The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-28


discipline in the troops-he power derived from the
science OF war increases with the increased size OF
the contendng armies. With two thousand we had
beaten six thousand; with twenty thousand we
would far more easily beat sixty thousand, because
the general must be an educated soldier who Yields
large bodies of men, and the troops TO act efficiently
must be disciplined and commanded by able officers
| He but said what he had long thought and often
said when he expressed his confidence in the ability
Of officers TO meet those Of any service-fayOr-
ably TO compare in all that constitutes the soldier
with any army IN the world and the field wdened
for the exhibition, so would their merits shine more
brightly still.
| Rio Grande he had enjoyed personal aequain-
tance and hestated not TO say that all which skill
and courage, and patriotism could perform nigh
| be expected from them. He had forbone TO speak
| of the general commanding on the Rio Grande on
any former occasion; but he would now say to those
who had expressed disrust that the world held not
soldier better qualified for the service he was en-
gagged in than General Taylor. Trained from his
youth to arms, having spent the greater portion OF
| his life on our frontier, his experience peculiarly
fits him for the command he holds. Such as his con-
duct was in Fcrt Harrison, the Upper Msss-
sppi, in Florida, and on the Rio Grande, will It be
wherever he meets the enemy Of his country.
Those soldiers TO whom so many have applied
aepreciatory epithets, upon whom II has been so
often said no reliance could be placed, they, too,
will be found in every emergency renewing such
feas as have recently graced our arms, bearing the
Amerleae flag To honorable trumphs, or falling be-
meath Its folds as deyotees TO our common cause TO
| die a soldiers death.
| He rejoiced that the gentleman from South Caro-
| lima [Mr. BLACKl had shown himself so ready to
pay this tribute TO army. He hoped not voice
would be raised In opposition TO IL that nothing but
the stern regret which is prompted by remembrance
Of those who braVey fought and nobly died will
break the joy, the pride, the patriotic graduation
with which we hail this triumph Of our brethren on
the Rio Grande.
Mr. ASHMUN here raised the point of order
that, under the constitution Of the United States
money could be appropriated except by law, and
that joint resolution not being law, no money
could be appropriated except It took the form of a
! bill.
Mr. BRINKERHOFF read the precedent in the
case Of Commodore Perry, and the squadron under
his command, when three months pay TO all the
Pryates Of the squadron was awarded by joint reso-
| luton.
Mr. ADAMS sustained Mr. AsHMUE's objec-
| ton.
The CHAIRMAN said that the books were full
| Of precedents in which money had been appropria-
ted by joint resolution. For his own part he never
| had entertained but one opinion, and that that
no money could be appropriated except by aw-that
was to say by act or bill Probably the conve-
nient mode Of dIsposing Of the matter would be at
once to decide that the amendment Of the gentleman
from South Carolina, Mr.. BLACK in its present
| form, not IN order.
Mr. BLACK said that looking to the practice of
the government, he would appeal from the decision
| of the chair
| Mr. BRINKERHOFF suggested that the difficult
ty could be obviared by changing the phraseology
Of the resolution as to It to read bill and
joint resolutlon and that the single section which
| appropriated one months pay should commence
with the words "Be it enacted" instead Of BE it
resolved"
Mr.. BLACK said, he would then so change the
phrlseology of his amendment "a TO read, "And be
| il further enacted"
| Mr.. B. subsequently withdrew the appeal he had
| taken1
| Mr. HARALSON said, upon such a subject am
almost unwilling TO trust myself These resolutions
intended to express the gratitude Of the country,
and especially Of Congress, for the recent brilliant
achievements Of our little army on the Rio Grande.
| The honor of our arms has been sustained, and
again they trump plant against an enemy largely
| outnumbering us. The victory was complete.
| Under such circumstances repeat my unwilling.
ness tostrust myself do not know where to stop.
l am well willing TO go with those who go farthest
| in voting extra pay TO those who have stood up for
the defence Of their country, for those who have
| been wounded, and for the widows and children Of
those who may have fallen. Nor do | doubt that
such is the general spirit which anmates of us
| In that spirit gave my vote in committee for the
| amended resolutions which have been reported by
the gentleman from Ohio, Mr. BRRKERuoFF !
But sir it is too palpabe that the different amend
ments which have been offered, and OF which we
have had indication, will lead to a debate and per-
| haps to disagreement upon a subject upon which
| above all others, we ought to be united. Would it
not be WE'LL therefore, for to pass the rcsou ions
Of thanks to Gen. Taylor and his gallant little army
unanimously, as hope it may be done, and reserve
these questions out Of which discussion must arise
| for future occason-to-morrow or even this even
| ing, after we have passed upon the resolutions of
thanks' feel it would be the higher compliment the
army itself 1t has done much for US, and deserves a
| speedy and unanimous tribute. Although thou
sands of brave volunteers were hocking to the
standard Of the country, eager to participate in the
first conflict and victory, 1t is matter worthy of note
that this achievement has been gained by the valor
| and intrepdty of our little army alone. Let US
pass the resolutions as amended by the Committee
on Military Affairs, expressing our thanks, and
giving months extra pay TO those who have shared
in this victory This will be an earnest of our future
legislation. Some gentlemen have expressed doubts
as to the propriety of appropriatng money by reso
luton under the constitution-tha it must be done
bya bill This objection, think, does not apply to
the original resolution. II it does, would be will
ing to pass bill making the necessary appropria-
tion and which might suit the views of these gen
tlemen. trust shall so direct course as that
the resoutons may pass unanimously, and without
any hesitation.
Mr.. BRINKERHOFF said he hoped the sug-
geston of the gentleman from Georgia would not be
adopted Of separating the one months pay to the
non-commissioned officers and private soldiers from
the resolution of thanks.
Mr.. HARRISON explained that he made no
such proposition. He went cordially for the reso.
ution of the gentleman, including the one month g
pay; but he thought further action might with pro-
priety be deferred until it could be had in a form
which would suit all.
Mr.. BRINKERHOFF (resuming) said this prop
osi,ion at any rate had been made by others For