Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-02-27


existing by authority and if they officers stricken
out Of existence, they could complain What ground
complaint would they have because Congress gave the Pes
dent the right OF selecting his chief commanding officer from
among them
Besides between the in the field anc
the commander at Washington there ought subss
the most intimate and confidential relation, and il did
the public service suffer immensely Mr.. b. did no
say that entire confidence did subsst between III,
President and the Commanding Generals in Mexico yet i
hardly 10 be supposed very confidential relation
between hem because they his rivals being themselves
candidates for the Presidency.
Already had lamenable disclosures such al
all rejecting could not but regret and which cou
have taken place the proper degree Of confidence
between the Executive and those acting under him. Mr..
said he should vote for the amendment proposed for the
reasons he had given
Mr. b. said he had played the partisan in that House
If he was notorious for any thing this that he had had
occasional differences with his party While the Wing side
OF the House had rung throughout the session with nothing
but speeches. made for the purpose being thrown
into pamphlet form and in caroads for distribution with
view to influence the coming election, Mr. b. had pur
sued very different course We were in war; and he
wanted to successfully honorable peace
What the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. DAvis) meant
by his abstract argument constitutional powers Mr. b. did
not exactly comprehend If the gentleman meant to convey
the idea that Congress had been sufficiently consulted
TO the manner of conducting this the position
traey TO the amendment which the gentleman strongly
opposed for it asked Congress cohe the President with
power which, disposed make light of its authority, he
virtually exercise Wllnout asking their PERMISSION
Mr.. GENTRY said he protested to feel ardent de-
sire that the existing should be brought speedy
and an honorable termination any other gentleman in the
House elsewhere. He had voted for all the asked
by the Executive and which he believed proper and
cesary accomplish that and if he could believe that
the provision proposed be inserted in the Senate
bill so, he would give his prompt and cordial support
While he believed the have been commenced by
usurpaon of power and manifest and open breach of the
Mr.. BRINKERHOFF here asked the floor for moment
He told by his friends that he had left the impression
Mr. Polk intended to candidate for second presden
tial term
Voices i" Certainly you did don't claw out of."l
Mr.. GENTRY. That sufficiently obvious before.
Mr.. BRlNkERHOFF said when he spoke of two of our
generals the Presidents rivals, he merely desig
nate them as belonging to a rival party.
Voices: g All, indeed ha ha We understand ~
Mr. GENTRY resumed. While he thought the war had
been commenced in unconstitutional MANNER STILL being
the war, he could how get of it
without fighting ourselves out OF it. manfully and bavey.
And therefore, looking those who had the ultimate author
y to redress all the evils of present condition, he had
voted all those supplies which necessary the
war with vigor But he did not think the pro-
posed be all necessary proper that end The House
had again and again decided that necessary Why
the effort thus persevered in The scheme had
been voted out of the House sub sto without deeng
worthy Of word of discussion remark. Since then
what lights had broken the minds of these gen.
tlemen What extraordinary had taken place
and revoutionze their ideas He did pretend
10 tell lie had, indeed his the subject He
thought he understood The true and motives which
caused il to be thus urged upon the House. He understood
as had been once minated here, that the not
prosecuted much against Mexico against political rivals
and opponents and that victory home would be quite
dear the heart Of the PRESIDENT however glorious
ths fields of Mexico.
He knew that he had right ask questions here touch
ing matters which had occurred elsewhere than this floor
but he should like to inquire whether certain gentlemen had
gone the President and the Secretary of War; and
directly protested against the appointment of Gen. Scott the
command Of the army the ground that if he should have
the opportunity of adding to the laures which already enc
ced his brow by winning triumphs in the present war;
his popularity would be such render him nvncibe
candidate for the Presidency II he had right put
the question: and gentlemen here compelled to answer he
believed there many that hall who could deny it.
This was, in fact political throughout They had
icpated short, easy, brilliant campaign They expected
that Mexico after a feeble resistance, would be brought
terms, and that this Democratic Polk Administration would
stand forever glorious the pages OF American history for
having added territories the of the Republic.
Confident of conquest they had shaped all their
in such way TO drive the Wings into opposition
the war; preeng their opposition their cooperation OF
this the preamble TO the bill proof and illustration
Ii had happened that General Scott without any soci
aton agency OF his talked about by his friends
fl candidate for the Presidency and therefore il would
do to let him go and reap this easy field Of glory he
would become altogether too popular rival" But old
lack Taylor hadpo that me been thought by body
future President and he not dangerous They knew
him TO be rough and ready fighter accustomed give and
take hard knocks; be would their purpose exactly
He accordingly, bat after he had the victories
Pso Alto and Resaca de la Palma they would gladly have
superseded him too, but then late and he be
vetted But he too, was now getting dangerous they
left him prosecute the without sustaining him with the
proper means Of Transporting his and munitions Had
the been allowed him which amply pro-
vded for the gallant corps who marched the country
where they met enemy and took Of Cali
lorna, with how much ygor and rapdy might the
have been conducted. But he was left without means OF
transportation, until the country growing camorous the
delay Aength, encountering all difficulties and surmount-
them with energy surpassed, he achieved the
immortal victory Of Monterey.
From that moment he became formidable as a rival
and Mr. o. had sometimes pictured TO himself the religious
exercises OF the President and Of his friends Of the Demo
cratic party during this state Of things. There had
from time to hne limitations been given, various forms
sometimes by little paragraphs which made their appearance
In The Democratic papers, nlimang that Mr.. Polk
markaby pou and If so, be Of often pray
Well, Mr. u bad imagined himself pious President
engaged ~ his devoons and havng by his render
ed inevitably he had anced he could hear him praying
Good Lord let Taylor be victorious and them oh Lord
take him 10 myself speedily" laugh Well he might
for he had his fear lest much military glory might
make him as troublesome customer Scott However,
he could not get the necessity Of giving him the com
mand after the glorious victories he had which
had attracted him the admiration not only Of the whole
country, but Of foreign nations The American people were
beginning to point TO him the who bad added lustre
to our arms, and upheld the glory OF the American
From that he became mark for the envy AMI ma
ciOus hate of The Administration and Of lis supporters and
mnlons IN and out Of Congress. What he done
Whereto would this thing grow Forthwith General Scott,
who had before been put aside with looks Of collues and