New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-11
s the hero Of the occson ia concerned 4 Is unminged

with any doubts or regrets or qualifications. Al
dreadful necessarily is, and as paipfol o. The
prevent war more than all others, must necessarily DC
to the whole American PEOPLE, the position of Mao,
Anderson IN the defence II Fort Sumter IL exempt
from any responsibility OF the military conflict then OF
The military conflict now. However greatly meu may
differ Us to TIE necessity Of the present there can
be uo difference OF sentiment as 10 the conduct oil Ma
jor Anderson at that trying moment.
Ii il approved aI once by the highest standard IL
military duty aud necessity, es well ~ the require
ments of an elevated and patriots: citizenship ne
acted moon the defense He defended The pro erty,
she hopor and the flag Of bis country and he did i not
only in pursuance of bis general duties as socier,
but of the orders of the Government whose agen' ne
was aud in some respects, IL may be said 10 stand
almost alone in the mi itary history OF the st tnrse
months. II ID certainly contra distinguished III hs
attendant circumstances from all others.
Major Anderson made attack on any people, hny
government, any authority, real or assumed ne
clothed with certain resi- liabilities the eyes OF
the American Union fixed upon bin, ard be met tnete
responsibilities nobiy. lie met them ia manner
which reflects the highest credit the arms OF the
country on the whole American people, and, indeedi
on the age In which we live.
Neither ia the events which preceded the immediate
attack upon Fort Sumter, its inmates exhausted By
hunger nor in the conduct Of tne Defense in tie
brilliant and pc rssent OF the enemys fire. nor
al ta fol period OF Internal confagraiiJD, nor IN
tie final evacuation OF The fort, was there lne WIN.
ten word spoken, nor AN act performed or omitted,
which does not defy criticism. ludeed, IN those lew
hours was displayed by one the most extraor'ii-
nay combination OF consummate wisdom, courage,
ooolaess, and patriotism.
IL IL only in extraordinary emergencies that the
great qualities Of extraordinary men are developed
While ut times il may be thought that some giant m
elecls create the opportunities for the accom- shmens
Of brilliant exploits, yet in tie defense oil Sunter,
pregnant wi conseque too vast for ordinary vion
10 fathom, no power, save that of God alone, could
have created the occasion, and IN Ills wisdom ne
llaced there MAJOR Anderson, as II be was the on'y
nan who could have met this emergency without DE-
ing chargeabe with fault either OF omission or COM
ni-tiou IN the Ole, barge Of "a. duiies.
With these views, therefore, 1 shall be believed
when cay that with peculiar pleasure present tti'
med ! TO 70 distinguished man. IL ls in'ended as
smIls tribute OF our appres atiJn of his character
beg YOU to convey it 10 hin, and TO assure BIN that
my Language to-day IL that Of heriie ncertv truth
fully rejecting, not only my own feelings bat The sen
unierts OF those Represent.
NJ. Murray responded as follows:
Mr. MAYOR: The highest donors that can be paid
TO man under our form Of Gocepmeni, are those
which ernanate IRON the spontaneous verdict oil toe
people.
Rank may dazzle, ambition may find in the exer-
OF power transient gr'tlil'a'ioni but theie y
nothing that entirely ills the measure 81 li'hui
soldiers reward, for duty performed, as tie hearty
and grateful applsuse of lis felow-men. -
lt is with tiese senliments that i accept on behau
Of my absent friend Gen. kotert Ancerrop, ana az
hr request the medal which you have just presented
to hin ia such Hatlering terms IL Ia with these
sentiments, am sure, that be will receive it, and
read the reflex Of his character upon its face;
"Prsdess, Fidhsa Aadar,'
while he observes that the tribute is declared to be
"Iv.cte Fti,htat,s Pcanmm."
II eanot fail crafty him. Sir to hnd that the well
come which burt upon his eye and eal wien entering
tie bay Of New-lOrk, from hs brilliant defense Of
Fort Sumter In Apni lat, prolonged III thegrand oya-
ton that rked bis journey through the country has
eliminated 10 50 beautiful, eloquent aud tangible
form as this which YOU with these our NUM- ipal au
IN rites. and these citizens Of the metropolis have
cone here this day TO be TOW. .
Tie IA ,iect of your well chosen and delicate cornp
meuts will with unaffected modesy attribute them to
the parity of friendship, rather than 10 merit 81 ia
own. But Sir they, il this medal, the iess de-
ed by he brave man, tie Christian soldi Z, the
tried atIot became through biz i6nate cdence, he
q OF re lze e great OF bis own shieN Dts
which in the Judgment OF mankind already pronounced,
are WORTHY OF a lace that page Of history where
are 10 be iouGd tie brightest examples Of hdeiy en-
durHnce, and courBge.
will convey i. medal Mr. Mayor. toGen. Ander-
cor with faithful sketch Of your elrquent re arks,
aud In his naue return you aud thoe whom yon rep
recent bis profound and resf ectul Judgments
This concluded the ceremony OF presentation, and
the invited guests numbering from 20 TO loo, dis
neraed