Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-27
Congrfssional.
THIRTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
senate-Monday, February 20, 1885.

returned from the House OF Representatives, with
amendments.
The discussion was interrupted by the arriva
of the hour OF twelve o'clock, at which time an
interesting ceremony was fixed 10 take place,
namely: the presentation TO Congress OF the
sword which was worn by General Jackson in the
service Of his country.
| On motion of Mr.. SHIELDS, the rules were
| suspended, in order to accommodate the ladies,
| who were admitted TO the floor of the Senate.
Mr.. CASS made the presentation, reading the
| correspondence which made known the desire of
the heirs of General Armstrong that his sword
should be presented 10 Congress. He said:
| Mr.. PRESIDENT must ask the indulgence Of the
Senate for requesting that its usual business may
be suspended TO give me an opportunity to dis
charge trust, which has been commit ed TO me.
A trust had not the heart to decline, but which |
| knew had not the power to fulfil, as such a mis-
sion should be fulfilled | hold in my hand the
sword Of General Jackson, which he wore in all
his expeditions, while in the military servic Of
the country, and which was his faithful companion
! in his last and browning victory, when New
Orleans was saved from the grasp OF a rapacious
| and powerful enemy, and our nation from the
disgrace and disaster, which defeat would have
brought in ITS train. When the hand Of death
| was upon him, General Jackson presented this
| sword to his friend, the late General Armstrong,
as a testimonial Of his high appreciation of the
| services, WORTH and courage OF that most estima-
BILE citizen and distinguished soldier whose des-
| perate valor on one occasion, stayed the tide of
Indian success, and saved the army from destruc-
! ton. The family ofthe lamented depositary, now
| that death hassreleased him from the guardian
ship OF this treasure of patriotism, are DESTROYS il
should be surrendered TO the custody Of The Ma
tonal Legislature, believing that TO be the proper
| depository Of a memorial which, in all time to
come, will be a cherished one for the American
people. To carry that purpose into effect, l now
offer il in their name 10 Congress.
Mr.. President, this is no doubtful relic whose
identity depends upon uncertain tradition and
which owes its interest 10 an impulsive magma
ton. Its authenticity is established beyond con-
troversy, by the papers which accompany il, and
il derives its value, as well from our knowledge
OF its history as from its association with the
great Captain whose days of toll and nights of
trouble il shared and Witnessed and who never
drew il from its scabbard but TO defend the honor
and the interests Of his country.
This is neither the time nor place 10 portray
| those great traits of character, which gave to
General Jackson the ascendency that no man ever
denied, who approached him. and that wonderful
influence with his countrymen which marked al
most his whole course from his entrance upon
public till the grave closed upon his life and
his abors, and left him 10 that equality, which the
mighty and the owly must find al last. STILL from
my personal and official relations with him, and ]
trust may add, from his friendship towards me,
Of which had many proofs cannot withhold the
high qualities made upon me, and which becomes
more lasting and profound time is doing its
work of separation from the days Of my inter-
course with him.
have been no careless observer Of the men Of
my time who controlled by events, or, controlling
them, have stood prominent among them and will
occupy distinguished positions in the annals of the
age ; and circumstances have extended my oppor-
tunites Of examination 10 the old world as well as
10 the new. But say, and with deep convic-
ton of its TRUTH that have never been brought
into contact with map who possessed more ma
tive sagacity, more proiundity of intellect, higher
'spowers Of observation, greater probiiy of pur-
pose, more ardor OF patriotism, nor more frmness
OF resolution, after he had surveyed his position
and occupied il, than the lamenled subject ofthis
feeble tribute, not 10 him, but 10 truth. And |
will add that during the process OF determn alton
upon important subjects he was sometimes slow
and generally cautious and inquiring, and he has
more than once told me, anxious and uneasy, not
seldom passing the night without sleep, but he
was calm in his mind and inhexibe in his will,
when reflection had given place 10 decision. The
prevailing opinion that he was rash and hasty in
his conclusions is founded upon an erroneous i'm
preston of his habits of Thought and action upon
a want of discrimination between his conduct, be-
fore and after his judgment had pronounced upon
his course.
This is not the first offering OF similar nature
which has been laid upon the altar of our country
with the sanction OF the Legislative department
Of the government. Some years since, another
preciou. relic was deposited here, the sword OF
him who in life was first in the affections of his
countrymen, and in death is now the first in their
memory. / need not name his name. 1t is writ
ten in characters of living light on every heart,
and springs instinctively TO every tongue. His
fame is committed TO time, his example 10 man.
kind, and himself, we may humbly hope, to the
reward OF the righteous. When centuries shall
have passed over US, bringing with them the mu-
tations that belong 10 the lapse OF ages, and our
country shall yet be fulfilling, or shall have fulfill
ed her magnificent destiny for good devoutly
hope, and not for evil, pilgrims from our ocean
coasts and our inland seas, and from the vast re-
gions which now separate, but ere long, by our
wonderful progress, must unite them, will come
up TO the high places Of our land consecrated by
DAYS and deeds OF worldwide renown. And
turn aside 10 the humble tomb dearer than this
proud Capitol, they will mediate upon the event
ful history Of their country and will recall the ex
ample, while they bless the name OF Washington.
And on the same occasion was presented the
cane OF Franklin, which was deposited in our ma.
tional archives, with the sword Of his friend and
co-aborer IN the great cause OF human rights.
Truly and beautifully has il been said, that peace
hath its victories as well as war. And never was
nobler conquest won, than that achieved by the
American apprentice, printer, author, statesman,
ambassador, philosopher, and, better than all,
model of common sense, over one OF the most
powerful elements in the economy Of nature, sub.
DUNG its might TO his own, and thus enabling man
TO answer the sublime interrogatory addressed TO
job Canst thou send lighinings that they may go
and say unto thee, Here we arc2 Yes, they now
come at our command and say, Here are,
ready TO do your work--and il was our ilustri-
Gus countrymsn who first opened the way for this
subjugation Of the fire OF Heaven 10 the human
will The staff that guided the steps Of Franklin,
and the sword that guarded the person Of Wash
ington, may well occupy the same repository, un.
der the care Of the nation they served and loved,
and honored.
And now another legacy Of departed greatness,
another weapon from the armory of patriotism,
comes TO claim its place in the sanctuary assigned
10 it's predecessor, and TO share with il the venera-
ton OF the country in whose defense il was
| welded.
The memorial of the first and greatest Of our
! chief magistrates, and this memorial Of his sue.
cessor in the administration of the government.
and second only him in the affections and graft.
tudc Of the American people, will lie side by side
united tokens of patriotic selfdevotion, and oil
successful military prowess, though they who bore
| them and gave them value by their services, are
now tenants OF distant (iowly graves, separated
4 by mountains and rivers and valleys. And in
ages shut out from our visions by the far away fu
4 turc when remote generations, heirs Of our heri
tage OF freedom, but succeeding TO IL, without the
l - -. IN