Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-07-11
GENERAL SCOTT.

~ against oCu' CCOTTj cmui aCtuS many
details, upon the accuracy of which, it says,
entire reliance may be placed; and "all
showing how he and his gallant brethren
in arms were to be circumvented, and
eventually. sacrifcedto mere party calcu.
ations and appointments" A political tao.
tilion. adds the Courier, would have avoi-
ded the difficulty; but a brave soldier could
not brook the idea that mere party leaders
were to be appointed to the army.
After abiding to the fact that Gen. Scott
gladly received an intimation from Pres.
dent Polk that he was to command the Ar
my in Mexico, and. while awaiting his
written orders-without which he has no
warrant for going at all-employed him
self in making the necessary arrangements,
the Courier enters into searching review
of the agency of Mr.. Secretary Marcy, in
interpolating two sections in the supple
mentary war bill proposed by Gen. Scott
and of the many other movements at
Washington connected with the "conspira-
cy."
1.-THE first Of the two sections interpolated, pro-
vlded for two major generals and four brgadier
generals to be added TO the regular army Of some
1000 men, susceptible Of being extended in all
1916 10 10 or $4,000 men. There were already
in service four generals-Scot Gaines, Jessup
and Wool-besides nine brigaders by breret-
The gallant and successful Taylor. being one of
The nine. The six generals, it was universally
understood IN ha tol a.,
or rather from political life-that is 10 say, from
the party. Our little regular army, not amount
ing at present to more than two divisions OF four
brigades, and not likely TO amount at any time to
more than three divisions or six brigades, would
have numbered nineteen general officers-withn
four OF the greatest number that we had at any
one lime, brevets and all, in the war OF 1912
with an army Of 10000 men
Gall this was before news had reached Wash.
ington Of Taylor's brilliant successes on the Rio
Grande, these were only heardo there about 23d
May.
at seemed then most unavoidable conclusion
that these six new regular Generals were to be
appointed, in the first place, on The spois princ.
pie, to reward SO many partisan5-and secondly,
to supersede Scott, Taylor and others in the com.
mand Of the war against Mexico; and finally, at
its conclusion, that it was designed to retain in
service the partisan Generals, and dismiss those
older in commission and who had fought their way
to distinction and rank. No one in Washington,
at the time, doubted that such was The purpose
Indeed Mr.. Senator Benton, in his speech on the
subject OF the new appointments, avowed it as The
"policy" Of the Administration to appoint party
Generals TO conduct the war. Generals" said
he "are wanted who would look 10 the authority
which appointed them. Political talent more
than mere military skill, was needed to conduct
an invasion successfully" This policy, it is fair
10 suppose, the Chairman OF the Senate's Militia.
ry Committee derived from the Secretary OF War,
on his visit 10 the committee room on the 10Th,
two days before General SCOTS first letter, writ.
ten as soon as he found himself in the tolls, and
perceived the game that was playing
"The second nterpolated section OF the same
bill (No. 1867 provided for calling into the ser.
vice Of the United States with the twelve months
volunteers, and to command them, full number
Of Militia Major Generals and brigadiers.''
The Courier then refers 10 the surprise which
these interpretations caused General Scott, and his
subsequent circumstances against them, and goes
on to investigate partially some other particulars
OF the singular affair with which the public are
generally familiar.
By way OF moral, the Courier then insists that
the Secretary's interpolated sections have caused
The whole delay and difficulty in the passage OF
The bill, and that a much worse feature is the
avowed "policy' Of making the army and its
honors and commands "the spoils of party"
"According to Mr.. Marcy's bill, and to Mr..
Benton's avowal in The Senate, it is now proposed
to select the commanders of our armies, as tide
waters and collectors, and receivers OF the pub.
lie moneys are selected-(or their party allie.
glance or subserviency and the blood OF our chill.
dren, and the honor Of our flag are to be gam.
bled away in the political lottery, which is in
constant and corrupling activity throughout the
length and breadth OF our land. A certificate
from the obscure dens Of the Empire Club will
be more availing than the most honorable and
preserving course Of studies at West Point-he
most thorough instruction in the science Of the
profession OF arms, and the most unmpeachable
testimonials OF high moral character,
at is impossible 10 believe that just people,
when made acquainted with all the facts, will
permit public benefactor-as Scott, by the
admission OF all, is--to be put under the ban for
the sole offence OF resisting mean and shabby
party scheme 10 demoralize the army by making
It's offices the rewards OF party sycophancy or
violence"
The following particulars of the loss OF
the Mexicans in the battles of the 9th and
9th of May, are given in Arista's official
l