Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-03-06
III The Senate.

mented depository now that death has released
him from the guardianship Of this treasure OF pa
triotsm, are DESTROYS i should be surrendered to
thecastody Of the national legislature, beviug that
to be the proper disposition Of a memorial which,
in al time to come will be cherished one FOR the
American people. To carry that purpose into ei-
feet now offer it in their name to Congress.
Mr.. President, this is no doubtful relic whose
identity depends upon uncertain tradition and which
owes its interest to an mpulsive Imagination Its
authenticity is established beyond controversy by
the papers which accompany it; and it 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 1t shared and wit
messed and who never drew il from its scabbard
but to defend the honor and the interest OF his
country.
This is neither the timenor place to portray those
great traits OF character which gave to Gen. jack
son the ascendsncy that no man ever denied who
| approached him. and that wonderful influence with
his countrymen which marked almost his whole
course from his entrance upon public career till
the grave closed upon his life and his labors and
left him to that equality which the mighty and the
| lowly must find at last. Still, from my personal
| and official relations with him-and trust may
add from his friendship towards me- OF which had
many proofs-I cannot withhold the acknowledge
| ment of the impression which his high qualities
! made upou me- and which becomes more lasting
| end profound as time is doing its work of separa-
ton from the days of my intercourse with hin.
| have been no careless observer of the men of
nv 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-
| tunities of examination to the Old World as well
| as to the New. But 1 say, and with deep con-
yction of its truth that have never been brought
| into contact with man who possessed more ma
tive sagacty, profundity Of intellect higher
powers Of observation or greater probty of pur
pose more ardor of patriotism, nor more frmness
of resolution after he had surveyed his position and
occupied it, than the lsented subject of this feeble
tribute, not to him, but to truth. And will add
that, during the process of determination upon i'm
portant subjects he was sometimes slow, and gen.
orally 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 inflexibe in his will when refiec-
ton had given place to decision. The prevailing
opinion that he was rash and hasty in his conclu-
sions is founded upon an erroneous impression of
his habits Of thought and action; upon want Of
discrimination between his conduct before end af-
ter his Judgment had pronounced upon his course
This is not the first offering of similar nature
which has been laid upon the altsr of our country
with the sanction of the legislative department Of
| the government. Some years since another pre-
cious relic was deposited here, the sword of him
who IN life, was first in the affections of his coun-
trymen, and in death is now the first in their
memory. / need not name his pane 1t is writ
ten in characters of living light every heart and
springs instinctivey 70 every tongue. His fame is
committed to time, his example to mankind, and
himself We may humby hope to the reward Of the
righteous When centuries shall have passed over
US bringing with them the mutations that belong
to the lapse Of ages and our country shall be full
filing or shall have fulfilled her magnificent des-
tny-for good devoudy hope, and not for evil
pilgrims from our ocean coast and cur inland seas
aud from the wat regions which now separate but
before long by our wonderful progress must unite
them, will come up to the high places Of our land
consecrated by days aud deeds of worldwide re-
nowu; and, turning aside to the humble tomb,
dearer than this proud Capitol they will mediate
upon the eventul history of their country and will
recall the example while they bless the name of
Washington.
And on the same occasion was presented the
cane of Franklin, which was deposited in Our na-
tionsl archives with the sword of his friend and CO.
lsbcrer in the great cause of human rights Truly
and beautifully has it 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, subduing its might to his
own, and thus enabling man TO answer the sublime
interrogatory addressed to Job, "cans't thou send
lghtnings that they may go and say unto thee here
we are2' Yes they now come at our command
and say here we are ready to do your work. And
it was our ilustrious countryman who first opened
the way for this subjugatOn of the fire of heaven
to toe human will. The staff that guided the
steps Of Franklin and the sword that guarded the
person Of Washington may well occupy the same
repository under the of the nation they served
and loved and honored.
And now another legacy OF departed greatness,
another weapon from the srgHory Of patriotism,
comes to claim its place in the sanctuary assigned
to its predecessor and TO share with it the venera-
ton Of the country II whose defence 1t was WELD
ed.
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 to him in the gratitude and affections
of the American people, will lie side by SIDE uni
ted tokens OF patriotic self-devoon and Of success
ful military proves, though they who bore them
and gave them value by their services are now
tenants of distant and lowly graves separated by
mountains, and rivers, and valleys. Aud in ages |
shut out from our vision by the far away future,
when remote generations, heirs of our heritage of
freedom but succeeding tn it without the labor and !
the privations OF acquisition, shall gaze, IS they |
will gaze upon these testimonials ofyctores, time
worn but tme-honored, they will be carried back |
by association TO those heroes of early story, and
will find their love Of country strengthened, and |
their pride in her institutions, and their confidence
in her fate and fortunes increased by this powerful
faculty which enables Us to triumph over the dis
tant and the future as well over the stern Tea !
ties of the present gathering around us the mighty
dead and the mighty deeds that excite the sdrirs-
ton Of mankind, and will ever command their re-
spect and gratitude. And thus will communion be
held with the great leaders of our country in war
and in peace who wore these swords in their SER
vice, and halowed them 10y their patriotism, their
valor and success.
! will now read to the Senate two letters con-
nected with the circumstance Of this presentation
one from Mr.. Nicholson and the other from Mr..
aux, the son-in-aw of the late General Arm
strong:
NASHVILLE, Feb. :, 1856.
DglE SIR: Doctor W. s. NcNairy left here a
rew DAYS ago for Washington, having in charge the
sword that Gen. jackson before his death gave to
Gen. Armstrong The Doctor was requested by
VIM. NJ Armstrong Gin whose keeping it had been
eft by his father to har it over TO you on his ar
iyal ia Washington. You, believe, were present
!. the time General Arms 70 lg had the honor Of
having it presented to him by his distinguished
rieud. II the sword worn by Gen. Jackson IN
lis various campaigns and during the whole time
e remained in the military service of his country.
t is therefore Justly regarded ~ relic OF great
alue. 1t was Gen. Armstrong wish that 1t should