The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-09

since the commencement of our glorious revolution.
In that warhappily for the cause OF humanity and
natural law--ihe high moral courage, wisdom, and
justice Of George Washington ruled triumphant
and kept all right His example kept all subse-
quent commanders right in the wars which follow
ed, until the year 1921, when new System of man
agsmsni and command destroyed the system under
which Washington triumphed while he lived, and In
which tho example Of Washington enabled his faith
ful followers TO triumph long after his death.
! Our bureau system can never work vel here IL
is emphatcalya monarchical system, adapted 10
the action of certain European monarchles, whence
the most objecdonal features OF our bureau system
were borrowed. In monarchy but htae larger 10
its geographical boundaries than two OF our largest
States such system might work well, when mix
ture Of military and political ustgus 40 deemed esss
tia 10 sustain the dvias ght OF the moiarch TO PsA
do,on and raise zap whomsoeyer the policy of certain
prominent men or parties require, without regard 70
the troublesome forms OF legal i~estisation
Hence il was often in the power Of bureau chief
tain to act upon the principle which poary has as
eribed 10 the heather gods
Whom the god, intend to destroy they hfstnAke mad"
Whom the bureau chisftan intends 70 destroy,
need only to be secretly charged with inssniiy OF
nuiiny by such chisfain, and the wore OF destruc-
ron would be accomplished undera, rvsernmsnt ro-
gsrdrss oflaw or jestieo, =
Such system can never work well here, Wash
lngtOn system VI Ucttrr bUtcu " INC n0oehiu
acton Of the constitutional plan Of osr Stales and our
Union: tho perfect political systems Of which seem
to have been designed as If by tho hands OF Prou-
dence in all respects accord with the vast extent
Of geographical limits 10 which they applicable;
and over which they cannot but extend very soon
# We do our duty. The improvements to which
steam power will give speedy action, promise al
that the most singuine American citizen can desire
40 respect to this view Of the subject-within the
next thirty or forty years. -
The only excuse that can be imagined for the
violations Of the laws Of war IN Florida was thai
foes there sapqgss, and adhered closely 70
their ancient rules Of savage warfare Hence, after
hey sued for peace, and peace was promised them
ny one compander-in strict accordance with the
avs Of war-that promise was recklessly violated
ny another and a junior commander! This was one
t the first of series of the gross violations here
referred to.
We may soon fnd in .Msrieo savage tribes, or IN
ther words, native .1merieas, but slightly advanced
IN the arts of civilized communities. In this case II
will be proper for TO treat them as We are IN
honor and in duty bound to treat all other Mexcans-
With the courtesy and kindness required by the
most approved principles OF the laws Of war; giving
efficient protection to the persons and property OF all
aon-eombaianis and more especially rendering every
possible friendly attention to the persons and prop
erty Of all who may be disposed, as am sure many
will be disposed, TO receive us as friends
five have a war with Mexico or England, one OF
the first steps towards success will be to restore to
he chiefs Of divisions the powers conhded TO them
the war of l5l4-l5, and the second essen
al measure will be TO send to the theatre Of action
every bureau officer, mot required by law, or the
peculiar duties assigned TO him to be at the seat OF
.overnment,) TO which should be added a number
4 experienced captains and eutenants sufficient TO
supply each battalion Of volunteers with an acting
staff OF one major and two captains squartermaser
and commlssary Of subsistence, and an ord nncc
,icer TO ,erre tcih the baiiaons respectively and to
nave charge Of all public property and disburse-
belonging to their respective branches Of the
general staff, and to take charge of whatever may
be from time to time taken in battle, or otherwise
captured from those found in arms against US. To
these three regular officers, to serve with each bat
talion should be added for each division Of volun-
eers acting inspector general, and an acting ad-
uant general with an assistant Of each for every
brigade-these to be taken from the majors, cap
tans and lieutenans Of the regular army, and their
places filed by promoting the young officers and the
appointment Of second lieutenans from among the
most promising volunteer officers and soldiers. The
high qualifications Of these regular officers with The
influence Of their instruction and example, would do
much towards converting the proposed campaign
into military school Of the highest order, in which
every aspiring volunteer officer and soldier would
acquire in few months of active service more prac-
tcal military knowledge than they would acquire in
as many years from booEs-military attainments
which would for some years give them the charac-
ter sf experienced Veterans, and render them emn
emily useful in the event of any future in which
we may be involved. This view of the subject Of
the proposed concentration Of force, appears to me
Justify the measure, even If the question of war
or no war should remain doubtful. The proposed
movement would probably prevent war, if hostili-
les should not be commenced before the proposed
concentration of force. And it will be an act Of
mercy and great utility to every Mexican and to
IL. he VTn,o ,ho, ~
commune together, it will enable them to become
| better acquainted, and teach each other what all
their future interests demand that they should lore
another all good neghbors are required by the
| scriptures to do. ..... '..... a.. .
Ihave only to add few words in regard to my
self individually and professionally. Though not
4 young man, have no gray hairs but such as
have grown gray in the military service of my coun-
try. I think | am three years younger than Field
Marshal Butcher was in his last brilliant actions
| near Waterloo. have not been sick for an hour,
90 as to be unable to march at the rate Of twenty
miles in one day. to ride at the rate of forty miles
in one day at any time in the present year Nor
nave during the last twenty-five years, been con-
fined TO my room or tent by disease Of any kind,
more than at the rate of one day in year, three
days in any one year. And moreover, having made
use of every effort in my power to avail myself OF
all the modern discoveries and improvements in the
of war, and more especially such discoveries and
improvements az stcam power, hppicd 70 TdtHohnS,
and to every description Of floating batteries and othsr
means applicable to the Attack and defence Of seaports
and the military posts upon inles takes and rivers,
think myself possessed of as much personal efficiency,
and more mental ability to command the proposed
expedition to the city Of Mexico, and thence If ne
cessary to California or the Isthmus of Panama, or
10Th, than possessed in the summer Of the year
1914 in Canada, at the head Of division, to meet
and triumph over a veteran British army Of near
loube my numbers, commanded by lieutenant
general of the Wellington school, an officer ofhigher
rank than we have had in service since the
last days of our beloved Washington. ra m....
| was sixty-eght years Of age on the Goth Of
March last, and am the only United States soldier
DOW living who ever won a battle at the head Of a
division, over British army. Under these circum-
stances claim as a right the command of the pro-
noscd expedition, consisting, as it must consist prin
ctpaly of regulars and volunteers belonging to the
geographic Il limits of my division.
Having good reason to believe that my claim will
We opposed by Major General Winfield Scott, an
'fficer who has been for many years my junior,
who am sure has labored for more than quarter
of a century past, with far more zeal to cover me
with caumny, and defeat my efforts TO be employed