Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-27
THIRTY -THIRD CON G II II 3.
SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
MONDAY, February 20, 1855.

SENATE.
MONDAY, February 20, 1856.
PRESENTATION OF GENERAL JAcKsos's SWORD.
| Further remarks were suspended to allow the
presentation of the sword worn by General jackson
in the battle of New Orleans, presented to Congress
| from the family of General Armstrong, deceased.
The sword being laid on Mr.. CASS' desk he took
| il in hand and proceeded to deliver an eloquent
address on the life and public services of General
jackson.
Mr.. BELL followed Mr. CAss in a brief speech,
and, in conclusion submitted a resolution express
sive of the thanks Of Congress to the heirs OF
General Armstrong for the gift and directing its
preservation in the Department OF State
On motion of Mr. GWIN, the address of Mr..
CAss and Mr.. BELL were ordered to be incorporated
in the journal of the Senate Directions were also
| given that the Secretary of the Senate carry the
sword to the House of Representatives, and request
1 that body tC concur in the joint resolution which
the Senate had passed.
| The Navy Reform bill was then resumed.
| Mr.. CLAYTON said go for the bill because it
achieves all the good that upon this subject we can
| get at the present session. My colleague objects
that it establishes inquisitiona tribunal Every
body knows that our navy wants retrenchment as
to inefficient officers. If they cannot stand re-
view before their own comrades they ought to be
displaced. In the last war our navy was the right
| arm of our national defence. wish to make and
keep 1t efficient. We have inquisitional tribunals
everywhere, civic and military a matter of reci-
| procity This.is no more than any examining COM
mittee.
Mr.. SHIELDS opposed the amendment, and ia
| vored the bill rs 1t was. The amendment was then
rejected--yeas Z, nays 26.
Mr.. MORTON moved an indefinite postponement
of the bill, and asked the yeas and nays, which
sulted-yeas ., nays "a.
The bill then passed with the amendments made
by the House.
The Post Office Appropriation bill was taken up
and passed by large vote. Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESENTATION OF GENERAL JAcKsoN's SWORD.
The Secretary of the Senate at this point, APP
peared at the door of the main aisle, holding Gen
eral Jacksons sword in one hand, and in the other
the Senate's resolution accepting the weapon, and
returning thanks to the family of the late General
Armstrong for the gift accepting it in the name of
the nation
Mr. SMITH, Of Tennessee, asked the House now
to proceed to the consideration of the Senates
luton.
No dissent was expressed.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Kentucky, suggested that the
ladies outside, who cannot get into the crowded
galleries, be admitted to the floor of the hall, as
the ceremonies promised to be interesting. He
moved the rules be suspended for that purpose.
Much confusion ensued, and the yeas and nays
were demanded. While persons from every di-
rection were bringing chairs into the hall to &C
commodate the fair ones several gentlemen arose
and addressed the Speaker, who said he could re-
ceive proposition owing to the great disorder If
it was the purpose Of the House to transact BUSH
ness amid such noise, they must select some other
presiding officer. This had the effect of restoring
decorum. The rules were suspended, when the
SPEAKER directed the officers of the House to
execute the order by throwing open the doors to
the ladies'
Voices: "They ought not to come in" "toh,
yes--I should like to have one of them at my
side" Laughter.
Mr.. CORWIN, looking up to the ladies' gallery,
said he would surrender his seat to any lady who
world come down and take it, whether strong
minded or common-minded woman. Laughter.
His galantry elected good humor, and was highly
commended. Upwards of twenty ladies were es-
corted into the hail. and provided with seats among
the members, who evidently enjoyed their society.
The SPEAKER having called the House TO
order,
Mr.. SMITH, OF Tennessee, after eloquentiy
speaking Of the duty and Importance, as custom
airy in all ages and countries, of commemorating
the deeds Of illustrious men, said the warriors OF
the revolution and Of 1912, have established for
ever our rank among the nations OF the earth. The
actors in those stirring and eyentfu scenes are fast
ten, must soonbe gathered 70 their fathers. Duty
and gratitude, therefore, prompt US to gather the
trophies Of the victors TO speak TO future genera
tons who will keep the memory of their deeds OF
noble daring, alive forever in the heart OF the
country. Not long before the death OF jackson
he placed this sword in the hands of friend TO be
delivered TO his compatriot, Robert Armstrong,
who in an eminent degree commanded his respect
and enjoyed his confidence. Those two patriots
shared together the hardships Of the camp and the
dangers Of the battlefield; and therefore, 1t was
fitting that Gen. Armstrong should be the recipi
emit Of the sword. II should become the property
Of the government to be placed among the tro-
phies Of our victory, while associated with the
names of two Of the bravest Of the brave, whose
deeds are recorded on the brightest pages Of our
country's annals.
| Mr.. Z0LLICOFFER, who represents the Her
mitage district where the great man lived and
| where his remains are entombed, said the martial
renown Of jackson has become national property.
The brave, the world over, pay his heroic spirit
due honor and even the boldest when treading
| the paths Of danger walk more erect and con-
fdent under the broad sunlight Of his chivalrous
| history. Tennessee must ever feel deep inter
| est in the military rcnown Of jackson and his
unquestionable personal horoism; and he hesitated
not 70 say that feeling has contributed in no small
degree TO the full development Of that chivalrous
sentiment which has ever characterized the Ten
| nessee troops, when their country has demanded
ed their services in the field.
He could speak with the more freedom, and
without bias, because he had ever been in an.
| tagonism to those who claim TO be the special
/ political friends Of jackson. Let the sword be
preserved and handed down TO posterity let II be
deposited with the sword and campchest of Washing
ton, and with the staff and printing press of Frank
lin with those most precious relics preserved and
cared for, as high incentives TO honorable, am
bilious American youth, as long as liberty shal
have a home and Ms long as the union o.
these States shall have existence among the nations
Of the earth. In concluding, he said that Robert
Armstrong was his neighbor and friend, one o
the bravest and most msgnanimous and freest heart
ed men IL was ever bis fortune 10 know.
Mr.. BENTON remarked that the world knows II
what manner this sword was welded for the honol
and benefit Of the country, but the world has mo-
known, but few contemporaries know, and poster
ty will not know, unless the inside Of history i
given, what difficulties had 10 be encountered ant
surmounted before the privilege Of using this swort
for the benefit Of the country was obtained. The,