The New York herald., 1864-05-26
heso"sa'on to Commander Meade,
United States Navy.
TRIBUTE TO DESERVING AND FAITHFUL oPPrceR

l CHteu states Navy.
| r6ibuTE TO DESERVING AND FAITHFUL oPPIcER
Commander Richard W. Meade United states Navy
was presented last evening at the Athonnum Club with
PAIR OF elegant gold and silver mounted navy revovers
as token OF his services while in command OF the United
States snip North Carolina For beautiful workmanship
tnsse pistols stand unequaed The gifs enclosed in
arosewood case, on which was embazoued the mouo.
gram OF the recipient
Inc pistols each boro tho following inscription ''Pre-
ssnted TO Commander r. W. Meade, U. s. NJ by his
friends. through tho Metropolitan Fair In aid OF tho o. s.
Sanitary Commission. New York. April %, 1864" I'm.
derneath which was the motto OF the Commander, II
dare and trust.n
Tho company present was large and distinguished We
noticed among them the gallant Commodore II. H. Bel
OF New Orleans momcry.
On presenting the pistols to Commander Meade, Mr. W.
G. Noyes said--
GKNTLEMES-This occasion may not nappropriateIy bo
made to convey moral lesson. Unhappy for our coun
try, its constitution neither authorizes nor toerates
abroad save IN tue shape OF Office necuuiary compen
sation the former not always resrectabe and the latter
always inadequate, 70 trne worth and distinguished
service; hence, Official situations eagerly sought by
the incompetent or the corrupt to the rapid demoraiz
ton OF our people and the injury OF tho State In our
early annals this fundamental error comparatively
unmportant bnt In our maturer national e when love
OF shcw and spcndOr had usnrped the place unosten
tatious dignity the evil significant and demands
correction by return to that mingled simplicity and
IN private IN pubic lo which adorned
Revolutionary history appropriate public recog
milton OF lustrioas merit An anceat democracy alike
renowned for i,s courage and it's tase, horored those
who, after the anarchy, brought back the people from
Pby9 with garlands made only Of twigs-more highly
valued than the golden ones Of former period In its
later times OF decadence rewards lavished without
discrimination proving alike the cieminncy and
ton OF the people ard prophetic OF an neyitabe down
fall We may yet avoid similar evils. One mcgns OF
doing is stay the decline OF the OF MORALS
and TO return to that purity Of feeling, that sell poised
personal respect and dignity which, spurn wealth
Inc Dr Of uO2ttiO ndo
Its rewards in the exercise itself OF the higher virtues
however humble tho sphere OF Their operations.
External parade and show render the disposition
vain and servle They Indicate loss OF aud
in many, too many, instances, cor .empt for in
trinsic worth, nresage decay OF public morality
and disregard OF principles essential to the exist
ence Of republic The fiery trial through which
now passing vii aid iu casting OF the dross Of those
offences. Beuevoience and mercy, in thor kndest and
hottest attributes and cIlciences, united in doing
justice 70 pubic ocneiactors and ~ the testament OF
meritorous rewards TO the useful and the brave Some
organization which binds the wounds OF the MANNED
soldier who gives his life blood for his country and minis
ers 70 his every want Ind its healing agencies enlarged
by the gifts c those who looking beyond the allie
Walton OF human suffer and the duty OF sustaining and
encouraging those who peril life for their country, seek
elevate the standard or official pre- emnence, ana stm
ulae to higher aud nober activity, by wise bestow
al Of honorary tokens Of public esteem Tue sword pre-
sented by charity and duty for a high destiny,
was won through the sulragcs OF grateful
people, only by him who never failed to win with the
sword Other tokens OF gratitude less noteworthy,
have happily found apprcprite recipients by means u
the same provdent minsracn One Of these remails
& y Y as and epss Of aa ns sro
poltan Fair in aid OF the Sanitary C9mm!sson, ! haye
great pleasure in presenting to you, Commander Meade
si 80 Or I psyc now beos ou Tse donors % rccosnze ID
you one Of the most faithful true aid patriotic Of those
who honor the roll Of the navy and Illustrate It's anras.
Denied tho long sought opportunity OF engaging tho
more prominent and elarlng duties OF naval lie, you
have, in humber but not less useful sphere,
worthy Of all imitation IN this the hour OF peril For
almost the entire period OF the war you have given your
SELF the great board the good old ship North
Carolina alike the witness and the theatre OF your efforts
aud vigls Hosts OF sturdy blue jacketsdrilled and
owar by your agency Profusion and waste found
place In your administration What many would have
ppsdeny and BY means Of the tides Of The
have ber forced back, and given place 10 solid
landto the wharf, tbs park, the hospital More mem9r
able this conquest than OF nero icrce for IL is that
OF intelligence and civilization; and has converted
the scone where only cruelty and outrage upon
our Revolutionary fathers was witnessed, into
place OF fertility aud beauty. Happy In your own
life and In its marked utility. you have long occupied
high place IN the and service OF tho country
You are not the less happy in those who you
with the present active age and with po.terty Your
triumph towards Richmond. Unfortunate is the lot Of
him who las son to perpetuate his name to reverence
his memory or excel him public usefulness deeds
OF vaor Yours. the contrary, most envabe three
OF your sons who bear your renowned motto dare and
trust are now engagsd IN our naval and military scr
the last year led The boss troops OF the United states
has rscenilv ought hi yessc ssans. rcbe ram ~ Xbe
me Sound, 10 tho discontinue and OF bis foe VIM
ming the admiration OF the country and the other led bis
and, being unsupported, was captured. and now
anguishes in dreary Southern prison. These, and such
these some OF your titles TO hgh public consdera
tioD and to the we'll earned distinction OF this proper
benefacton should become your duty to use these
OF native land those who seek to destroy
It's integrity and doubt not that in every post II duty
your brave sous will ever remember that they boast
lineage and bear . namo which Gettysburg has made
impershsble
After round OF applause Commander MADE replied
GESTiSHxs. MT FRIENDS Cny or NEw YoRK--I
evidence OF friendship and esteem II al all times
pleasant TO have the appreciation Of friends and this
vantages VIII he feels no entitled to- which he
should be permitted to enjoy may say without aeca
capacity have done but my duty and no man entitled
praise for the mere performance OF duty Though he
who is derect in this performance deserving Of repre-
hension IL follows that he who Is fathful s entitled
TO praise When entered the service Of my country
assumed certain responsibilities recorded solemn
TO be true and faithful TO those responsibilities and
educated In my profession by all the States OF
the union became pledged to ever stand by the regu
lary elected choice of the people, have earnestly
deavored 10 make this the rule OF my conduct; and
although the government has not thought proper 90
nit me TO have those OF active sea service
which have been accorded 70 others and has thought
proper TO mako sphere, tor the lass three years,
Of borious and srduous connnemont, out of the field
Of personal glory, stll I had . duty assigned me
ute, and should have been unworthy Of the SER
vice to which belong had neglected TO discharge 20 the
utmost Of ability tho work that has been accomplish
cd aud which IL was my pleasure TO perform. In this
hour OF peril 10 beloved counry-at time when she
requires the energy and zealous love Of oil her sons
have and uneasy board the North Carroll.
ma yet ever, with all my heart and with ell proper
prce strictly and stead obcdens to orders Tho more
active duty of my pre,essien ss sea more 10 my
IA 10 and suited TO my palure and incina aLi.
ter years OF service a0 opg OF disappointment
share with my brother oiccrs-most OF them my jun
iors-thc perils u actual warfare but my dream
not realized, and called TO perform q more
peaceful duty. 10 Is true that the duties OF comman
der of receiving ship, during period OF rebellion, as
now, they arduous in the extreme
II service Of day sud night and most bsrassng and
exacng The responsibilities are great and they all
devove the commander. Ho Is callod to educate
aud drill In bis charge to 60 forth nnd participate
active scenes OF and sustain the honor OF
the service lie 10 called on 70 prepare the raw
to speak, that lfo and shape which 80
vitality essential In The hour Of battle and danger II has