The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-27
A RELIC PRESENTED TO THE NATION.
Eulogies on Gen. Jackson in both Houses
of Congress.
ELOoUEST ADDRESS OF GENERAL CAss.
THE NEW COURT Of CLAIMS.
smOortant Decisions of the London Commission
VuRTF-CGIRD CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION,
Senate,

wAsmyGroS, Feb. 26, 1855.
rHR NAVY REFORM
The Navy Reform bill was taken up
Mr. PRATT. (whig) of Nd, offered an amendment TO
place surgeons on the sane footing with officers
Mr. MORTON, (whg) Of Fla.-l am opposed to~the
princpls of the bill, sud to the amendment II assent
to tho consideration of the amendment, can move for
an ndsante mt in Subsequent stage of the
SillS
Mr.. PRATT-Yes
Mr.. SHIELDS, (dem O! ILL., move to admit ladies' to
the aoor OF the Senate to witness the presentation oil
General Jackson's sword.
uAyresd.u was lie ard from all parts of the Senate,
vbereupon the ladies' admitted in crowds-the gal
lery bsiug full Of thea before
Mr. PRArr-I ash the ayes and nays on my amend
nent.
Mr. MALLORY (dem Of Fla.-The bill as it went from
the Senate was goethe House improved it, and the
committee and both houses concurred IT, after thirty
years service, officers cannot stand examination of
the Board they ought to retire. The Board only
mends-the Secretary of the Navy drst the President
Iecond and the Senate last have to in order
make the recommendation valid II the bill goes back
It fails trust the amendment will not be adopted.
Mr. BAYARp-T OBJECT 70 tao Board because it takes
away responsibility nom the President. am in favor
Of reform in the navy Hut not such board contem
PLATED
TO- therefore anend0ent which all admit to be right
viii secure the concurrence Of the House.
Mr. MoRToS-The ~ nate know that seldom trouble
them about bills which do not Immediately my
constituents am opposed, in principle and detail, 10
this bill There is IMPRESSION, both here and abroad,
believe It. The personnel OF the American navy
compares favorably sith that OF any other country,
and favoraby with that OF itself at any former period
believe the navy full Of gallant spirits it in
1872 We need reform, but only to get officers into
more active sev1e deFs are too %any oseGs for
posed to the principles OF our institutions. Officers
brought before it cant get witnesses in their behalf,
be properly defended Tie President Of the United
States can put the Surplus officers furloughs, or
the reserved list There is not captain in
navy who was not engaged ia The war OF 1872.
Mary Of them carry uoun6s received in that war Shall
these old officers essssed under the proposed review?
GENERAL JAcKsoS's FAMOUS BATTLE SWORD Presented TO
Mr. here suspended his req, rks to allow the sword
by General Jackson at the battle Of New Oreaus
70 presented to Congress from the family Of the late
General Armstrong.
The sword then placed on General cass' desk. :.
Mr. GArs rose apd raising the sword, said -
Mr.. PREsIDENT-I must ask the indulgence Of the
Ser ate for requesting that it's usual business may be
suspenaed TO give me an opportunity to discharge
rust which has been committed to me-. trust 1
had not the heart decline, but whi.h know had
cot the power 10 fulfil such mission SHOULD be
fulfilled. hold in M hand the sword Of General
Jackson which be vors in all his expeditions, while
in the military ce OF the country, and which
his faithru como,non in his last aud browning vic.
tory, when New Orleans asved from the grasp OF
raPacious and powerful! enemy AMI oar nation from
the disgrace and the disaster which defeat would have
upon him. Gen. JacEson presented this sword to his
friend the late ecu Arm strong testimonial of his
nigh appreciation of the ervices, worth and courage Of
that most estimabs citizen and distinguished soldier
whose desperate yalor on one occasion, stsyei the
destruction. The family of the ameI ted depositary
that death has released him from the guardian
chip of this treasure OF patriotism, are DESTROYS it
should be surrendered to the custody Of the National
legislature believing that 20 be the proper disposition
of memorial which in all time to come, will be che
rshed for the American people 70 carry that pur
low o N Il
NJ president-This is no doubtful relc,, whose
identity depends upon uncertain tradtion, and viii eh
owes ita interest TO 81 impulsiye imagination. Its
authenticity is established heyerd controversy by the
papers which accompany il, and i derives its value
its association With the great captain, whose days
OF ton and nights OF trouble it shared and wit
defend the honor and in.erest ot lus inry This il
neither the time the place TO portray those great
cndancy that no man ever deLea Who approached him
and that wonderful influence with his countrymen which
Married Amos. ms whole course Jpn hs ran upon
IaboIs aad left him to taat equality whish the mighty
and tho lowly must find a. last si from persona
and official relations with hir1-and trust may add
from his friendship toward me, of which had many
proofsI cannot Withhold the sledgme of the
impression which his high qualities made upon me- and
which becomes more lasting and profound as time /.
Going its work Of separation fso tue Gays of my inter
course with him Ihaye been no careless observer OF
The men my time, who controlled by ev, nts or
trolcy tler,, have stood prom ncnt aGong thom and
will occupy distinguished positions in tue annals OF the
of animation TO the Old World as well as to the rev
But say AID with deep conviction oil its truth, that
possessed more native sagsSy mote profundity OF In
teeIt higher powers Of obser a,n greater probity
OF purpose, more arcor Of patIots nor more rnness
Of resouen sitter lie bad surveyed his position and oc
sopied it, than the lsnenttd subiec. VI this feeble
tribute not to hia but TO truth. And, will
upon suportant subjects he was sometimes slow and
generally cautious and inquiring, aad he has more
than .nee told NE, anxious ana un asy, no. seldom
Eirot 10 MIL a
mind and flexible in his will when reflection had given
place 70 decision The prevslng oPiaion ma he wa
erroneous impression OF his habits OF thought anu &C
tioa-upon want OF discrimination between his conduc
before and after his judgment mad pronounced upon hi
course This is not the FIRST offering u similar nature
which has been laid upon the altar OF our countr,
with the sanction o! the legislative depar,mant OF t'
government Some years since, another precious reuC
1epcsited herethe sword Of him Who, in lite, wal
hrst in the affections Of his counrymsn and In death
is the FIRST in their memory. NEED not name III!
name; il is written in characters OF living light on
every hart and springs nsnctivey to every tongue
Kind. and himself we NAV hum6iy hops, to the re.
ward Of the righteous. When centuries shall have
passed over us, bringing with them the mutations
yet be fuldlling shsll have fulfilled, her may
nacent destiny for good, | devouty hope, aud
not for evil pilgrims from oceans coasts and
inland seas and from the vast regions ~h CHI sepa
rate but ere long BY wonderful progress must uni q
them M come up to ss ss A rsSs 81
turning aside to the humble tomb, dcarer than this
proud capitol, WI mediate upon the eventual history
OF their country and wall recall the example, whil'
they bless the name Of Washington. Aud on the
same occasion presented the Of Frank
lin which was deposited in our national archives
with the sword Of his friend and co.laboyer IN
the great cause Of human rshts. Trely ani beauti
fully has Il been sad that peace hath its victories
as well as war. And never nober conquest won
than that achieved by the American apprsnt, e,
printer, author, statesman, subassador. phloso
pher, and better than all, model OF common sense
over one OF the most powerful elements in the econo
my Of nature subduing its might to his own and TIM.
enabling man 10 answer the subne interrogatory ad
dressed 10 job Cans. thou send lightning that they
nav 20 and say unto thee, Here we arein Yes, they
noy come Of our command and say. Hero we are
ready 70 do your work-and Il was our lustrous
tryman who rst opened the way for the subiugaton
the Gre OF Heaven to the human viii. The stsd tina
guided the steps Of Franklin aud The sword that guard