The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-05-30
THE COMMANDMENT CHIEF OF THE
MEXICAN WAR

THE COMMANDER-IN IN. CHIEF OF THE
MEXICAN WAR.
we remarked in our paper of last Tuesday,
that we hoped the great injustice would not be
done 10 Gen. Taylor, our country, or Gen. Scott,
10 send the latter gentleman supersede the for
mer In command of the Mexican war, which he
has MOLLY earned. and proved himself SO able to
conduct lien. Scott won laurels for himself at
Lundys Lane, and ever since that he has been
living upon posthumous fame. We have hereto.
lore thoroughly examined his pretensions, when
ne showed his imbscity and petty personal ran.
cour, in the Florida war, from which he was re-
called by Gen. Jackson. We desire now to le,
Inc veil of oblivion rest upon him. and suffer the
wings to run him as their candidate for the Pres
ldency, which will effectualiy "use him up' in
quiet way. Some presses nsinuated that we
feared he would win fresh laurels, God help the
thought, 1t never entered our brain when we
penned the article. We believe it would kill the
old man, and we desired that he should be caro-.
fully nursed for the year 1913. We 90 for Gen
Taylor to receive the highest appointment that
can be conferred-he has earned it by long and
faithful service, he has proved himself WORTHY of
1t by his late distinguished victories on the Rio
Grande. In discussing the subject of increasing
the Generals in the Army, Mr.. Dix of New
York. and Mr.. Morehsad of Kentucky, in the
Senate, made the following remarks-,hose by
the latter gentleman in reference to Gen. Tav,or
we heartily endorse -
THE ARMY-THE INCREASE OF GENERALS
Mr.. Dix moved that the Senate should proceed
to the consideration of the bill supplementary to
the act providing for the prosecution of the exist
ing war between the United States and Mexico.
which motion was agreed to.
The amendment submitted by Mr.. Atcbison
providing that the officers proposed TO be appoint
ed by the bill shall be dismissed from the service
al the close OF the war, or within three months
thereafter being in order
Mr.. Dix made some remarks in favor of the bill.
He referred to the statistics of the army At former
periods, and also the practice adopted in the Eu-
roPean armies, In order to show that the proposed
increase OF general officers was proper. He then
went on TO contend that the dismissal of the Off
GERS at the close of the war would involve great
inJnstice. lie referred to the case of Gen. Tay.
lor, who entered the service in 1908 as first
lieutenant Surely, after life spent in the SER
vice 1t would be poor return to cast him off. He
was entirely opposed to the amendment in the
hrst place, because it would not be obligatory
and, secondly. because if so, it would be exceed
lngly unjust in IFS operations.
Mr.. hlorehead concurred in much of what had
fallen from the Senator from New York. Allud
ing TO the case put by him with respect to Gen.
layior, ne Mr.. M y took occasion to pronounce
high euloglum on that officer There wou]d
be great injustice in placing over him a BROADER
general by brevet-an officer taken from the ranks
of private life. He (Mr. ND was unwilling 10
give the discretionary power of appointment to
any one. He would not give it even to his own
political friends. He did not believe that the
Executive would in these appointments act from
partisan motives. In civil life it was we'll under
stood the partisans of those in power got the
ioaves and fishes, whilst every man was permit
ted to spill his blood for his country. But he
was not disposed to give to any executive the
power OF oversaughing" a man like old
Rough and Ready as they called the heroic
and sk'iful leader of the army on the Rio Grande.
1t had been said that none but regular officers
West Point officers--had been engaged in the
late battles. He did not know whether Captain
May was from West Point. IA Senator. He
was not" Well, he was a pretty good speci-
men of an officer, wherever he came from. He
(Mr. M was, however, opposed to the whole
movement giving to the Executive dscre-
uonary power OF appointment from the ranks of
private lie. He protested it. He hoped before
any bill passed. that the President would BE- re-
CURED to give preference in his selection of of
ficeTs to those already in the service, and that
they would be secured against being suspend ed
by rout homines, brought into the service. and
set over those having superior claims on the leg
lslative department. of the government. He,
therefore, did not agree to the amendment of the
senator from Missouri, Mr.. Atchison,1 and he
hoped That It would be so modified as to meet his
(Mr M.s) views, or if not, that the first section
be stricken sut altogether
The REVENUE SERVICE AND THE
NAVY.
bill Is now before Congress proposing to
unite the Revenue Navy with the NAVY proper
which we Inadvertently, a few DAYS since "b oped