The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-28
SPEECHES ON THE OCCASION OF THE PREsENTA-
TIOS OF IHE SWORD OF JACKSON.
? HE = =
IN tie SENATE


THuAsDAY FERnuARK 26.
IN the Senate
Mr. CASS addressed the Senate as follows
Mn Passover. must ask the indulgence Of the Senale
for requesting that its usual business may be suspended IN
order TO give opportunity discharge trust which
has been committed TO trust had not the heart 10
decline but which knew had the power 70 fulfil as
such mission should be fulfilled hold in my hand the
sword Of General Jackson which be in all his expe
ditlons while in the military service Of the country, and
which his faithful companion in his last and crownng
victory when New Orleans saved from the grasp Of
rapacous and powerful enemy and ton from the dis
grace and disaster which defeat would have brought in its
train When the hand Of death upon him, General
jackson presented this sword his friend The late Gen
Armstrong as testimonial Of his high appreciation of
the services worth and courage q that most estimabe
citizen and distinguished soldier whose desperate valor
the tide OF Indian and saved
the army from destruction The family OF the iaenied
deposary that death has released him from the
dianship of this OF patriotism, desrous IL
should be surrendered TO the custody Of the national gs
lature believing that 10 be the proper disposition o
mortal which In all time to come viii be cherished
for American people To carry that purpose into ef
4 feet now offer ii in their name to Congress
Mr. President this doubtful relic whose identity
depends upon uncertain tradition and which It's IN
impusiye Imagination Its authenticity 10 es-
tahsbed beyond controversy by the papers which accom-
pany it and il derives its value well from know
edge OF its history its association with the great
captain whose days Of toll and nights Of trouble II shared
and witnessed and who drew II from It's scabbard
but defend the honor and the interests Of his country
This is neither the The place portray those great
traits of character which gave to Gen Jackson the ascend
ency that denied who approached him, and
wonderful influence with his countrymen which mark
ed his whole course from bis upon pub
lie till the grave closed upon his life and bis labors
and left him TO that equality which the mighty and the
cal relations with hm--and trust may add from his
friendship towards me of which had many proofs
cannot withhold the acknowledgment Of the impression
which his high qualities made upon me, and which be-
comes more lasting and profound as time is doing its
work Of separation from the days Of my intercourse with
him.
i bava chs nft The nj
who controlled by events controlling them have stood
prominent among them and will occupy distinguished po-
sons in the annals Of the age; and circumstances have
extended my opportunities Of examination to the Old
World well to the New But say and with deep
conviction Of its truth, that have been brought
into contact with who possessed native sagac
y proiundiy of intellect higher powers OF observa-
ton greater proby OF purpose ardor of patriot
s rnness of resolution after he had surveyed
his position and occupied it. than the laented subject Of
this feeble tribute, him. but truth. And ! will
add that during the process of determination upon inn
portant subjects he sometimes slow, and generally
cautious and nauiring and he has more than once told
me, anxious and uneasy not seldom passing the night
without sleep but be calm in his mind and nexibe
in his win when reflection had given place to decision.
The prevailing opinion that be rash and hasty in his
conclusions founded upon impression Of his
habits of thought and action upon want of dscrimna-
between his conduct before and after his had
pronounced upon his
This is not the first offering Of similar which
has been laid upon the altar of country with the
ton of the Legislative department Of the government
Some years since another precious relic deposited
here, the sword of him who in life first in the aec-
tons of his oounirymen, and in death the first in
their memory. ! need not his Ii is written
in characters of living light every heart and springs
stncvely every tongue His fame is committed time
his example to mankind and himself may humbly hope
the reward Of the righteous When centuries shall have
passed bringing with them the mutations that be-
long to the lapse of ages and country shall yet be full
filling, shall hare fulfilled her magnificent destinytor
good deyoutly hope and for eypilgrims from
and inland seas and from the regions
which now separate but before long by our wonderful
progress unite them Will up the high places
of land consecrated by days and deeds OF worldwide
renown and, turning aside to the humble tomb, dearer
than this proud Capitol they will mediate upon the event
full history of their country, and will recall the example
while they bless the OF Washington
And on the same occasion presented the cane Of
Franklin, which deposited in national archives
with the sword of his friend and coaborer in the great
ofhuman rights Truly and beautifully has il been
said that peace hath its victories well And
nober conquest than that achieved by the
American apprentice printer author statesman ambassa
dor, philosopher and, better than all model of
sense OF the most powerful elements the
my Of nature subdnng its might to his and thus
abng to the sublime nterrogaory addressed
to Job Hcans thou send lghtnings that they may and
say unto thee here areT Yes they AT our
command and say here are ready TO do your work.
And II was ilnstrous countyman who first opened
the for this subugaon Of the fire Of heaven TO the
human will The staff that guided the steps of Franklin
and the sword that guarded Of Washington
well occupy the repository under the Of the
| ton they served and loved and honored.
And now another legacy of departed greatness another
place in the sanctuary assigned TO its predecessor and 70
share with IT the veneraon of the country in whose de-
4 fence it was welded
The memorial OF the first and greatest of Chief Mags
ates and this memorial of his in the admins
ation Of the government and second only him in the
gratitude and affections of the American people win lie
side by side united tokens of patriotic sedevoon and Of
successful military prowess though they who bore them
and gave them value by their services tenants OF
distant and owy graves, separated by mountains, and
rivers and valleys. And in ages shut out from vision
by the far away future when remote generations heirs OF
heritage Of freedom but succeeding without the
labor and the privatons Of acquisition shall gaze they
win gaze upon these testimonials of victories time-worn
but honored they win be carried back by association
to those heroes OF early story and viii 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 Of the minda faculty which enables
as TO triumph the distant and the future wen
The stern realities Of the present gathering around
The mighty dead and the mighty deeds that excite the ad-
niraton OF mankind And viii ever command their respect
and gratitude. And thus will communion be held with
The great leaders Of country 10 in peace who
these swords In their service and hallowed them by
/ their patriotism, their valor, and success
viii read 10 the Senate letters connected with
the circumstance Of this presenistionone from Mr. Nchoi
and the other from Mr. yauis the son-inaw Of the
late Gen. Armstrong
\ NASHVILLE, February Z 1855
DEAR SIN; Doctor W. s. McNairy left here a few DAYS
for Washington having IN charge the sword that
jackson before his death gave 10 Gen Armstrong The
Doctor requested by William NJ Armstrong u whose
keeping il had been left by his ther hand Il over
you his arrival In Washington You / believe were
ing Il presented 70 him by his distinguished friend ii Is
hv In varfo,,v