Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-06

a
general aspoyded for by the first section to command them
This would be Juggling the States out of their right TO officer
their militia for the grades Of bngader and major
general.
But the fifth section pushes this infringement upon this
power and right of the States still further provides
Tha when volunteers militia called into the
vice of the United States such numbers that the officers
the quartermaster commssary and medical departments
authorized by law be not sufficient provide for supplying
quarteng transporting, and furnishing them with the requi-
medical attendance shall be lawful for the President
appoint with the advice and consent OF the Senate
additional officers OF said departments the service
guire not exceeding quaermaster and commssy
for each Brigade with the rank of major and assistant
quatermaster with the rank of captain commits
with The rank Of captain, surgeon and assistant
geon, for each regiment"
Here classes of officers each class necessarily to be
numerous, Of them of brigade and of regimen
tai character not only appeanng but ndspensaby
to the organization Of this militia force which Congress has
authorized and which the President has required from the
vera States The Constitution expressly provides that the
appointment Of these officers of all militia officers,
ed to the States and this bill cooy proposes TO take this
power from the States and vest il in the President and the
Senate know how vain task It is to appeal to the Con-
stuon to stay this Democratic party IN any OF It's purposes
When the Constitution favors their ends they clamorousy in
woke it when it stands in their way they contemn and tram
pie it under foot But this power to officer their militia
when President of the United States calls them into service
is of the rights of the States II secures TO each State
control over its troops and protects them against what
Would be the alconquerng military power OF the President
when large bodies Of the militia called into the service of
and existing but by his suance Yeta moey of this great
security, Democrats State rights men, strict constructons Of
the Constitution for adding to the overgown powers
of our President king the other half doubt they will be
ready surrender when the of the recently clutch
ed warmaking power, he brings conflict with England
for Oregon.
Mr. Chairman opposed also to the first section of this
BILL which authorizes the President appoint by and with
the advice and of the Senate two major generals and
four bgader generals in addition the present military
Enlistment" The object of the appointment of four brga
der generals by the President obvious enough is in
his patronage and to cheat the State authorities
their appointment Beyond the evepresen motive of
OF patronage and spos the party for the
major generals obscure do not believe that there
any necessity for such increase of the high officers of the
army, and particularly of permanent increase this is in
IFS terms We know that proposition to limit it TO the
nuance of the present in Mexico failed and do not be-
eve it to be necessary during the continuance of this
war; Wt all know the condition of Mexico. After the
cent signal defeats OF her army when the odds much
its favor is almost certain that she will again take the
field with large body of and pitched battles
Our army has taken post the banks of the Rio
Grande and doubtless before this have taken possession Of
Matamoras and driven the Mexicans into the interior
They divided into antagonist factions headed by military
leaders, and have no Permancncy rpose They have
revenue resources system of government security of
person property great industrial interest and
state OF social Reorganization would excite surprise
person to learn tomorrow OF the overthrow of the Government
of Paredes and with that event this would terminate
Before 1t there might be kirmshing and partisan opera
close by the victories of Gen. Taylor The idea of cons
tutng two major generals and four bgaders for this
ridiculous This is the probability Of existing things if it be
different i Is against reason and events far in
formed There is not the least apparent necessity for
this measure and Congress will be in session some six
eight weeks yet and long before its adjournment will know
certainly the which the Mexican will take why
upon conjecture of it. when delay can produce no
possible mischief We may learn in the time, do
not doubt will that there seeming necessity
for these six additional generals their aids &c. certainly
we authorize them, will know that is easier to
make than to unmake generals.
Mr. Chairman, at the close Of the last had sixty
five thousand troops and but twenty five generals and our
armies were then employed many and distant frontiers
from Nova Scotia to New Orleans. Now, when the present
establishment is filled up there will be, exclusive of the
militia, which the States have the right officer but about
fifteen thousand We have twelve generals and great
redundance of officers of lower grade Our reduced peace
establishment was founded upon the principle of having full
oicered, and about half supply Of prvaes that when
become to increase the army this might be done
by filling up the rank and file without any addition of officers
The principle is wise and right An enlargement of the army
has been made upon it, and all that H necessary now is to lei
it alone and it will work well
But Mr.. Chairman, il looks if this measure had two
other objects the to dispose Of present commander
in-chef by pecludng him from taking charge of this war;
and arranging him out of command and Of office at f
ture hme when the army reduced the other superedc
zen Taylor and tear from his brow of that rich chap
let OF aures with which he has lately wreathed it. One adj
donal maorgeneras office would have sufced for the first
been naked and papabe therefore, two more
ais must be provided for None other give to the
command OF armies the requisite degree Of courage
talent science and experience But said that it is
sary to have Of the United States on that
frontier, to prevent the militia generals Of the States from
Stunning the command II this be the reason, why then
not send off General Scott to take charge of this His
rank, his military talents and experience and the high conf
dance In which the country holds him. ene him to that po
son, and he Is understood to have demanded il of the Ex
ecutive If they general under their control and au
hony to conduct this war; he is both high enough rank
and able enough in ability and experience for them But his
fame is already too oveshadowng and he thought to cher
sh an ambition in conflict with Mr. Folks and il will not do
to afford him opportunities still further increase it, Then
why not let Tayor-od rough and ready himself manage
the Mexican war The genealn-chief has aures enough
Tor one man. The brave always Just and magnannous
and doubt not that his lofty spirit would feel the pleasure Of
soldier, who without fear and without shame TO see
tins war conidcd TO his subordinate, General Taylor.
But here arises the objection that he, being but colonel
would he superseded by militia generals This but pre-
text lie has been for years bgadier general by be
vet and has within few days been breveted major general
Many Of the highest officers of the army maintain that the
breve rank gives officer corresponding rank and com
mand u does the pay, and why not the authority Of that
grade by ordinary commission / military man, but
have understood that this principle has often been recognised
IN the American army, and prevailed throughout the Florida
war; have understood that Colonel Twggs was the senior
colonel over General WORTH but the latter being bripader
general by breyet commanded the former the Seminole
war The change Of this rule by President Polk understood
to have been the why General Worth recently
his resignation Now, Mr.. Polk has only to re establish
principle polite and just in ITSELF and which he found in prac
nca operation when he into Office and puts end TO
the notion that Taylor could be superseded in command by
a brgadier general of State militia