The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-11

10 In consequence OF the importance OF the subject
and OF the deep interest which the public take in it, and of
the various speculatons which have gone forth in the
public presses, hasten to lay the following cores
pondence before readers II is taken from printed
copy before u.s. which Gen Benton has addressed to
the members of the Senate.
is subject of much regret, that circumstances have
prevented the employment of his talents in this branch
of the public service The President regrets it, because
he has the highest confidence in the military talents the
great skill, and the great energy of Gen Benton He
had hoped to have in his power place him the
head of the army The House of Representatives had ex
pressed by very large majority, their desire TO have
general chief selected by the President HIMSELF but
the whole federal party of the Senate coalition with that
baance of power party to whose gracious dispensaton
we are indebted for our exclusion from the honor of lo
ling on their privileged soas defeated the proposition
and placed the President in embarrassing relation
the whole subject This important having been
thus rejected by the coalition in the Senate he found
a critical examination of the existing laws of Con-
gress, that he had no power to "desgnate General
Benton-a junior major general-to the chief COM
mand of the army in the field" without supersedng
four other generals who held senior commissions,
and who at this time employed actively the field
to have dome it at this critical conuncture would have
been to leopard the Of arms and to embaass
the military operations now in process OF execution.
Under these circumstances much he regrets the loss of
General Bentons services in the field, the President felt
himself compelled to pursue the course which his reply
OF the 9th points out Upon the receipt OF this letter.
General Benton promptly, and frankly, and in terms
which do him high honor, declined to accept the appoint
ment OF major general in the army, which the President
had offered to him. and which the Senate had hon
orably and unanimously confirmed.
It is possible that this measure, deemed of vital mpor
lance by the President might still have ultimately been
passed by majority OF the Senate, if il had not been
nounced Tin conversaton) by of the federal
that they would have spoken out the remainder of the
sion on the last night of Congress, and thus defeated
not only this BILL but the passage of some OF the APP
preparation bills Just as the million bill had been de-
feated the last day Of the long session, by Senator
Davis speaking against it Rather than lose those bills
so indispensable to keep the wheels OF government in
motion during the war; the friends of the (of
the appointment of commanding generaD were com
PEELED to abandoni it.
By this result the country does not lose the services
of Mr. Benton, but he remains in the high office Of
senator of the United States, which he has so long and
honorably graced.
(CoPY)
WAsmNeToN CITY, March 10, 1917
SIR; Please receive mark of my respect, copy
of following letters which explain the circumstances
Hpder which decline accept the appointment Of major
general in the army.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant
THOMAS H. BENTON.
Jorhe Hon. Mr. of the United States Senate
WASHINGTON CITY, March6, 1917
Sn: Without waiting for the ormaliy ofbeng presented
vi, the commission Of major general in the army of the
niued States, think il right TO inform you mt that
m " or re of
de pend entirely public and national considerations
OF wGn yo s his WIN c &c b be ya eUo y
be of service to the country willing to forego all
private considerations myself from my family,
under painful circumstances resign my place in the Sen
ate which is dear me-and proceed immediately to
the theatre of war My only stipulation would be for the
powers which deem necessary success and these
yould he both military and dplomatic-,he command OF
army, and authority to sign prelimnaries of peace,
ba sed upon previously approved by you.
proposed stipulation There is such thing
in IT, II proceeds from thorough conviction that with
i oorlinate command, could do good in the army
IT, contrary that my presence there would be improper and
mi am known from public speeches. to
so pprove plans both of the late and of the present
com; uander-Uhe defensive policy of one, and the San
Juan IF Ulua attack of the oher)and this being known
INV mr., would operate implied cense on the
two gen erals and might make me, in spite of myself the
,clna II sconen and characterization. The command
of the army therefore, is the only military position which
could hold IN - -
minnres OF peace, deem highly essential TO success, rs
II vould ena bic the commandernehei to take instant ad
vantage ali passing events military or POLITICAL to close
Furnished with these powers, am willing to make the
sacrifices and incur the responsibilities OF this high com
mand leave IL oyou, sir for your free and hna dec
SION considering national question, and new one
ON which there is commitment, either sde in any
Watever may be the decision my thanks and gratitude
viii be the less TO you for your unsolicited nomination