Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-29


oiiices il own Army, ola lineai rank equal TO
the highest rank in the Militia, not to be over
looked, IN case OF sudden crisis sailing the State
ievics into the service OF the United Suites
lie would not insist, at any length, on the poll
cy oikeepnS up single anu supreme prize for the
aspiration of the military genius OF our country
prize which should offer the highest Incentives
TO heroic Devotion, scientific attainnents, and TO
4 that sentiment, which amidst +" the pomp and cir
cumStance of glorious war" even makes arnbi-
ton virtue" No, he would not dwell on these
reflections, because he was aware that the House
went rather for the Arithmetic than the Poetry of
| the question. He would, therefore, ask whether
for saving so paltry, they would endanger the
excellence OF an existing establishment, es-
peciaily, as We shall waste more time and money
than the proposed irugaiity may amount to, even
In discussing the measure: Above all, when the
other House had determined 20 retain what we
seemed willingly TO abolish.
Here the Speaker told Mr.. II. he was out of
crdcr.l
MIR. III. said, he knew he was just upon the line;
SO much so, that he had been fearful he was strag
Cling over. He would, however, put his sugges-
ton alphabetically, and ASK whether it was worth
| while 10 consume the time OF the House, when we
are about TO compress the business before with
in the limits we are willing to remain here, 10
gage IN tirjt.css discussion:
He, moreover, hoped, and he, indeed, believed,
that the House would not be influenced by any
personal feelings OF disappointment caprice; and
That, because the person who might be destined 10
lis members, that valuable office itself should be
stricken from our establishment.
lie coHcludcd by demanding that the question
be taken by yeas and Nays and they were order
ed by the House.
Mr. Clark, OF n. Y. alter observing that this
was not proper time in which TO call upon the
. House 10 express defniive opinion on the sub
ject inasmuch as il had already been considered
aud decided upon elsewhere, and there no pro-
liability, at this late period of the session, that
different he g. eSSpd
result in any practicable measure, demanded that
the resolu tons of Mr. Williams should be divided
and that the question should first be taken on dis
charging the Committee on Military Affairs from
the further consideration OF this subject.
1t was divided accordingly, and the question be-
ms put on the first member OF the resolution it
agreed to, and the Committee of Military Affairs
were thereby discharged from the farther conside-
ration Of the subject
The question then recurring on the second re-
solution, viz that it is inexpedent to continue the
Office OF Major General,
Mr. Barnard, OF New York, moved TO lay il up
on the table. The motion was negativcd; and tie
question being about to be put, ON adopting the
resolution,
MIR. Orr, of Pennsylvania, obtained the floor; but
the Chair announced to him that the hour allotted
for morning business had expired
On motion of Mr.. Dwight, however, the rule
with respect to morning business was suspended;
ayes %, noes 81; when
f Mr.. Orr resumed the floor, and spoke as follows
resolution
al lhs time, Is uI2t IL Is well known this House
that the other Branch has had similar proposition
, before them, which was negatyed. Ii is also as
wen known, that the concurrence of that body
must be had, before any thing, in effect, be
done Then, why press this subject, when they
positively refused TO act Oh il? 1t must appear OBJ
, vlous TO every member OF this House, that il is
useless, and an unnecessary consumption of time
II we pass the resolution, what DO we gain: No
Thing.
its now late in the session, great deal of i'm
gortant business remains yet TO be done, and
tiink we can spend time to better advantage
Than discussing subject evidently out of place;
and let il terminate what way il viii end in OBJ
thing into view at this late stage OF the session. and
particularly where nothing can be possibly gained
by IT. wii vote against the resolution.
Mr. Oakley opposed TIE resolution HI thought
the icuse was not prepared, present, to act
upon matter OF so much importance. Ills infor-
nation was very limited 10 the actual disposi
uoh o! our present military force, and no judgment
as TO the necessity Of this Office could be formed
, nom The mere number OF troops. Much depen nd
ed ON the manner in which they were organized,
and on the scattered situation of the different CORPS
Heswanted to have the details before he could
FORM an enlightened opinion, and had expected
!, them TO be reported by the Military Committee.
ny resolving on any conclusion, at this time, the
House would expose itself to the hazard of doing
, an Imprudent and unWise thing After what had
happened III another body, the adoption of the re-
'V'uuO" "Ouiu only DC lutie, and tend rather 10
eInOarFaSS than 10 advance the service. He
thought hc-shOuld be against the measure of abo-
isilihg the Office III any event. Ii left the army
without head. The Secretary Of War was not
capable OF being the military head of the Aunv-
such was not the nature Of his Office Though the
Army was now on peace establishment, vet lis
organization looked 10 state of war. II had not,
10 DC sure, at present. many officers as would be
required for establishment, but il ought 60
have practical, efficient military head; a soldier,
capable, from his talents and experience Of acting
as c0mInander-in-c chief, in Of actual service
without such an officer, you must, in case of
war, either elevate a brigadicr general to the
chief command, or take commander a man not
at all connected with the Army-neither of which
courses would be either easy or prudent MIR o.
concluded with moving that the resolution be in
definitely postponed.
MT. kremer advocated the resolution II was.
10 him, perfectly clear that the resolution ought to
prevail. How long was it since the House had
been called upon 10 relieve the family of one who
hdd hiled this Office! and what arguments had
been advanced that occasion! Had not the
House been told that 600 dollars was an incoru-
petent salary and though be nad long received
mat salary, were not his family left without provi-
/ SION: Now, what were the duties which such an
officer had performed, or could perform, n was
certainly very little that the late Major General
! had been able 10 do. The time had now arrived
Ior TIE Rouse to 60 into system Of retrenchmeut
Lei us, SAID Mr.. Is. set example 10 the country
Let US shoA the People that we arc in earnest Is
ioi the President of the United States by the
| Constitution, the Commander in Chief OF the
! Army; The People look 10 him TO command their
Armies, and II - full time that we should have
! PRESIDENT who can command our Armies il is time
/ of the House tUinqure whether the Presidcn, OF
tie United States j. capable Of performing his con
/ 5ltulOndl duty. There can be no need tOt US To-