The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-26

The Presentation the Sword voted by the Leki.-
isture OF Virginia TO General Taylor.
The correspondent of the Baltimore Sun gives some
particulars Of the ceremony which not detailed in
yesterdays National Intellgenoer We copy them from
that paper along with the addresses, which officially
and correctly reported 10 the ln,eigencer. We had not
the honor OF witnessing the Several Virginians
were prevented from attending it, from impression
which had gone forth that one would be present ex.
cept the cabinet of the President and the committee from
Virginia We are therefore unable. from our personal
knowledge, TO supply any other details except those
which are furnished by the Sun But it gives US sincere
pleasure to do honor unto him who has done honor 10
his country. We shall find opportunities enough ex
prels our opinions OF his administration; but General
Taylor has served his country faithfully and noby the
tented field, and re oiced that his native Stale
should have paid this tribute to his military merits and
services We shall be happy, in like manner to CON-
memorate the compliment which Virginia pays to another
of her sons and another of disng generals
We unable to say this time whether she has passed
a resolution to present vove sword to Maj. Gen Win
field Scott We presume such compliment will be like
wise paid to hun by the Legislature OF his native State
He deserves it much, If not than Gen. Taylor
Correspondence o Baltimore SUM-
WASHINGTON, April "a, 1919
The interesting ceremony Of presenting the sword Gen
Taylor voted by the Virginia Legislature in token of their
appreciation Of his victories in the valley Of the Rio Grande
place III o'clock to-day in the public reception room
of the presidential mansion large concourse had
bd to witness this presenation and listen the addresses
the occasion The committee the part of the State
Virginia consisted of r. Traverse DinieI. W. w Crump,
Henry l. Brooke, Liburn H. Thgg, and Jno. W. Daniel
esq Tires.
This sword--which is said to have cost 81. 4OO-wa,
manufactured by Anne. a. Co., Chcopee, Massachusetts
mened The blade is o,he finest Steel bronzed and
mened with flowers. Among the devices The cabbard
the ht the Goddess of Liberty; in the the
American Eagle; and the point miniature sketch of
the sorming of Monterey The inscription the
bard, viz Presented by the State Of Virginia her dis
tngused son, Major General Zachary Taylor, for his gal
antry and good conduct Palo Alto kesaca de Ia Palma
Monterey, and Buena VISTA" The containing tho
sword and scabbard is of black walnut highly polished
silver anened lined with blue veve and bearing the
simple inscription. blue silver plate, "Major Gen
Zachary Taylor, u s. Army"
The General entered the receptionroom precisely a
O'Clock. having been previously short time with his cab.
met, in cabinet council The committee. who had been
for na an hour in waiting in No s. entered escort.
ed by Hon. C Cabel, of Florida, and Beverly Tucker
esq, Of Virginia, and introduced by MIR. Preston
Secretary Of the Navy, Immediately after Gen. Taylor had
taken his position The General very particular in
his directions that the ladies' should be assigned the best
places witness the ceremonies. | noticed among the
audience Messs Meredith and Reverdy Johnson several
ed funeoaares- The address. the part Of the
tee delivered by Mr. r. Traverse Daniel. chairman.
You will perceive from this report that tonchngly
beautiful; and observed many eye moisten hs
speaker proceeded General Taylor sensbly affected
and this particularly apparent in the hesitation which
marked the delivery of his reply
Mr.. Daniel, in behalf OF the committee, addressed the
President as follows:
GENERAL: In the name OF Virginia, deputed to
present to you SWORD On it is inscribed, in enduring
characters her message of aec,ionae appreciation Pe
sented by VIRGINIA to her distinguished Major General
ZACHARY TAYLOR for his gaausy and good couduc,
battles of Palo Alto Resaca dc la Palma Monterey and
Bnena Vista"
To the modes. of manly worth know that tho Ina.
guage OF personal eulo2y however sincere and welde
served is always unpeasng But there occasions and
this is one, when the full heart may speak ouwhcn,
tcipatng the impartial Judgment of history, may with
offending propriey, render exalted per-
formed by the living that tribute which pu
chase power extothe spontaneous homage OF free
enlightened, and grateful people.
Palo Alto. Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena
Vista. What mingled emotions OF Joy and melancholy
excited by these mas! or grief for the
Brave who sank to rest
By all their country's wishes blsst7
Of exiltaon the proud achievements of the living
those glorious fields
Sir, you cannot know, know, how, at the first 4
threatened shock of arms the Rio Grande, when The
general SURPRISE and without sign Of warning, that gal
liant little band under your command, poorly appointed
few in numbers-p,any of whom had
my-wa' seen opposed to Overwhelming force, of triple
its Numbers, the very flower of the Mexican army
when, all, great loss seemed inevitable, many its
tire des.ruc ton not i'm probabe when in the of
cited expectation the heart Of the nation stood STILL
and the bravest held his breath for time -
you cannot know, say what electric thrill of emulation
shot through that heart when the that
had trum Pied; that victory had impressed upon ysm
standard presfigs which could afterwards de-
sert it.
At Mon terey! What fresh emotions of pride and salts
faction weed up in that heart when the world beheld with
admrng eyes, alone the valor of the soderthe wis
dom of mature and wellconsdered counsels-but that
brighter exhibition of greatness which spared womann
her weakness and child rood in its hepessness and coud
mercifuy temper the spendors of victory still
glorious humanity.
Buena VISTA! 1t is field that will live in story with the
Pass of Thermopysr Where else victory achieved
against such fearful odds Aud when consider cir
cumstances under which you courted that concthe n
trepd boidness of position assumed against the unn'
sructed counses of supefiors, the wisdom of which was
indicated by complies when regard the con
sequences personal tp the oifcer-pocal and military
which would have flowed from disaster our arms
looking TO the Mexican sde think OF the issue
to the commander, struggling for exsencs home, and
setting all upon perhaps there few in om
annals of deeper interest and importance the soldier
the statesman who would study well the history Of bis
country.
Sir for the sterling qualities Of head and heart dis
played on these occasions of trial that the Ms
ton has learned to look you in whose hands
estines will be SAFE who will again illustrate in its his
tory that the successful warrior be the wise and
moderate and prudent statesman; and excm plify again
that truth, SO full of moral beauty, that
"Peacs hath her victories.