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

Iayor) We're candidates for the pesidencyMr Folks RI
Walls and political opponents his rivals in aspiring for the
presidency And the gentleman thought there ought to be a
more confidential intercourse between the COMMANDMENTS
chief in Washington and commander-in-chief in Mexico
and he had dared to follow this argument with the gross
and foul ntmaon that these generals being the Presidents
adversares and rivals would endeavor to make the they
conducted unsuccessful that thereby they might render the
i President odious.
Here the time allotted to Mr.. G.. expired, to his great
prise and apparent discomfort.
II Mr. SIMS Of South Carolina wished reply an inter
rogatoy which had been put him by Mr. DAVIS the
close OF that gentemans argument, from the constitution
The argument Of the gentleman he understood had been
intended prove that the President being the commande-
chief, simply military officer, and that it the
power of Congress nterpose commanding general
him and the other major generals.
Mr. DAVIS here explained stating that the brief time al
oed TO him had not permitted him togo into the conclusions
which he had puposed draw from the premises he had laid
down but Gf the Reporter correctly understood him) he
said that he had intended to show that Congress had
stuona power the Office proposed by the amend
and second that the President had right to auho
rze his officers TO discharge cv functions and up civil
government in conquered territory.
Mr. SIMS said that, he understood the gentleman he
commended that Congress had right interfere in the conduct
OF military campaign and enjoyed just much power in
that respect at this moment the old Congress had done
under the confederation wilder political heresy had
been preached.
Mr.. S. then to argue from the constitution that,
though Congress might declare and raise fleets and
miles, it had power at all to conduct warhat being the
function of the commander-in-chief alone.
As to the power of the President establish civil govern
ments in territories seized and held by military occupation,
Mr. s. said he had previous OCCASION Proved from the
best writers the law Of nations that this attribute
the military power, and from the fact of military
| occupation.
Mr. $. referred the ed article of war; which, as
ne believed the President the power which this amend
ment confer him the construction of
the rule held to be doubtful deemed best confer
the power by express legislation He dwelt the great
convenience Of having the commander chief tied down by
the priority OF commission, and insisted that that restriction
productive of eaoses and heartburnngs than any
thing else in the service In illustration Of this he referred
The recent Of Col Harvey, in which he seemed
think that injustice had been done to that officer.
But this amendment would at all difficulties
spinging from military etiquette, and would do much
strengthen the Presdentsa in prosecuting the
Mr.. S. dscaimed all ntimation that either Scott Fay-
o of their political relations to the President
would desire the campaign TO fail. He had idea that
either OF them was wanting in patriotism but he advered
to the fact that the North Carolina volunteers had refused
march under officers who avowed the opinion that the
unjust Such conviction untitled any from prose-
cutting the with that ardor and anacsm of bravery which
ensured all efforts for success.
On the subject of harmony political views and confden
a intercourse between the President and his subodnates
this was supposed necessary, at least highly desirable in
of civil offices, why it equally and
So in matters of military service
Mr.. TREDWAY next obtained the floor, and returned
the chairman his thanks for according him privilege which
he had before been able Obtain though speak
that hall was his undoubted right.
He expressed surprise and regret at the existence Of
tisan warfare that floor in regard waged against
the common enemy.
He then discussion on the amendment con-
tending that the President held responsible for the
management of the and was from his position and the
peculiar information he thereby obtained, better qualified to
judge of the sultabeness Of particular officers fill the
mands IN the army, he ought TO be clothed with the power
now proposed to be conferred upon him.
Mr. L. denied that the project of lieutenant general had
been considered and rejected by the House. He then
a VIII 10
and insisting that had received the direct investigation
OF the House. The proposition unpopular because it
wns regarded attempt nyidonsy to supersde General
Taylor but all the uIroar which had been created in the
country that subject Of place, because Taylor had
already been superseded by the placing of Scott him
the field When he was superseded in this not
was heard from the Wing party.
Mr. T. confessed that he Of those who went 10 the
President and demonstrated against the appointment Of
to the command OF the but after Taylor had
the victories OF Palo Alto and Resaca and he was unwilling
that the command should be taken from who had display
ed such conduct and courage Had the gentleman from
nessee (M GENTRr) much power cstechse gen.
temen on their ro dire, he could nothing than this
out Of him.
As to this being attempt the part Of the Democrats
to make political capital it they but the Wings who
in want of that artclefor they had achieved signal
victory over their opponents and had carried all their ayoe
measures Neither the questions Of banks the tariff
the subeasury they in any want Of political capital
He concluded by maintaining that the arrangement propos
ed by the amendment nothing than of sheer
Mr. NEWTON of Arkansas, said he had come here pro-
Tossing personally oe Wing, but knowing the sentiments
OF his constituents and determined discharge the duty Of
representing them with the utmost fidelity He then went
to quote and to complain Of editorial article which had
recently appeared in the ntegencer the subject Of the
Wimo provso and the supporters Of the war; and also to the
speech OF MI WIsTHRor reported in the paper
the same day. From this also he read extract. II
Mr. N cid not choose to- placed before small party in
his own State recreant his duty in voting against the
Wllmo proyso. He did understand recognise be
Wing doctrine that must obtain any territory from
Mexico the result Of this He had voted against the
Wimo proyso because all his constituents desired war
be conducted that it should be terminated Speedily and
IN manner honorable TO the United States As the poll
teal contest here about IL though he had many things
that surprised him greatly, he knew nothing His constu-
cuts did not believe the TO be unjust they considered
their Government prosecuting and defending the rights of
American citzens-- might be against a weak Power, but
Power that had dared invade and rampe the soil of
this Union Mr. n. did not claim TO represent the Wing
party Of the United States ard if his sentinel should not
be agreeable to Of bis Wing friends though he might
it, yet he claimed the right casting his votes accord
ing to his own convictions Of duty, without subecng him
self to be censured directly indirectly by the Wing organ
here With what little mind he possessed, and with such
advantages he had enjoyed he should 10 do
public duty regardless Of the dcaton newspapers Gle
hoped these remarks would be taken down)
He went say that he represented q constituency who
were in favor of the war; and who desired see
by the most vigorous measures and who did wish TO limit
the President in its conduct where his power might prove
dangerous On this point the Wings Of Arkansas agreed with
the Democrats And here il might be proper for him TO say
he here NV