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From the Richmond Compiler. I *Presentation of Swords. 1The ceremony of presenting nine swords, voted hv Virginia to os many of her sons, in honor of their patriotism and bravery in battle, wastru-L Ay impressive. Its solemnity was greatly cn-r \ hanced by the day and the multitude of free and enlightened citizens who assembled to behold it. The moral it conveyed was one which could not fail to strike deep into their hearts. Below we give the address of Governor Gilmer on the occasion, and the responses of the officers presentand the representatives of those that were absent A perusal of them will give some faint conception of the feelings which thrilled the breasts of those who beheld the ceremonv:Anniiess op Gov. Gilmkr.On presenting nine Swords at the Capitol of Virginia, on the 22nd February, 1841.Gentlemen : In the name of Virginia, our mother: who is proud to acknowledge you as her sons, I greet you with tnese proofs of her remembrance and gratitude, which you have honorably won, which she delights to bestow.— The history of this ancient Commonwealth, like an impcrishaole scroll, exhibits on every page a me bright memorial, to kindle the virtues of the patriot and arm the warrior’s spirit. The soldier’s sepulchre, from a thousand battle fields, proclaims how much of Virginia's blood has been shed where the banner of freedom waved. These illustrious survivors of many u well fought field are here to attest that a high und just sense of military meiit and reward has been cherished by the State which gave you birth, and by the c »un-try which you serve. This day with it hallowed as-ociations, reminds us of one (and he was a Virginian) whose name stands by the consent of all mankind, first on the record of human bene-factors. It is u5 ordinary distinction then, thus to he selected hv such a .State from the multitude* who have perilled their lives in defence of her free and venerated institutions.This is not one of those splendid hut vain pageants which flash along our j rogress through the shadowy path of life, to dazzle, to be admired and forgotton on the instant. It is a spectacle of moral grandeur. It in tho voice of a Commonwealth which hails you to-day. It is the voluntary exhibition of a people’s gratitude in peace, for those who have signalized themselves in war.The Olympic wreath, the triumphal arch, the “storied urn” and “animated bust,” may he, as they have been conferred by royal dotards, or by baby queens, but the gratitude of a republic beams in every eye and burns in every heart. These sworosare the gilt of your country. When they shall be drawn in defence of that country’s rights, by you and by your sons, each blade will tell, from generation to generation, tho simple hut touching story of republican heraldry : honor to whom honor indue—justice for all—fear and favors for none.Where government is free, every citizen is a soldier, every soldier is a citizen, and a nation c omes up to the ahock of war as man rises in defence of his life or his hearth stone, invoking even in death the benedictions of heaven on a ju6t cause. Hence it is that republics always have been, and always will be invinciblo, until prompted by ambition, revenge or conquest, they forget what is due to their own rights by invading the rights of others. Though you arc surrounded to-day by so many imposing evidences of the “ pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war,” it becomes us to remember that our bulwark is not in walls nor in ramps, but in a system of wise and just laws faithfully administered, so as to cause the humblest American citizen to feel as sensibly as the monarch on the throne, that he is identified with his country—that ho is a part of its government—diat he is hound by sacred obli gations to live or to dio in its service.Wc arrange below the diiTorent resolutions voting swords, numbered as they were offered, together with the replies of the respective officer-and substitutes. Governor Gilmer, in presenting each sword, stated the substance of eac i resolution, indicating the particular service which it wasdesigned to commemorate, with the addition of afew extempore remarks which cannot he sufficiently well remembered to communicate.
Newspaper Details
Augusta Tri Weekly Chronicle and Sentinel
Augusta, Georgia, US
Tue, Mar 09, 1841
Page 2
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GA, USA 10 Sep 2022
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