The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1849-05-02
PRESENTATION OF THE SWORD 10
CEN. TAYLOR.

YeEieniHv. al II osellrk. he Sworn
voted by The Legislature Of Virginia % Ms-
lar General Taylsr. gnaw President oi ne
uniled States 10 honor ~ The Distinguish NJ
ed courage snd conduct displayed ~ nan
ii his yirlnTinns achievements ~ = sAleo.
Wa ppsenird Il him. Al ne Presidential
Mansion. by ne conininee oidisilngnisil-
81 eaizen- II Virginia whose names have
been already mentioned.
The COMMITTEES having been introduced
IL lhe President ty Mr.. Preston. Secra-
assIy a. the Navy. Mr.. Daniel. in h.half
Of The committee. addressed The President
10 the following terms:
GkSRRAL In The name 81 Virginia. We
sre depuled 10 present 10 you . sword.
On il is inscribed. in enduring characters.
her message Of sfrClionaie sPpiul,alian.
q Presented by Virginia 10 her distinguish
ei son. Major General Zsrhary TaylnT.
for his gaIlantry and good eondurl ~ the
battles az Psla Alto. Resaca de Ia Palma.
Mopleiey. and Buena Vista.
To the modest ear Of manly worth We
know lhsi the language Of personal eniogv.
however sincere aud well deseryediis al.
ways unpleasing. But there are occa-
sians. and this Il one. when the iuiI heart
may speak on.-when. anticipating the i'm
raTiisijmfgmenl ofhisnry. il may. without
offending ptopriely. render 20 exalted ser
vices perinrmed hy The living Thai tribute
vhirh treasure cannot purchase nor power
fAinrl-lhe spontaneous homage ola free,
enlightened. and grateful pc csle..
Palo Alto. Resata de Ia Palma. Monte
rey. and Bncna Vista! What mingled
emotions IL jny and melancholy are excl.
ted by these names! or grief for the
!. Brave Whs sank to rest.
BY all their couniyis wishes blest-
of exullaiion Al The proud achievements Of
the living on those glorious fields.
.yonc1nnol know. n we know. how.
al ihr fsi threatened shock al arms On tn
RIO Grande. when. 10 the general surprise.
snd without sign 81 warning. illal gallant
hiile band under your command, poorly
appointed. few in numbers many OF
whom had never met an enemy-was seen
opposed 10 an nyerw helming fore. uf
tliple It's own numbers, The very ilnwer nf
tile Mexican army: when. % all. great
loss seemed inevitable. 10 niany ITS entire
deslruclion mol improbable when. N the
pause Of exrned expectation, the very
heart Of lie nation sloud still,
And the brayesi held his breath for tines"
van cannol know. say, what an electric
thrill OF exulfailan shot through thai heart
when the news game 10 ns tia, you had
trumphcd: Thar victory had impressed up.
on yonr standard that prestige which could
never afterwards descr, il.
A, Monterey What fresh emotions
Of pride and satisfaction welled UP in tlfai
heart when The world behehi Win admir-
ing ewes, not alone the valor Of he soldier
the wisdom 0f mature and well.consi-
drred counsels- but that brighter eNhIbi-
lion Of greatness which spared woman in
her weakness and childhnod il lis help
lessnpss. and could Incredibly temper The
snlendors Of victory with a sian more glo-
fious humanity.
Buena Vista! I, is field thai will live
in story with the Pass Of fhermopylG.
Where else vas victory ever achieved
against such fcatful odds ! Aud when
we considerihe circumstances under which
YOU courted thai coniiici-ihe intrepid
b dness Of position assumed against The
uninslrucied coun.cls of supetiors, the
wisdom Of which was vindicated by COM
plele success; when we regard the cnnse-
quenees, Personal 10 The nfirer-poliical
and military which would have flowed
from disaster 10 our arms; or, locking To-
The Mexican side, think Of The momeiiInu-
issue TO the commander, struggling Tor ex-
i-,ence al home, and setting all npnn a
cast. perhaps there are few events in our
annals OF deeper interest and importance
III the soldier OF ffie statesman who would
study we'll The history o! his country.
Sir, ii was for the sterling qualities Of
head and heart displayed on these occa-
siDns Of uncommon trial that the nation
has LEANED 10 look 10 YOU as one IN whose
hands its deslnies will be safe; who wilt
again illustrate in lis history that the sue
cesslul warrior may yet be the wise and
moderate and prudent slaesman; and ex-
emplify again thai truth, SO full Of moral
beauty, that
Peace hath her victories,
No less renowned than war"
Nv your administration, sir, rebound
to the honor aud prosperity ofuur beloved
country; anti. that well over. III retirement
NAY lie even no o. a well spent life be