The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-03


experience which qualified him for the expedition.
lie wished TO put him in such position that he
could not be superseded in the command. IL would
be burning shame 10 permit him TO be superseded
alter bis late glorious victories There were several
officers Of the army who could take precedence of
him. He had understood that General Wool was
Of this NUMBER and that he might supersede Gener-
al Taylor IN command. He would like 10 see the
bill so modified as to add one major general TO the
army, and TO provide that General Taylor should be
the one appointed. He believed that il was unfor-
tunate for the country that at the ment of
the government we had started with the idea of an
pointing military officers for life, and il was ncon
slsent with the general character Of our institutions
IL was well known 10 every one that men long in
service lost all yigoT OF action and became physical
y incapacilaied for efficient service and could not be
nrusted with the maintenance Of the honor and
glory Of their country.
Il might be necessary (said Mr.. Med. } to add one
or two brigadieT generals He was, however of the
opinion that the would be soon at end. In
three months there would probably be a change Of
government IN Mexico, and propositions would
then be made by her TO receive a minister II so,
the war would be at an end. He would be willing
TO vote for one major general and for two, per-
hsps three, brigadsr generals, but no more. The
second section of the bill he did not exactly like for
II seemed TO strike at the officers under State
ihoritles. When two regiments were called out the
6ngadler Of the State had right 10 command, and
'htS oiH 10 put IN IL power OF fres-
dent TO lake from the States this constitutional right
Mr.. Med. read the second section, and expressed
the opinion that It's provisions were too general, and
| required modification. Why should this section
give the President the power TO appoint officers for
the brigades' He would not object to the section il
It was confined TO cases where the President drew
companies Of militia from several different States.
Mr.. BURT here explained that the section did
not interfere at all with the right Of the States to
game their militia. When one regiment was cali
| ed from one State, and the other regiment Of the
brigade from another State, either Of the States
would have the right TO appoint the brigadier gene
raj, and therefore the President was authorized TO
appoint brigadier general from the officers com
mlssoned by either OF the States. SO in other
When division was called out composed OF militia
from several States the President was authorized to
appoint the major general by selecting one Of the
| commissioned officers Of the States.
Mr. MCDOWELL replied, tina, If that was the
object Of the section, he hoped that some one Of the
Committee would offer an amendment to render it
more explicit in its terms Though he had high
opinion Of the honesty and integrity Of the Presi-
dent, yet he did not wish give him any discretion
airy power to interfere with State laws.
Mr.. HARRISON here explained that there was
no conflict between the provisions Of the bill and the
Stale laws. The President was the eommander-in.
chief Of the militia but the Sates had the right to
organize the militia The object Of the bill was
merely to give the President the power to appoint
an officer already in commission to command, when
the force was drawn perhaps from foH different
States.
Mr.. MCDOWELL (resuming) said that he should
be pleased If the bill could be modified as to rem
der It unobjectlonsble TO him. for he was anxious to
increase the efficiency Of the army. He regretted
| that the gentleman from Kentucky Mr. DAVIS had
INDUCED in such feelings he had done to-day.
In such moment this every arm should be In.
ed for the defence of the country and every tongue
should speak in such terms would give confidence
TO the efforts Of the country, He would not cast
| any censure on the President Of the United Suites
even IL he supposed that he had committed an err
ror He thought It bad taste and bad policy to en-
deavor to stir up those old party feelings which had
| so long agItated the country. We ought all Of US
TO agree upon the measures requisite for the protec
ton Of the common interest, and we ought all to
join in the commentator Of our gallant little army
He could find fault with the Presidents ma mage
ment Of the affair IL seemed to him that he had con
Quoted very prudently. He certainly did not know
| that any attack was TO be made by the MexicanS
| upon our army, and he had given General Tay lor
discretionary power TO call for such force as would
enable him to sustain his position. General Taylor
was constantly in communication with the depart
men and he never advised it that any attack would
| be made In fact he knew nothing of the attack
| until II was made. IL the gentleman's charge was
true against the President, il also applied with
greater force to General Taylor, for he was clothed
with powers to call out an adequate force for the
emergency. Why should the President have called
for volunteers, when he had left it the discretion
of General Taylor to call for them if they should
be wanted But General Taylor was sensible of his
own strength. He was sensible Of the efficiency
and bravery of his little force. Had the case been
differentiated General Taylor been in possession
| of superior force-hs laures would not now be
so fresh. The Mexicans had the advantage of DO
| stIon and numbers, and complete knowledge Of
the ground; and General Taylor had to meet them
without even breastwork for his protection from
| their artillery.
The assault which had been made upon the Pres
ldent was, he thought in bad taste. Ii was not ne
cessary for him to defend the President for the pa
trLotlsm of the country would unite in appreciation
| OF his acts.
Mr.. CARROLL hoped (he said) the exigencies of
the country, and the disposition he felt to provide
| for them, would induce him to make some remarks
| on this bill without preparation. He did not know
that he would vote for the bill as it stood But if
II should be so amended TO conhne the selection
of officers TO the line of the army he would support
| it. He complimented the skill and gallanry Of the
present officers of the army, and insisted that they
were fully adequate to services which would be re-
quired and that the only difficulty would be in ma
| king selection from so many officers of high
| merit. The opportunity now afforded to bestow
word Of approval these officers ought not to
be neglected He had cordially united in the vote
of thanks to the gallant Taylor, and all the officers
and soldiers under his command. They all went
into the conflicts of the 9Th and 9Th with determ
nation to conquer or die. These officers had been
denounced as unfit for command because they had
been educated at the military academy. But the
fact that 200 out of 262 Of those officers were
educated at West Point, and had borne testimony to
the science and discipline which were acquired in
that school. After this brilliant proof Of the utility
of that school, he trusted that it would be unver-
sally admitted that education was necessary for an
officer well as for any other profession. These
officers were perfectly able to officer the whole force
| now to be raised.
So far as the object was TO appoint General Tay-
lor major general, he would heartily unite in it.
But who was the other major general to be appoint
| ed? The honorable chairman had told us that Gen.
| eral Taylor, now a colonel in the line, would be
| one. Who was to be the otheri
| Mr.. HARRISON explained that he did not
| know upon whom either Of the appointments
were to be conferred. He had SAID that he hoped
| General Taylor would be one
Mr. CARROLL went on to argue, from what had
taken place, that the officers would be taken, not
from the army, but from politicians.
This House had provided that the officers Of the