Daily national Republican., 1863-02-25
HoUsE oFlREpRFgFNTATTyFs.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.

Sword Pfssentation 10 Gen1 Sigel,
speeches, 40. .t1
The German citizens Of Cincinnati, to-day, pre-
sented Major General sigci with magnificent
sword, costing some $1,000, athis rooms, corner Of
Eighth and streets. The following IL a desorip-
tion Of this costly blade: ...i, o.
The hilt Of the sword is formed BY an allsgorical
group, representing the combat Of knight with
dragon. The monster has coiled the fore part Of
HIS ScAly trunk around the base Of an oak tree,
looking with his flashing diamond eyes and turn
ing Its hideous jaws heroely toward tho knight,
VINO leans against the tree, supporting the bent
knee against one Of the monsters coils, while the
other foot reitn upon the DRAGONS bAck the knight
about to innict the finishing blow with his lance,
for he has already wounded the monster fatally.
We see the bhttleAx, whose shaft has been shiver.
ed by the blow, In the bristly neck Of the dragon,
and the sword buried deeply in his body ian allu-
sion to Carthage and Pea RidgeD .. tv
The monster IL attempting 70 extract the sword
with one OF his claws while the other clutches the
knights shield, which exhibits our national coat
Of arms. The tail Of the dragon 10 ooiled afound
branch Of the oak tree, and, drawing II down with
its foliage fofms the Of the ht; while the right
wing, together With the claws holding the ahield,
forms its guard Below this, on the beautifully
polished scAbbArd, we sea the ethereal form OF the
pet, her right pointing upward toward the knight.
This figure Is snow white, and the contrast with
the dark, lustrous silver IL elegant.
The position of this figure, At the same time, In
terprets the words which Adorn the sword. The
Goddess hoats above garland Of laurel and oak,
enclosing an enameled blue medallion, on which
the initials Of Gen. siEsl F ST. are to be seen In
spiendid diamonds. Underneath are the words
(engrayed by Mr. Charles Koralien, in gothic let
tersJ freedoms Defender" Further below arg
two enameled blue medalllons, oval, surrounded
by lAurels with the words " Carthagen ana Pea
RIDGE The soabbard terminates in the form Of
an alligator half covered with reeds and aquatic
leaves-the Southern alligator seeking refuge in
its native swamps. Both sGabbArd and hilt, in
cluding the Bteelgray figure Of the knight, are Of
massive silver The blade Is Of the best solingen
make. -. ~ ~ yur .s.. 10.
speech He was responded to in the following
eloquent 10.
SPEECH rRoM GES. siOEL-
thank you, sir. The kind tone OF tho senti-
ments expressed by you on behalf OF my fellow
couhtrymen, is worth more to me than almost any
thing could receive from this Republic, The good
opinion and sympathy ofbrave men, and good eiti-
zenS, have always regarded asths UeatestrewArd
one could receive. awE n ..2s.-.
Our times are filled with such sfcat events, re-
quire such an enormous force Of men, such power
OF mind-suoh moral power-sueh strong hearts,
that Il seems weakness for one man, at such eri-
BILE services. I regard myself only a. weak In
strument in the hands OF the people
do not feel that am strong enough even to
fuIl your wishes or the wishes Of OF the people, a.
regards what you have right 10 expect from me
holding the position do. The ehAraotsF Of the
times arc not made by despots, by princes, kings,
or emperors, In themselves, though they may, Tor
time, shape Its destiny but they aremads BY the
disposition, hAbIts, and character Of the people.
L.. a,.rAFa ~ aanahla ~
achievements, but only as an humble reprebonts-
tive and agent Of those who are at the holm, ar
ranging and directing the AfsirS OF this great
tion In this important crisis. A republican since
my twontieth ysAr, I have always kept sacred this
idea OF liberty. h'
think that in such times as thsse eyety man
should be very forbeArlng and fOrgivinG. No man
should be discouraged or onsnded on account Of
the conduct Of those who may Be Aetuated hyper
sonAl JeAlousies and animouities. ,t....,
Ihave always believed that mans merit In
creaSes with his selEreliAnoe do not regard this
the time to bring our personal gu hrrels bsforS
the public, which must only have the effect 10 de
Stroy the confidence which the people should have
in their military leaders, This is tbs reason why,
against the wishes Of my best friends, have been
silent when sometimes thought had great cause
of grievances and complaint.
In the second place, gentlemen, history will be
Just. [" That's so"l It will not Ash 'tHow often
have you been offended by this or that person I'
but It win ask, "WhAt have you aeoomplishedi"
Have you been faithful to your cause and TO your
countFyTn Aknowledge ofBthis fact sustAins me
in these troubles and keeps me from raising COM
planning voice. do not know whether shall be
able to carry this sword for any length OF time In
this war.
II am not, 1t will only be because death has
closed my earthly career, or think can be more
useful In the midst Of the peoplei that can be
more service as a citizen or private soldier than
can as general or commander Of q corps. This
think necessary TO declare,
/ You speak OF future times. You say that II this
war is over that perhaps opportunity may bo
afforded us to StAndfor another country Although
from some cause that may be, yet hope that we
will be able to finish the work which we have be-
gun in our own father-lAnd. tApplause.l
It was the dream Of my youth, 1t Is the wish and
the will Of the man; but II Is also my belief that
this Republic fAlls that II this powerful people
cannot Yindicate our oHuSej II they cannot re-es-
tAblsh this Union on more liberal pfineiplesi
they cannot punish traitors, and introduce BY laws
or by the bayonet the principles Of liberty and hui
manitY in the South, we will mover be able 70 con-
tend, with success, in Europe. tsensAtionl
There are certain nations destined to go In tho
advance In certain centuries, and 80 IT, Is my nrm
belief that this American Repubnc is destined 70
be the advance and to give forth the laws OF lib
} eTty to the world. .b,..
Let US try, gentlemen, oget rid Of our enemies
here and then II will not be very difnoult to get
rid Of them beyond the ocean tGreat Applapse.l
The sword will be on exhibition at the fair at
Odd Fellows Hall this evening.
CAHrERBURY-There is now performing at tho
, Canterbury a man whose acts are altogether In