Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-06-06

leaving the President the entire discretion of selecting the in
dviduals II would leave him wide choice from among tn
gallant and the brave from among who had distinguish
ed themselves by deeds which proved them fit abb
to lead an army to victory ay, and conquest W it
be- any where We wanted no major generals bi
gadie generals We had number already brevetted ane
here favorable opportunity render their brevet ranl
something of solid value to give real efficiency make
significant of what il was intended to mean.
But was said that it would do To send army Off
GERS to command the volunteers. Why not How many
States of this Union had been called for enough egmen
to form command for major general New York hat
been called furnish Did gentlemen believe thai
volunteers would rebel because they placed under gal
liant men who had service in the army Would they
if placed under such Scott and Worth,
Wool, and host Of others whom he might name No
Would they rather have such TO lead them to battle
than and inexperienced officers, however excellent the
personal characters might be He would undertake to
that with such TO lead them on, the of New York
would rebel Now the time to seize the invaua
BILE opportunity Of rewarding merit.
Some gentlemen expressed fear that II we once got the
epauets these men, should be able TO get them
off again We ought TO desire to get them off II
what the officers of the regular line of the army had right
expect what they had looked throughout their lives
When they entered the army they knew that they had
country that disposed to reward all who served her.
there any incentive that could be successfully addressed
the bosom of soldier the hope of promotion But
if gentlemen cast their eye the roll of army they
would these officers who had served for ten fifteen and
twenty years without any promotion but when last their
call were able TO
invaluable service in her cause, ought Congress and the Ad
minsratioh to be rackng their brains get officers from
where else take the rank which they ought enjoy
Yet that was this bill.
An amendment had been proposed which went to conine
the appointment of these officers only the continuance of
existing war; that the end of the war we should have
but major general and two bngaders. What had we
now If the bill passed in its present form, should
the end Of the three generals and brgae
who then leave the When they had fought
battles, and needed them longer in the field, the
President to say to them Retire, have more
need for you though you entitled to be regularly pro-
NOTED, you must stand asde and make for who
appointed yesterday"
He heard the gentleman from Alabama (Mr McCoNsELL)
say that they did not that Scott should remain major
general He presumed that that was indeed the intention in
introducing this bill. 1t could in fact nothing else
While he up, Mr. c. would take this occasion say
he did often trouble the House with remarks of his and
opportunity had been afforded for the discussion Of the
bill declaring and especially tseemed to have become
the habit of the House pass bills first and discuss them az
terwadsha he had voted with those who recognised the
existence of state of and for all the supplies
and for every other calculated to bring the contest
speedy and glorious conclusion He not of those
who blamed the President for sending the army to protect the
Union at and point where seemed be threatened
1t very true that he had voted against the admission
Texas into the Union but, admitted, he ready to
defend every inch of her soil just if she
the old States The having been declared he
not for throwing the blame exclusively upon shout
ders He thought that Mexico had done much provoke
this people and their Government and he should go heartily
for the of his country, and for speedy and
honorable peace. We had now after signal victory,
display magnanimty and he hoped should not prove
too cxacng BUNDLED foe. He trusted it might be
needu for pursue them the heart of Mexico but that
they would meet half way with the olive branch Of peace
and most proptous time for US accept of the pacific
overture. Let look first to honor but let
not forget, also, to respect the rights of others.
The committee rose.
THE debate renewed the following day. but
space will enable publish any of in this paper
The bill was finally passed. with various amendments which
made necessary it the Senate. When is per
ected, and becomes law, will publish it. One OF the
amendments reduced the number of Generals be appointed
10 one Major General and two Bigadiers.
oFFICERING THE MILITIA
Mr. GARRETT DAVIS here moved that the special order
postponed enable him introduce the following
luton
Whereas Government the United States has power
call the States for regular troops for any other de-
crpton of force but militia either dughed volunteers
md whereas by entitled " An providing for the
Of the existing between the United and
he Republic Of Mexico the President authorized to call
and accept the services Of number OF not
seeding 0oO and he has thereof called the
Governors Of several States for specified number OF voun-
and said States have proceeded raise and to appoint
,eers for the volunteer forces raised by hem which they
do unless the troops raised be militia oil
he States and the several State authorities, and the volun
who have offered to serve for twelve months, intending
understanding that they be employed by the Uni
ed States volunteer militia for that OF service where
ore,
BE resolved bu the Senate and House of Rebresetatues
Ne United States Of America IN Congress assembled That
Ill volunteer troops raised TO DO raised under the act aore
ad and hereby declared to be volunteer militia Of
Staec the h may raise any portion OF
ad volunteer troops have respectively the right to appoint
heir officers
Mr. PETIT moved that the motion to postpone the spe
rial order be laid the table
The SPEAKER said the motion to lay on the table the
motion postpone ORDER but that the gentleman would
accomplish the object he had in view by doing as eec
uay if he let the motion TO postpone be put; but If the
gentleman persisted in the motion he would put the question
Mr. PETIT persisted in his motion.
Mr. G. DAVIS asked the yeas and nays upon IT and they
were ordered.
Mr. PETIT, however, before the call commenced, with
drew his motion.
And the question required Mr.. DAvIs's motion on
which he asked the yeas and nays, and being ordered
The question MI DAvrs's motion was then taken by
yeas and nays and decided in the negave-Yeas So nays
l0s