New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-02
Presentation Of Sword 90 Gen. Hooker
at the Usion League Club.

III u OtautiIu NeIu olHcers sword, made out OF
solid California gold, bearing the motto, Uuion For
ever and is elegantly set with diamonds. 1t bears
the inscription on the shield "Maior.Cen Joseph
Hooker. from his fellow citizens of San Francisco,
Cal. Dec %. 1861 On the reverse side are the fol-
lowng'named battle fields: Williamsburg, Fair Oaks.
Malvern Hill. Germantown. South Mountain, Bull
Run. Antietam.
Mr.. BLUNT nominated the Hon. George Bancroft
Chairman Of the meeting.
Mr.; BANCROFT after making short Introductory
speech introduced TO the assembly Senator CONFESS Of
Cal, who presented the sword to Gen. Hooker after
making the following address:
ADDRESS OF Mr.. CONNEss.
GEN HOOKER: IL is great honor to have been Sc
lccted as The medium through whom your friends and
admirers in California determined to present you with
inns beautiful and valuable sword. They also, who are
the donors, allow TO say feel honOred in the faae OF
the ehieftan-their fellow citisen--to whom the pre-
sentaiion is made.
When. at the commencement Of the late war, the
national honor and integrity were assaed by domestic
treason for the pnrp0se Of brutazng history and the
national pulse beat high from bosom was the proud
response Of tie Ntuous citizen more generally gwen
than from your manly breast Your sword. and
your good right arm. were promptly IN the defense
and assertion Of the rights OF man and OF ad-
vanced civilization; and without designing TO reject
upon any of the brave men who have directed our
armies and borne the national banner aOft on so many
glorious fields justified in saying that in your
hands the starry ensign has had new and incompara-
bic lpster shed upon its history. The indisputabe
record has been made. and though your services
should end here and now. that record viii place Your
name. through all coming tne nlEn ahOnE Tue great
est heroes Of the Republic Williamsburg Far
Oaks, Seven Pines. Glendale, and the great pat
ties of Malvern Hill. as well as Bristow Sta.
and Charlottesville. AT once attest your bravery
breadth and power; and while ChaDoeilorsvie was
not the great victory that 1t woud have beeD had your
orders and plans been promptly executed the subse-
quent mastery maneuvers by you of the hosts which
you then commanded gave the nation the great vic
tory at Gettysburg which drove the invader back dis
comftted at the most trying aud perilous crisis
Of orr fearful struggle. Transferred 10 another
field which became the center Of greatest in
terest you achieved tha victories of Vau
hatche and Lookout Mountain At the latter what
was intended reconnaissance. became. under the
inspiration OF your genius. the most splendid achieve
ment the annals Of ancient or modern warfare can
furnish Ascending the nearly perpendicular sides OF
the noun tain with your heroic army. cut off. for the
time, from possible succor and observation from your
base you seized the astounded panicstreken foe and
hurled him Satan hurled into the neither world.
Mission Ridge Pea Vine Creek. Rnggod, Res
aca, G0gotha Church, Keith Farm and Pe,ehtree
Creek In grand succession proved the nrfncibiy of
The Southern hosts were shattered, aud thus
the way opened up for tie great march OF Sherman
through the bowels OF the ContederaCy.
GEN. HOOKER: While these great deeds were being
done, California, who claims YOU as Der own. wes an
intent and charmed observer. She, upon whose beau
tul neck the slave-chan was sought 10 be hung and
upon whose virgin breast the beTtine OF the slave
mart sported for while, early understood what was
involved in the contest and she his neither forgotten
the private soldier in the field nor the chief whose
great spirit inspired the public heart until II glowed
with feryOr in the national cause Republican insti
tutlOns to the test Dy the great war OF
the Rebellion Armies have been led against zach
other which have correspondence in history. But
the organized force Of tho Rebellion and the reacbeTv
OF monarchists abroad have failed 10 shake govern
merit based upon the free val. OF intelligent people.
AS il TO put 10 eve.y Kind OF es and trial. the
hand OF the assassin was employed ana the honored
head Of the milton fell Every heart beat sadly aud
every head bowed down; but another appointed by
law took the oath Of Office the nation remained intact
and all was order and peace The foul and perhioSa'
act but strengthened the viii Of the people and Re
publican institutions lad additional claim to the ad.
miration of mankind. The Emperor Of France who. |
made his way BY treachcry and perjury 10 power has
lntely promulgated a theory for the government Of
the world IN his life Of Julius Caesar; and pending
our great struggle with slavery true TO his instincts
Rel Republic Of MeIco It Is an unfortunate eirenua.
stance for HIS theory aud experiment that feocih"n
lives May not ask him now. IN behalf OF
order, that be viii invite the foolish victim
swords Of Republic shall be employed 20 deal his endi
California who has special interest IN 'hi-. by fcw
of her generous sons presents you this sworu, nnu
this their gift to youf faithful hand.
Gen. Hooker was then introduced amid loud applause.
His reply was As follows;
GES. LOCKERS REILLY.
The elegant weapon then placed in the hands OF
Gen Hooker. who responded as follows
SENATOR AND GENTLEMEN; receive this eIguislteiy'
wrought and munifcently ornamental sword. with
proud and profound Of the honor coniers and
Of the personal regard Of the friends for whom you
sr in rs uresentation speak. The occasion awakens
early and cherished recollections. 1t recalls the
struggles aud the sacrifices demanded OF us as pl-
oneers in the great dsy Of usnspanting republican
institutions 10 a colony then distant and isolated, but
now a fall. grown and enlightened State. adding a
bright star and virgin stripe TO the nag OF our Union
Sueb are the rewards Of the ndomiiabe VIII and IN.
diDching fidelity OF ireemen. who recognize IN your
~ an eloquent and patriotic leader, and In
our distinguished aud mutual friend Broderiek'
Slayery's first victim and freedoms noblest martyr
California, for ObyOus reasons might have been
excused for doing little in this war than 10 De
fend herself but her were hot content 10 pay
part so inglOrOus they chose 10 participate III 'he
ieris Of the fight and TO divide the donors OF victory
with their brethren in the East For your KIND refer
euce to and fsttering estimate OF the military service
have rendered, please accept my gra'siu' ,hahhs.
have endeavored to do whole duty. Tor which buch
comm ndations from those who know mo best. is a
| soldiers highest reward. Happily, a Rebellion more
arocious in design and more formidable IN proper
tons than the world ever saw. preciptating a
war which has engulfcd more treasure and
sent more men to thei CORY beds than ms
tirv ancient modern records-has terinl'
mated in the conquest Of its armies the dishonor
of its authors and the subugation OF tie re'oing
States But most happily, III our TRIUMPH over Rebel
lion the Of universal humanity and freedom mas
| been vindcated. war waged for slavery, has
resulted in the obstruction Of Slavery; and when
we reflect that in this way only THIS great national
wrong could have been removed. shall We say that
our sacrifices transcend our compensntonf Is not
our Government and Union, with slavery e1tn.
guishcd worth all 1t has cost 20 preserve men,
For the honor VI "a humanity. II Is 10 be re-
GREETED that the Rebellion, In ITS collapse reveals 30
many rev 0ting elements and aspects. It's sanglnary
battle fields were suihclenuy uesi' uet'o w i'io W
appeased honorable enemies. IL 49, however fehcl 70
know and feel that the usages OF Christian warfare
were a. far as practicable, regarded by the Federal
f;oyernnent and its sfny and navy. The glory OF our
triumph Is not furnished by arson piracy or assassha
toDs nor will posicriiy blush IN consulting tie pages
which transmit the history of the great event Of the
world 10 future ages. 81,
The resources Of our country, the strength OF our
| government and the glllanlry OF our armies ana
navy az developed in the conflict now closing Is likey
10 exempt Us from foreign We must take care
bowcver that continent evidently designed 10 Nlnd
cate the wisdom of Republican institutions ID not en-
AID 10 gentlemen OF this Truly