The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-12
THE DAILY UNION

ty and union. Let these gentlemen who are Their,
now know that after their time has expired no fur
Their additions will be made and let the vote which
we give on this motion be a warning that even il
we should now fail in our object, the motion
will be renewed from time to time in the hope tina
1t may yet finally triumph.
IL is said that these young men are sent there Il
be educated for the service OF the country in time
of war. What are the facts | assert that nine.
tenths Of the young educated there at the pub
lie expense never spend one hour in the public ser
vice after their education has been completed But
30 soon as they have received their education al
the public expense, (whilst the mass OF the eommu-
nifty have to educate their own chlldren) and ar
rived at manhood, they enter the professions. The
objection would not be strong, II the children OF
the poor were educated al West Point. But il il
the children of the rich-the pOwerful-the inhuen-
tlal classes; the children Of members Of Congress
and their friends and almost fear that this very
fact may so operate to prevent forever the aboli
ton Of this institution.
Mr.. BURT explained. The gentleman was mis-
taken in his facts. Beyond the interest which he
| (Mr. b. felt as an American citizen and a member
OF this House in the institution, he had none in it.
But he held in his hand a paper, (Which he would
be glad TO submit to the examination Of the gentle
man. showing the occupation and condition Of two
hundred and twenty-one OF the cadets the 9Th
June, l642. One hundred and eighty-two were ia
INDECENT, or in reduced or moderate circumstances;
and the families Of hundred and forty -four resi-
ded in the country. No high functionary of the gov
eminent, general State, had at that time a son
there. Whatever objections might exist TO the acad
envy, he was sure that the gentleman from Ohio de-
sired 10 be correctly informed 10 the facts.
! Mr.. SAWYER have not looked at the tables
| spoke merely from my own experience.
was saying that feared tho influence which
could be brought 10 bear against this amendment
might forever defeat it, will state the reason. IL
is because members Of Congress have sons there.
! They stand in the line Of safe precedents They
have their educated, and the sons Of such OF
their constituents friendly 10 US. And | say,
that 80 far my experience goes, II is the OF
the wealthy that educated there. | know that
there arc members Of Congress-not a few-who at
| this moment have sons at that academy.
Mr.. BURT. BY the appointment Of members
Of Congress- Or since they came to Congress'
Mr. SAWYER. ! do not know. | saw them
very busy here yesterday voting against this
amendment, and think they will do so again. |
venture to say that they will keep on and that the
same influence will operate upon the minds Of gen.
tlemen for the future. Therefore It is that fear
the institution is fastened upon for all time
come.
Mr.. BRINKERHOFF. My colleague seems to
attribute the votes Of members TO Interested motives
| voted against the amendment. But have never
been instrumental in making more than one APP
polntment, and that was young mana mechanic
"A printers apprentice, worth nothing in the world
make this explanation that the gentIeman's charge
may not be made to apply to me-
THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
The committee rose informally and
message was received from the President of the
United States, by the hands Of Mr. J. X. Walker
his private secretary transmitting copies Of certain
(addltonal) corresp Dndence between the department
and General Taylor and Gen. Taylor and General
AmpudIa, &c. In its dates II is earlier than some Of
that transmitted yesterday.
The message and documents were read laid on
he tabl nd nrle tn he
Mr.. BRODHEAD indicated, but did not press
q motion for extra number.
WEST POINT ACADEMY.
The Chairman having resumed his seat in CON-
mIttee-
Mr.. SAWYER continued. In answer to the
suggestion OF my colleague, Mr.. BRIsKEhHoFF,l |
would inquire whether that poor printers boy OF
whom he speaks was not an apprentice in printing
office, where there democratic sheet printed
whether my friends political reputation was not
somew What at stake or whether some favors were not
expectedi
Mr.. BRINKERHoFF. l, was a democratic
printing Office; but no political consideration what
ever actuated me.
Mr.. SAWYER. Except the general considsra-
ton. -
Mr.. BRTNKERHoFF. state further that he
was not only poor printers boy, but the son of
mechanic halter of our town.
Mr.. SAWYER. We'll, must say that my coli
league has done better than many others. II all had
done as well, the institution, so far, would be
good.
Mr.. BURT made remark, or submitted an in
curry, not heard by the reporter.
Mr.. SAWYER. About individual cases | am
not prepared to speak, but, far as my experience
goes, repeat that it is the children of the wealthy
and the influential who get to that establishment. |
believe hat to be true. Therefore it that | fear
we may not be able to rid ourselves Of the nstitu-
ton, though hope we may do hereafter.
ived
additional documents from the army. am not dis
posed to censure the conduct Of Gen. Taylor; but
must say that feel very little confidence in the
course he has taken. He certainly had been invest
ed with all the power that man could have to call
to his aid all the military force he needed; and seeing
the enemy approaching under the declaration which
they made, that they would consider that an act Of
war had been committed if he did not withdraw his
army he ought TO have taken the warning he received
and made preparations for every emergency yet here
to-day, after hearing OF the massacre Of soldiers,
we are told that we should not go over to the Mex
lean territory; that we have already invaded the
soil of Mexico; and that should not blame her
Tor declaring war against us, and shooting down our
soldiers. am not astonished to hear such language
from the source whence 1t has come, either here or
at the other end of the Capitol. The same language
was used in the days of DID, and will be used by
certain gentlemen so long as the republic exists.
But especially regret that, whilst this House has
so literally and 30 promptly made the requisite ap-
preparations to carry on the war, and to relieve
army from its present desperate situaton-I say
especially regret that, out Of the Ia negative votes
only fourteen, thank God-fve of them should have
come from my own State. Out of the twenty-six
States represented here there were but fourteen neg
alive votes, and FIVE Of these Ohio furnished. One
consolation have; neither of them halls from be-
meath the folds Of the democratic flag. | say it is
the only consolation | have--but it Is a consola-
ton
To return, for moment, to the cadets. have
very little faith in their capabty to conduct our
military affairs as to rebound to the credit and glory
Of the country. do not know instance of a
brave, gallant champion coming from that nstitu-
ton. Whenever we have had such, they have all
been picked up from the fields, and the woods, and
the workshops of our country.
With reference to the remark | made that these
young men, after receiving their education left the
public service, would add that if this institution is
continued it ought to be made imperative on those
educated there at the public expense to their
country to make returns in good faith for the benc-
fits they have received. But repeat, as things now
stand nine out of ten never enter the army. They
AXE heter In vera or nrofessionnI mon hen mi