The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-05
Tribute 10 n D,st,usu,.hed General.

most valuable services TO his country, and won
laurels for his honored brow. He is reaping
the recompense of his tolls in the gratitude and re-
spect Of his countrymen. Ii gives us sincere pleas
to lay before readers another instance OF the
honor which has been paid TO him. native of the
State of New York, from no State could so handsome
compliment have more appropriately Gomez but General
Wool is known to the whole Union, and every patriotic
heart will respond to the honor which he has just re-
ceived.
The sword which was voted 10 him by the State of
New York presented at the Capitol in Albany, on
the 30h December in the presence of alarge and most
respectable crowd of the officers of government the ct
OF the capital and of numerous strangers So great
was the pressure, that the ceremony of presentation was
transferred from the governors room to the front
steps OF the Capitol The correspondent of the
New York Journal of Commerce says that Seen Wool
escorted from Troy by the beautiful military corps of
that city, with fine band, and with many citizens
seighs They were met on the confines of Albany by
the military of that city, and proceeded TO the Capitol,
where the lower rooms were already filled. The civil
and military State officers United States officers,
the vice president and governor elect the speaker of the
Assembly, and many other distinguished individuals,
were present The sword is doubtless one of the most
beautiful things Of the kind that made and will
reflect credit the country work of art, while il
conies honor great State symbol of its high
opinion of the services of of its eminent and
citizens"
Governor Young delivered impressive address on
presenting the sword, 10 which Gen. Wool delivered the
following reply:
| SIR: When soldier reuns from long and perilous
campaign TO his home and his fresde, there ls-there
be-no soace grateful TO his feelings the APP
probation of his elowcitizens: That appreciation has
been manifested various modes by different nations
The Jews received the successful soldier returning from
the field OF battle, with trump and mbe and raised the
wreaths of oak and laurel, with ovations and with the
magnificent triumphal procession; the Engsh with
promotions medals peerages, and pensions; while the
practical Americans have preferred TO manifest their
sense OF military merit by bestowing, generally swords
upon such they believe would wear them with honor,
and sheath them without disgrace.
| In this manner with other demonstrations, my neigh
bors and fellow citizens of city in this vicinity. where
have long had my home, manifested their sense OF my
the limited sphere Of that city, some personal pariaes,
feelings private friendship might have had an in
Auence on popular sentiment 1t was, however, the
home greeting, and you, Sir, can Teady imagine whal
were my feelings. |
But the unanimous appreciation Of the great State OF
New York. Indicated by the votes OF its leg'slaurea
which has ever been my heme-,ln defence OF whose
| frontier | first shed my youthful blood confess has
filled me with emotions, which, although they open all
the genial currents OF the heart, sometimes paayze the
tongue when II would utter the voice OF gratitude can
therefore only say, that the appreciation OF my native
State, expressed twice, during my absence in Mexico,
through the representatives OF the people, is an honor for
which ! entertain the most profound appreciation The
esouons first passed by the legislature were received
soon after the bloody battle of Buena VISTA where so
many gallant spirits fell in defence OF their country
proud moment to learn that my own State had |
given me It's confidence IN advance ana before me news
of the battle had reached lis capital 1t was the hrsi
voice from my country that had reached me in that Wd
and lonely valley, after the surrounding mountains had
echoed the thunder of the battle. 1t than conpen-
stated for all the hadships and pers had endured
was indeed, proud but melancholy monent-a momen,
OF mixed pleasure and sadness; for many who went
with me had fallen TO rise no more:
terngly alluded, commencing with the battle OF Queens
town, my first essay in arms, and terminating with the
campaign IN Mexico, ii becomes not me to speak FOR
those in the OF 1912, must refer to history; and
for those more reccn--o which auson has been made
IA the resolutions OF the legislature as well as IN your
Excelencys addess-o the reports OF the commanding
general, and the evidence of those who Witnessed my
efforts promote the honor and interest of my country
If in long military career, whether in peace war,
have been fortunate in the discharge of the various
and responsible duties conded 10 me- as TO command the
appreciation OF my counirymen ami especially OF my ma
tive State, my ambition is more than satisfied.
1t may not however have escaped notice that censures
! loud and deep avished in consequence OF
the rigorous -denominaied by some tyranncal-disc
pine which | enforced upon the volunteers of my com
mand, whose achievements on the field of battle have
spread their renown throughout the land Those who
have experienced the trials and hardshps to which
the soldier is exposed in foreign have little idea of
their magnitude To the inexperienced, the difficulties
appear nsurmountable TO the undiscpned, they are in
suppogiable. Toll and prvation inevitable. The
country invaded, must be explored-roads and bridges
made. crossed ravines filled hills evelled, and
supplies for and animals procured. If my sol
ders endured hardships, shared them; but they had
no share in my responsibilities If my discipline APP
peared harsh unnecessarily rigorous, it became so
from stern necessity. We were in the heart of the
enerny's country beyond the reach of supplies from
the United States. | could not foresee the amount of
force which might be brought against us, and con-
vigilance requisite for the slightest reaxa
ton of discipline might have been followed by the most
fatal consequences and the very existence of my column
put hazard For at this early day il reported that
ing large army drive he asserted, beyond the
Rio Grandc, If not the Sabine. Depending in great
measure upon the people of the country for supplies, il
essential that their good will should be secured This
could only be done by convincing them that wrong or
injustice intended OF this they became convinced,
and such supplies as required and they could obtain,
were literally furnished 10 establish this state of things
myself and column from disgrace, severe measures and
strict adherence to the rules OF discipline became neces
sary. am, however, proud to say that in the course
of that march OF nine hundred miles, not drop OF
human blood shed, and injury inflicted upon
the inhabitants OF the country. 1t affords me also
great pleasure to say, that many who complained
of my severity, have since publicly expressed their
gratitude for that discipline which they frankly &C
knowledged saved the honor of the American name
and their own lives and honor of the boodiest
battles fought this continent and between
the which now hold dominion North America
1t commenced the birthday of the Father of his
Country and on the following day the Saxon Norman
race, amidst the dres perils that surrounded sol
ders, principally volunteers and in all scarcely number
ing 1900 men, under the command OF the ilustrous
Gen. Taylor, drove than 10000 Mexicans led on
by Santa Anna the great civil and military chieftan of