Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-07-09
ALI, THE PATRIOTISM.

following speech.
Upon bill increasing the Number and pay of
certain officers, Mr. Stewart of Pa, made the fol-
lowing remarks IN behalf Of the Volunteers:
Mr. Stewart said that he thought the committee
were expanding too much of their time in making
provision for the officers Of the army, and not max
ing provision for the privates in the ranks. He in
quired Of the Chair whether it would be in order to
move an amendment to The amendment now propos-
ed making an increase in the pay of Volunteers
The officers were well paid and could take care of
themselves, but what was to become of the fami-
hes Of the poor volunteers, who encountered all
the hardshps CT military service for seven dollars
months 1t was very comfortable thing to have
an officers birth and ample provision from Govern
ment, while the men had to fight for almost moth
ing. He thought it was these very men, who alter
all had TO bear the brunt Of the battle, who ought
to be first to be provided for.
Mr. S. had risen mainly for the purpose Of vndi-
eating himself, and thos, who voted with him. from
a false and calumnious charge. The Wings in that
House had been charged with throwing cold water
upon the war, dsheartening the nation, ard decry-
ing and discouraging the volunteers. Now, &C
lons spoke louder than words, and hn should, on
this occasion, appeal to facts to show who were
and who were not justly liable to this charge
What were the facts?
Il few days since bill had been returned from
the Senate reducing the pay of the volunteers from
ten dollars a month 10 seven dollars month. and
on concurrlhg with that reduction, the yeas and
nays had been called; and what was the result P
The Wings in that House went in a body against
concurrence andfor giving the volunteers ten dol
lars, while every member OF the Democratic party.
with the exception of eigh!, had voted to reduce
their pay to seven dollars. Was that the way pat
rlotic gentlemen encouraged volunteering? Mr. S.
looked at votes, not at speeches. lie did not ask
who battered the volunteers, but who voted to pay
them. Apply this test, and how stood the two par
ties Who voted to give him ten lllars a month !?
The Wings. Who were for reducing their paw to
seven dollars? The Democrats. Mr.. S. had pro-
duccd this stubborn fact for the vindlcaton of HIM
sell and his friends. He appealed TO the record
There stood the yeas and nays. Let gentlemen
deny their own votes if they chose.
What more? Mr. S. had introduced rcsou-
ton which proposed to increase the pay of youn-
tcers to ten dollars, and give them hundred and
sixty acres OF land. Here was another test Ey-
cry Wing but fce voted IN favor of the motion, but
1t was voted down by gentlemen on the other side
Mr.. 5. had renewed the same proposition ycsier-
day in Committee OF the whole, bat it was again
voted down by the Democrats in Il body. Now, he
wanted the country to understand this matter. A
strong effort was making 10 the people to be-
ieVe that the Wings were opposed TO the war; that
they were throwing embawassmcnts in the way of
the Administration, dishearcning the army, and dis
couraging the volunteers. These SANDERS were
repeated every day in the official, (lhc Union) and
copied from into all the party papers the follow
ers OF the Union IN the country. Yet how stood
the fact? Who was it that discouraged the voun-
teer! Was it the Wings, who were ready to pay
him ten dollars month and give him comfurta-
bic farms c. it the so-called friends of the al-
mnistration who wanted hin 10 Gaht for nothing
and find himself? Seven dollars month A pref
ty amount of pay for farmer or Il mechanic, who
could get dollar day by aboring at home, but
fnrsOok his busOpss and bis foD,iltr
into the sckly climate of Mexico, encountered the
dangers of the camp, the fatigucs of the march,
and the blood and carnage of battle field! 1t
was said he went for glory. Yes but could his
wife and children live upon glory? The Wings
were ready TO give him tract Of land the Demo-
Gratis voted it down two to one. The Wings want
ed to give him ten dollars month the Democrats
gave him seven. Was not this very patriotic p
Here were gentlemen, flaming patriots too, who re-
ceved their eight dollars for spending few hours
day in legislation, and who then returned TO all
the comforts of plentiful home, and could very
coolly vote a man seven dollars month LESS than
what they themselves received day. for going to
Mexico, n distant and uncongenial climate, and cX-
posing himself to the lances and bayonets OF the
foe These are the men who encouraged our vol
unteers These were the friends of the war =
These were the supporters of the President! While
the Whigs they say, threw cold water on the war
and the volunteers, and all patriotic men who were
ready to fight for the honor Of their country.
Mr. S. wanted 10 fix the responsibility just where
1t belonged. When it was proposed TO give the
volunteers ten dollars per month, there were but
eight Democrats in favor of it, and but five Wings
against giving them ten dollars and one hundred
and sixty acres of land ; yet the Wings are dis
couraginp volunteers Reverse the case let but
eight Wings vote to pay the volunteers, and fve
Democrats against it, and what tremendous dcuun-
Citations would follow? Wings would be expelled
-. -.
votes were spread before the people, let these gem
teman go home and meet the patriotic and honest
farmers and mechanics of the country, and try to
make them believe that Wings were their enemies,
and Democrats their friends, and the mechanics
would hold up to them the yeas and nays, and tell
them that actions spoke louder than words; the
wives and daughters of the volunteers who were
left destitute to scuille for living they could,
would frown upon these men with unIlterable alb
horrence and indignation.
For his own part, Mr. S. said he had voted for
every measure TO strengthen the arm Of the Exec
utlve, and bring the war TO speedy and SUCCESS
, full examinations; and he should do every thing in
his power TO promote such result War was
terrible calamity TO any country, and especially in
country like this; and no matter what he might
think OF the conduct of the Executive in bringing
on this war without consulting Congress, then in
session no matter what he might Think Of the Ex-
ecutlve IN determining upon his own responsibility
that we had good cause of war, and acting upon
that determination without the concurrence OF Con
gress, with whom alone resided the war-making
power; no matter what might be thought of the
conduct of the President in blockadng the Rio
Grande and marching the army from Corpus Chris
ii to Matamoras and pointing our guns into that
city, within the acknowledged limits of Mexico,
itself an act of hostility, and leading inevitably to
war; how far the President could be defended in
such a course without first submitting the alledged
causes of war to the consideration Of the Repre-.
sentatves of the people who had to fight the bat
ties and bear the burdens, were questions he would
not now discuss The President had assumed the