The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-30
Here Mr.. TrBBArrs' hour expired.

zens.
Here Mr.. TBBATTs' hour expired.
BY an unavoidable accident the following re-
marks of Mr.. Jefferson Davis, in reply to Mr.. Saw
yer, were omitted in the report Of Thursdays pro-
ceedings:
REMARKS OF MR.. JET. DAVIS,
OF MISSISSIPPI,
In the House Of Representatives, May %, lS46-ln
reply to Mr. SAWYER
Mr.. JEFFERSON DAVIS rose and said:
Ma. CHAIRMAN The gentleman from Ohio says,
an education such as may be acquired at West
Point qualities for the duties Of representative in
this hall. IL so, that institution surely, sir, should
be continued. II should be extended and the
country blessed in all its districts with men suited
to the important duties which devolve upon this
House. II, sir the gentleman designed the remark
for me, have to say to him, the hypothesis and the
conclusion are his own, not mine. | do not claim
to possess all the qualifications necessary for a
representative; but know there are very many in
which am deficient. But will say for that gen
eman, that do not believe the legislator nascihr
non ff; and therefore hold that any education of
whatever kind, however imperfect is still better
than none at all. cannot understand the reasoning
which has led him TO boast Of his blacksmith
quirements fitting him for the duties of a egsla-
tor, though l should have been content ifhe had
forborne from illusions to mysclf-to have left I'M
touched the cloak Of self-suficiency in which he
wraps himself. But the gentleman assumes, and
attributes to me the assertion, that blacksmith is,
because of his trade, unfit for soldier. Now,
turo that no other person understood me TO have said
Ii the gentleman chooses 10 draw forced and most
adjustable differences, cunnot permit him to at
tribute them me; if he stulihes himself must OBJ
jet to his attempting, at my expense to spread the
contagion among others who did not hear me. Who
but himself could ever have supposed tie army
filled by graduates from the military academy. Yet
this he would ascribe TO me, a supposition op
posed to fact, it for his brighter imagination to
create. With like propriety, he cites instances Of
mechanics who became distinguished soldiers, and
offers this answer 10 me. never denied the rad
ical qualities, never supposed there was any inabl
ity in any portion Of my countrymen to become SOL
diers. claimed, as still claim, that was a
science Of which no man was born possessed, and
that the knowledge Of it was to be acquired any
other profession pursuit. To construct fort, to
attack fort by regular approaches, military pyro-
tectng, military eyolutions, military strategy, can
neither be learned on the anvil in the law book,
no more than the trade Of the smith or the profess
sion of the lawyer could be acquired by the camp
duties of the soldier.
The will to do, the soul to dare, the patriot
ism which will bear every sacrifice for
country belongs to the American people; is
bounded by class geographical Sec
ton; and glory in the confidence that
it is so; | hold in equal respect all which equally
contributes to sustain and dignity national char
acter and, in the few remarks made, no particular
class was selected as the object of my praise. But
because pointed out the fact, that military science
had enabled few troops to hold their posts at
Point Isabel, and on the Rio Grande, because | re-
ferred to what skill in the preparation OF ammunl-
ton and in the Of field artillery had done in the
battles of the 9Th and 9th, the gentleman called for
an instance Of distinguished officer, educated at the
military academy; then declined to receive
answer. | will give it to him now: McComb,
McCree, the gifted engineer Of the sorte at Fort
Erie; Wood, who fell on the field, and over whose
remains a monument has been raised to
rate his gallantry. Every Indian campaign has
added to The list though the conspicuous positions
were occupied by officers whose rank, from long
service, gave them the right to command. The gen.
tleman has made one statement which cannot be
gainsayed, that Generals Washington aud Jackson
were not educated West Point; but he forgot add
to his sta cement that Gen Washington recommended
the establishment Of the school, and General Jack
son always treated with contempt the idea that it
was useless to teach the science of war. 1t was not
for tn cir minds to entertain the opinion ignorance
gave military power though richly endowed by
nature as to overcome the wants of elementary
training, none have manifested more high apprc-
citation Of its use. ! am asked if Captain May was
educated soldier? he not an eev6 OF the mill
tary academy, but have been informed had re-
ceived liberal education before he was commIs-
stoned and has had some ten years service 10 teach
him his profession, and would, presume, be little
thankful 10 any one who should cite him as an in
stance of the advantage of ignorance, who should
reflections on the misfounes Of his brother soldier,
Captain Thornton. Sir, | feel much qualification
at his brilliant charge any can: mine is not the
hand that would rufe feather of the plume he has
so nobly won, and which hope may wave as
haughtiIy on other fields as this. II was display
Of that impetuous daring essential for the cavalry
soldier, and soon hope TO sec him promoted in
that service to higher grade.
If the gentleman supposed would wish to de-
tract anything from this feat Of galantry, he was
most egregously mistaken. II is not necessary for
the friends Of military academy to disparage all
who have been educated elsewhere; and well may
they leave the value of that institution to be meas
ured by the services of those who have emanaed
from il, whose merit stands on foundation too
broad and permanent to require such support But
why did he cite the capture Of Capt Thornton, and
point him out TO injurious enimadversion' Had no
examined the circumstances Of the case he hardly
would have done so or had he known that Capt.
Thornton was not educated at West Point, om
still more sure he would not have made these refec
tons But he asks for instances, Look at the Off
GERS killed and wounded in our recent battles: there
are few names to be erased to render it list Of
West Point graduates. Who received the first FIRE
of he enemy Who trained and led the light artillery,
40 effective on that occnsionl The sudden concep-
ton and prompt execution which marks the great