which woud
have extricated me- at once. from labyrinth Of un-
pleasant service the first in their ackpowledg
nepts, when convinced by the trial of battle Of the
mercy had shown them in the very rigor exacted to
prepare them for the contest. To you the Chief Ma
gstrate Of this beautiful and enterprsing city-mv
hone and residence; and to you of
the voice of citizens. make my grateful ack now
ledgments for the complimentary in which YOU
have been pleased to present this splendid sword as
the gift of the city and of citizens indiy
dually. ! receive n with a depth of gratitude which
cannot be expressed by words Is the testimonial of
my own neIgbbors-my couDtrymen at home II ia
the symbol Of their appreciation of my character as
citizen and soldier Could ambition seek higher re
ward! Could pride enjoy nober triumph, | can
truly FAY, that | am more than compe psated by this
msgp ifoeLt presentation and reoeption-this warm
glowing and heartfelt greeting, for all the toll hard
ships, and dangers to which have been exposed sin
l ptAr n ne ies hat call
The sword which have received shall hold as the
dearest gilt Of my life If country should again
need my services in the field and this arm should
become by oge, too feeble to raise itself in yipdca
ton of the national rights, your confidence as i'm
piled in this gift shall be sustained to the fullest ex
tent Of my ability 1t is not necessary for me to fol-
low the of your addresses by captivating the
course Of my action in e two wars to which YOU
have alluded History has recorded the events of the
first the future history will embody the materials
of the last In reference, however to the battle
of Buens Vista. to which you have so fatteringly
alluded, my services prior and during that en-.
language Of theconmsn ding general which you have
quoted. And | agree with that DISTINGUISHED
officer, that q sold er's share" is all that need
be claimed in the giori-s Of that memorable conflict
Citze Soldiers 1t pleasure to witness this
day, the beautiful orotr equipment and app ntme mt
which you have displayed We are an armed republic
but arms in our own hands. We stand ready
to defend the public liberty. because 1t is our own
The world is awakened to the fact that a citizen
soldiery constitutes their own government-the
strongest earth. No large standing armies are
here necessary small regular force and sufficient
number Of educated and experienced officers may
always be an expedent resource to give example I'D
instruction thank you, with a soldiers heart for
your attendance on this occasion; and, on your re-
turn TO your pective bones bear with YOU md to
your families my best wishes for your prosperity nd
happiness. And now. my friends townsmea and
citizens permit to conclude my part n this
interesting drama by renewing to you all the 81 n
ceret expressions Of my deep and heartfelt gratitude