The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-01-16
Affairs at Washington.
Correspondence of the Boston Atlas.
Wnshington, Jam. z.

...I-,.. Washington, Jan. 4.
Speculation is at least at an end concern
ing the course of the Executive as TO tile
much mooted matter of the Lieutenant Gem
eralship. His Message was transmitted to
both Houses of Congress to-day, assuming
the responsibility of such recomlnendntlon,
accompanied by reasons that struck nobody
as pertinent 10 the object proposed. The
truth is, Mr. Polk was committed To Mr. Ben
ton before he was aware of what he incurr-
ed, and nothing but the dread ofan exposure,
and the apprehension of the wrath Of tho
Missourian, induced him to take the step TO
which he is now committed. As soon as the
intention was announced to the public, 9fthe
contemplated appointment Of DIR Benton,
there was general movement ia the South
ern wing of the party, to dissuade the Presi-
dent from presenting it in n message 1t was
| then, however, too late 10 retreat. tie was
compelled TO go through the ceremony ofrec-
| qmmending, leaving to Congress The disposal
of its fate.
There is little probability, that il can be
carried through either House, for there is
fixed determination in the South TO PROSTATE
Benton, cost what it may. Mr. Calhoun, his
great rival has been sigularly nctive since the
purpose was first known, and has addressed
personal appeals to every Senator, identified
with his interest, ms well as 70 members of
|
but the bill will be speedily reported in the
Senate. as Mr. Benton is at the head of the
committee, which has il in charge. No Wing
will, or ought to sustain this movement. IL
has been gotten up between tie Administra-
ton and a favUrite leader, to reflect upon the
capacity of the soldier who has won whatev-
er laurels have been acquired in Mexico, and
him who has boon recently ordered 10 the
general comuapd, In time of war it is the
duty of the Government to retrench the OH
ces and the public expenditures, and not to
augment them. There is no duty that could
be assigned TO Mr. Benton, as Lieutenant Cen
eraI. that could not be equally well discharg-
ed by Scott or Taylor, as Major General We
want no military orders in government like
this, and instead of increasing grades and
ranks, we might consistently and heue6cially
~ OF many that have grown up within few
los r The whole tendency of Locofocolsnl
z 80 ;nnose distinctions in Society, and 10
surround Office with Insignia and authority,
that in time would lead to the dowHtuI Of the
Republic. .
Accompanying the Message, there was
recommendation of the Ten Regiment Bill,
now under discussion in the House. There
will be opposition to this measure, not upon
the principle ofrefusing supplies alone, but
because il is not right in ITSELF Under the
recently called for, there have not been order
, ed out in all, exceeding $4,000 Wen. There
, is margin, therefore, Qf27'000, WHICH may
be required by the Executive, unless, as ne
intimated today, the war enthusiasm has con-
siderably Diminished. This is not for US to
= know. The organ of the administration has
always been at fever heat on this point, as
surfing the country that there were thousands
: and thousands ready TO rush to the scene of
, hostilities. Here is a fair opportunity TO fest
, the sincerity of the proclamation, and ], for
) one, am really DESTROYS to see the heavy Tory
J Counties of Virginia, which contributed so
much to bring about this war, by the election
I of Mr. Polk, furnish at least one company TO
prosecute il NOW that there is need of their
services ut the cartouch box aud not at the
ballot box. Page, Rockingham and Shenan-
doah, that can turn ont their and 1000 Toy
= majority on election day, have not mustered
a platoon for the field. This is one reason,
why wish the volunteering system pursued.
I Another is, am opposed to any standing mr.
, my, of which this is but the entering wedge;
and the last is, object to this principe of
creating offices and augmenting Executive
patronage ip time of war. If Regulars are
, absolutely necessary, let the regiments now
= in active service, which number bu; sixty and
seventy men to the company, be filed up 10
- the standard of 100, and let the rest be sup
I piled from the volunteers.
> Washington, Jan. 5.
Col. Benton and Mr. Polk were both very
unceremonionsly floorcd by the Committee
on Military Affairs in the House to-day. in re-
: gard 10 the Lieutenant Generalship, recori-
inended TO Congress yesterday, The Chair
man asked to be discharged from the consid-
6 Grafton of that portion of the Message, aud
4 moved that it he laid OH the table, as he would
: bove done some miserable petition without
character or claim. The South sutcerdedin
4 revenging themselves ON the Missourian, and
in rebuking Mr. Polk in the same breath
Take this in connection with the vote OF q
: want of confidence in the Administration, SO
emphatically expressed on Saturday, and II
r might be fair toinfer, that Mr. Polk and his
little concern was in anything but pleasant
!, predicament. The former followers of the
b Administration seem to have become Impress,
:. ed with the force of that lesson of practical
: wisdom, in which Cominius .endeavorcd tP
y instruct Coriolanus,7-
i "Manhood is calpd f9olery,wllen it stands
s Against falling fahic" -
! n Washington, Jan. 6, 1s47.
i There has been systematic effort on the
n part of the administration and his friends, ev-
G err since the opening ofthe session, 10 depre
h ciate the position of General Taylor, and &c
v spread statements calculated TO affect his
military reputation. This movement hat
been conducted under the insidous disguise
Il ofproiessed respect and friendship=-at once
J., the most faithless and fatal. Since this Lieu
Q tenant Generalship was first mootedi various
e reports have been circulated from The yicini
1. ty of the White House that Taylor was I
/ 'brave s. gallant soldier" n "hard fighter" 4
v the like, but that his genius was not adapted
: 10 an extensive campaign,he had POT ihe nee
r. RI.