The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-17


erty and Independence a wider and an ampler
4 field over which to spread peace, happiness and
plenty and a caliner, lovelier more smiling sea
on which TO flap the white wings of her com.
merce. ha th
AT the National Bridge, the detachment to
which you were attached, were attacked with
great intrepidity by the enemy. Several pieces
/ of artillery were abandoned under the heay,
fire from the fort, and several unsuccessful Of
forts We're made to regain them, in which a nun.
Der OF officers and men were cut down These
pieces were indispensable 10 secure the passage
of our troops and prevent n disastrous defeat
| AT this crisis, when all seemed lost, Mississippi
yalor--you, sir, came forward and asked per-
mission, it'll others, to brave the emergency
with fifteen men. The confidence reposed in
you by your superior officer, secured you the
dangerous trust. In the effort you were Sc
vcrely wounded, but refusing the assistance OF
your fellows, and urging them to 90 on, he
piece was regained, by which the fort was ST.
fenced and butchery from a mercilcss foe pre-
vented.
| You have the thanks of the country and your
fcllow-citizens for this and all your professional
actss always characterized by courage and abili-
| ty. Thus, sir, were You deprived of further
achevenents--and so lingering has been your
misfortune, that you have been denied, until this
| time, the congratulations of your friends, and
this expression of the admiration and confidence
of your fellow-citizens.
| Andnow that 'grim-visagcd war hath smooth
ed his wrinkled 'front.'" and you are again
mingling with us in the social circle, and around
the domestic iireside, we greet you with all the
eOrdiality that Southern hearts can feel and open
to you carte blanche on our affections; trust
ing, MS you deserve, that beauty may grant to
you the solace and appreciation of her smiles, and
honor encircle you with her renown.
Accept, sir, this emblem of your profession
and our regard. We know you will wear it
stainless and if again our country calls her he
roes from the slumbers of peace, you will not
be the last or least to obey her summons.
Lieut.. Adams having received the sword thus
rendered him, replied in the following eloquent
language, made still more touching by the grace
full and modest manner in which it was uttered.
receive, sir, this gift from the too generous
hands of my fellow citizens and friends, with
emotions Of gratitude to which can give but
feeble expression Whatever may have been
the perils or sufferipgs of the soldier, the sue
cess of his country in the field, coupled with the
assurance of his countrymen that he has per-
formed his duty to their satisfaction, is the only
reward he seeks. | feel that am more indebted
to the kind Partially Of friends, than to any
extraordinary merits of my own, for the bonor
you have this day done me. Compared to the
many brilliant feats Of arms that TRANSFERRED in
our recent war with Mexico, my own humble
services sink into obscurity. After the naval
forces to which was attached, had reduced and
seized all the posts of the enemy on the Attain
tic, obtained permission of my commander to
volunteer under Gen. Scott, in the campaign
against the city of Mexico. 1t was my highest
ambition to lend my personal aid in the reduc-
ton and conquest Of that proud and luxurious
city, so long celebrated as the halls of the Mon
tezulnas, and then the last retreat of our UNI
yielding foe In this ardent hope | was disap-
pointed. On the ascent of the army from Vera
Cruz to Mexico, was cut down in. a conflict
with the enemy at the National Bridge, and thus
N.Y. The city fell, however, after the most won
derful OF battles in modern warfare.
The hammered eagle Of eur country YVES Int
ed on the ofiiest palace Ivy the command CT cur
own gallant Quitnlan, and proudly babe defiance
to a nation hitherto scctniul Of the arms of Tie
world in the great drama. to which you have
so eloquently alluded, tho volunteers from Mis-
sissippi bore conspicuous part. TIE Rio
Grande is studded with the bloody monuments
of their yaor, and Monterey and Buera Vista
are the browning glories Of their famc, The
fruits Of our conquest are now realized, not
only in the national renown OF our arms, but IN
the accession of domain bounded alone by
the barriers of nature, and burtbened with rich
es far surprising the marvels of either ancient
or modern times. This theme has become too
familiar TO permit of further remark from me.
will only add that in my absence from the
State ! have learned TO cherish IFS well earned
fame with more glowing enthusiasm, and to
love our common home with increased devotion.
The native beauty and loneliness OF the far
ones that enshrine our domestic hearths, cou-
pied with the deep interest they always take in
the fate of the citizen soldier, lend charm to
Mississippi which no human heart can resist.
Since my arrival in your midst, have expert
enced such cordially and kindness as can never
be effaced from my recollection; but when, in
addition, You bestow upon me this memento of
your generous confidence, am filled with re-
pret that my services had not been c0mmensu-
rate with your generosity. 1t shall be treas,ir-
ed as the most precious boon of my life and
should the clarion which so lately ceased its
stirring notes, again summon us to the field,
here pledge myself that this bright blade shall
be found where honor and duty call
Lieut. Adams was frequently applauded in the
delivery of his speech, and Mt the conclusion
every one mingled in the loud appreciation that
ensued He is one of the few Mississippians in
the United States service, and we hold him in
our highest regard for his noble conduct. His
future promotion will always be source of So
citude to every brave and true-hearted Missis-
sippian :, !.
The sword is executed in a chastc and beauti-
full style The hilt is Of silver and the sheath OF
solid gold. Upon one side is engraved: Pre-
scented to Brevet LIST Lieut.. Adams, U. s. NJ, by
the citizens of Jackson, Miss, for his gallantry
in the Mexican War of l847." On the reverse
is" Engaged in all the naval actions of the
Mexican volunteered In the campaign OF
TIE CITY of Mexicn, and was severely wounded
nj the battle nf Tho National Bridge" There is
arlci alao, tho Cui.cd States coat Of arms and
b@s:,s::li, IN anchor, 49,
We said, in our last, that we proposed, under
the head of the Southern Question:" to devote
portion Of paper to the vindcatlon of South
ern rights and honor, showing the clear constitu-
tiona rights for which the South contends, and
the sentiments Of the Southern States in maintain
ing them. The first question which presents IT.
self is, what are those rights' The first is, the
great right Of equality Of the States, which lies