The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-31

Mr.. HoLMrs Does not the Secretary Of Wa
recommend, not that the army shall be increased
but specifically an increase OF the rank and hle o.
the present establishment
Mr.. HARALsos. Such a recommendation is
made, but by reference TO another part Of the
report, the gentleman will find that the Secretary
makes use Of the following language;
rI only in the Of probability that force eonsideI
soon required that should prefer the mode Of increasing
the army BY raising new regiments Organized on our pres
There is, however, Continued Mr.. H. a contin.
gency in which the secretary would seem 10 prefer
| that that course should be pursued. WHISTLER thai
contingency Ia likely 10 happen, the gentleman from
South Carolina Mr.. HoLMEs can Judge as well "a
| | can Il is sufficient for me 10 say that, In the
| opinion of the COMMITTEES on Military Affairs, 20
raise regiments, and at the same time 10 give
TO the President the discretionary power contained
in the fourth section, 10 add ten priyates 10 each
company of the existing establishment, more fully
attained the objects and ends Of the reeommenda-
tion and more completely provided for the kind Of
service required than any other course OF legislation
which could be pursued. .aV ytu Z +. b
propose nov 10 show some Of the advantages
which will result 10 the country from this Piea Of
the organization OF new regiments over that OF in'
eressing ne existing establishment; and m doing
this il IL important to inquire what kind of service
| these regiments will be required to perform. The
President, il s true, has the power to order hem TO
any point Of the Union but II has been already sta
ted--and SUCH think, will be his determination
that he may probably station them on the western
frontier, and probably on the line 10 Oregon What
kind Of men do you want on that service bueh
men ss has been described by the gentleman from
New York, mr. RArHsUs'l- taken from your
large cities-a trodden-down sprltless set, such as
would receive the LASH il IL were requisite TO apply
| ID Surely not. We want no such material for an
army. We want men who are hound TO the institu-
tons Of the land who love their country for their
countrys sake, and who acknowledge that the hrst
great law OF that country Is obsdienes TO tho laws;
men who, in serving privates, would not feel
themselves degraded. Such the men that we
want; such the men who To be found IN the
South and on western prairies, who breathe the
pure atmosphere Of liberty and who know It's bless
ngs and feel ii degradation to fight for them, II
necessary.
The gentleman also thought proper to speak Of
the characterization Of our army, and OF force 10
be raised from the freemen Of the West. have no
fear that a regiment from the western States would
bear out the description he has given. In 1913 and
1914 the western did not show that spirit Of in
subordnation. They have never done so when the
tocsin was sounded and the drum beat, and they
called on to serve their country; do think
they ever will do so. We want men acquainted
with pioneer life, who have been accustomed to the
woods--men who sit in the saddle, and who
know how to manage a horse, and the use Of the
never-failing rihe--who can pursue an enemy, and
whose habits Of life such, that they can wrap
Themselves in blanket at night, and sleep comfort
ably in the open air. contented be in the service OF
their country.
The hour appointed for terminating this debate
approaches so rapidly, and there are many gen
demen anxious TO speak, that | am obliged TO pass
over many things to which | should desire to ad-
vert. should have been glad to have read further
extracts from the reports OF the Secretary OF War
and the COMMANDMENT chief and TO have enlarged
on the efficiency Of the particular corps recommend
ed in the bill. l should have been glad to have
read statements demonstrating that the military
force of the United States had been Withdrawn from
almost all the posts in the North and the lakes,
and that but very small proportion Of It were nov
TO be found there. recommend to gentlemen who
represent the North to look to the facts in this
spect, that they may in what defenceless con-
diton their people have been left. Il has been the
policy Of our government TO quarter the Indian
tribes western frontier. They must be kept
ments shall be protected from their incursions; and
l, for one, am disposed TO furnish all requisite
means to accomplish that object.
| My friend from South Carolina Mr.. HoLMEs]
has offered amendment restricting the President
in the appointment of officers TO the present line OF
the army. This, | think, would be an objectiona.
BILE provision in more respects than have time to
eucidate. The bill assumes about the best form in
this respect that can be given to III and perhaps the
only form in which it can pass consistently. II is
Questionable whether we restrict the Presiden
in these appointments even lift were necessary to
be done, which | cannot admit.
Mr.. Isaac Z. HOLMES. | desire to correct the
| constitutional idea Of the gentleman. will men,
ton fact. When the marine corps en-.
larged the restriction expressly put upon the
President that the officers should be taken out Of
that corps. And the constitution is this whilst j
gives the right Of appointment to the Presi
dent, the Legislature, can restrict the mode and
manner of appointment in all cases. All that my
amendment proposes to do is to restrict, not the
lection, but the mode and manner.
| Mr.. HARALsoN. Whatever precedent may hith.
have been set for violation of the constitution
it furnish apology for its repetition and it il
our duty to carry out that constitution regardless,
Of any precedents that may exist of innovations up
\ on it. may be wrong in my views. believe tn,
bill to be in the correct form, independent of the
constitutional requistion. But will read that par
of the constitution applicable to the case:
"The President shall have power by and with the advc
and consent the Senate treaties provided two
thirds Of the senators present concur and he shall
nate and by and with the advice and Of the Senate
shall appoint ambassadors other ministers and consuls
judges OF the Supreme Court and all other officers of tn
United States, whose appointments are not herein Other
but the Congress may by law the appointment
inferior officers as they think proper in the Presiden
alone in the courts OF law or In the heads of depart
| ments"
/ If then, Continued Mr. H. you do not lodge tn
| power in the President, you must lodge it in tn
head Of the department, for presume it will not b
argued that it should be given to the courts Of law
Mr.. HOLMES wished to ask one more question.
Mr.. HARRISON said he was willing if it was tn
last.
/ Mr.. HOLMES. II the gentleman will refer to tn
statute book, he will find that law was passed re
srictng the appointment Of staff officers to the line
Mr.. HARALsoN. Did that law affect in any wa
the constitution of the country
| Mr.. HOLMES. Precisely as this does-no more
| Mr. HARRISON. Nor did Il.
i Mr.. HOLMES. Yet you say that the amendment
/ have offered does affect the constitution.
Mr.. HARALsoN. The constitution remains tn
same, and ought to affect the law, il the law con
! hicts with it. The act cannot affect the constu
ton. II yon have n right to restrict the appoint
ments to a certain Glass; you have right to restrit
still further and even restrict to individuals, and d
rect the President whom he shall appoint-an limo
walton upon the constitution which, whether we st
prove the article in the constitution not the ger
teman would hardly sanction while the constitutio