The republic., 1851-01-27

heap the altar 70 ask Of the gods their approval OF
your aconsnor does the gilded arch or the imperi.
al title lure you to forfeit, for an empty fame the
solid honors which you have won 10 vol, and wron
so nobly.
But recognising In your matured renown the
confirmation of your earlier promise Virginia re-
CARDS with pride the added evidences of her capa-
city TO contribute to the Republic the services of the
hero and the sage, nor deems it evidence that this
capacity is exhausted because she has in your per.
son united the attributes of both.
General Virginia bids us offer you this gift.
Its sculptured surface bears faint impress of the
scenes Of your glory. Its motto is significant Of
your sagacity and OF your success 1t is gift in
adequate express your worth or her affection But
the gift embodies and embalms the emotions with
which she regards your virtues and your deeds.
Receive this medal, and preserve it, the gift of
devoted mother to cherished and illustrious SON.
During the delivery of this address, General
ScoTT repeatedly bowed in acknowledgment
its conclusion replied
GENrLEMEs OF THE COMMITTEE: It was an apo
thegm of Pericles, that tohere the highest reoards
are gvsn to public uirtus, there he best Of patriots
oiH euer be found.
This maxim of more than one ancient republic
may also be claimed by my native State, the hon
ored Commonwealth of Virginia. Indeed, her 10y
atty to our glorious Union has, from the first, been
most conspicuous in the honors she has ever been
prompt to bestow upon all her sons who have de-
voted themselves to the service Of our common
countryside United States of America. !, one OF
those sons, and who never directly held trust or
commission from her, have, in pursuance of her
generous policy, to stimulate by rstcards, second
time, with third of century between, been made
the object of her distinguished partiality. At the
end ofthe second war with Great Britain, Virginia.
besides giving my name to county. presented
me with splendid sword of honor, which often
wear with pride, and shall transmit with my afec-
tons.
If f"sweet are the uses of adversity''-and have
experienced those trials and prosecutions to which
all public men subject-so may prosperity,
even the glory of this moment, teach Lesson OF
humility. This beautiful object of art, with its
most complimentary device and nscripton--the
audience that honors the OCCASION and the eloquent
but attering address delivered in the name and in
behalf of a great Commonwealth certainly look
like fame, and make it impossible for me to say
that, in respect to distinction, have lived wholly
in vain; but when ! contrast my career with the
fond aspirations of youth-springing from the
study Of the great examples of virtue and useful
ness in ancient and modern history, including the
history Of America, am made humble by the
sense of my own mediocrity.
Gentlemen of the committee, l most gratefully
accept this medal as mark of the continued appro-
baton Of my native State. It will serve daily to
remind me and my posterty that, with God to
worship, each has also country to love, to honor,
and to obey.
The other members of the committee, Messrs.
AYLETT, BEIRNE, CARRINGToN. and BARBOUR,
were then Individually presented to General
ScoTT, as were also large number of the la
dies and gentlemen present. The General was
in full uniform, and SO also were the several
officers Of his staff in attendance.