The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-15

calling attention directly to that paragraph asking
In support of the proprety Of such authority the Presi
dent gives the very best Of all possible reasons, he eff
fcient organization of the army" requires such an APP
polnment repeat this is the very strongest OF all
sons How has Congress responded The chairman of
the Committee on Military Affairs, on the next day, Gf
mistake not the date rises in his place, and without Of
lerng reason, or $50 far the record shows or the
House has any knowledge) without even considering in
committee the Presidents recommendation, submitted the
following report:
hry Affairs 70 whom was referred the communication OF
The President Of the United States among
men oil general officer TO take command OF al our mll
her consideration of so much thereof relates that sub
ject, and that it be laid upon the table"
This report concurred in by the House, and the
committee discharged Thus ended the legislation OF
Congress upon measure deemed necessary to an "eh
cient organization of the army" Does the legislation of
any previous Congress, either in peace present
many instances, in so short period of total failure OF
executive recommendations when that officer backed
by nominal majority in both houses Of Congress- and
when those recommendations, shall endeavor TO
show, are sustained by good and sufficient reasons'
think not Why is this the case now7 The trouble had
as well be told The President, with nominal majority
in the Senate and House OF Representatives, is IN
tal minority in both Congress divided into factions;
each petty asprant to honors designed him by the
people, has his faction around him.. Those factions fear
do anything lest successful rival for the presidency
should profit by it, and hence conclude to do nothing
The love of men, and Of treasury sop has usurped the
place of patriotism and in those almighty struggles for
the succession, the recommendations of the President
dsregarded, and the country left to take care of itself
Sir let not be misunderstood above all let
not be msrepresented am not of those who believe
that Congress should yield blind support to the
mendaons of the existing any other chief magistrate
of the nation Far from it. 1t is the duty of Congress crit
cay to investigate every executive measure. But do
believe and maintain, that in consideration of the supe
ro advantages of obtaining information possessed by the
President and heads OF the departments all matters
connected with their respective duties, Congress should
pay very great respect to their suggestions and unless
there be welghy reasons against 1t, adopt them That is
I,faI and forlnr IN do
side Of the hall, OF which complain. We have not dis
charged our duty to the country. We have, TO
Presidents and by doing have encouraged Ono doubt
unintentlonaly upon both sides,) Mexico to hold out
against
mir CAnRo1I, of New York, here interposed Mr.
PAYNE could not yield the foorl
Sir this war with Mexico is to be ended by no tempo
rary expedients time-serving policy 1t is to be the
work of harmonious councils and united action Let us
check internal bckeringsput forth the whole pow
of the state, backed by the moral influence of the
onet Mexico perceive that she has no hope OF
only reliance is in the ultima ratio of naonsand it will
not be ninety days before she will submit propositions OF
peace, acceptable to both nations, and compromising the
honor of neither.
Here Mr. PAYNE reviewed the conduc' of General
Scott and his celebrated correspondence with the Sec
a fire in his rear" contended that General Scott had
proved himself politician avowedy looking towards
the Presidency; and maintained that party aspirants to
the Presidency not qualified to command the army
He then said that General Scott, the Oldest Major
General in the army, had command; and that the
President could not supersede him, without violation OF
those rules of military etiquette which he deemed necessary
TO preservation of that spirit of esprit du corps with
out which the tone and sentiment OF the army would be
What then can be done! He but one course, and
that was for Congress to create an Office in the army
done, the President will find the to suit the place,
General Scott will have of complaint it should
be filled by citizen from private life.
Moreover 1t could scarcely be supposed that either OF
IN the Skltu a
tors Some man is required at the head Of our army in
Mexico who combnes1he experience OF the civilian
and diplomatst with those OF the soldier and general
some who like Napoleon, would contempt ate defeat
with the composure of soldier before the gallows of
" s or af1e peace WIN ut. the S S OF an,
service requires; such is not the man now commanding
the army But the republic possesses such men and in
my opinion they be found, Congress does not para
yZe the action of the Executive by refusing to create
the office of lieutenant general.
Mr. PAYNE next adverted to Gen. Taylor paid be-
coming tribute TO his bravery and said he should
forget the deep excitement that pervaded this metropolis
(Which he denominated the heart of the nation) during
the interval of General Taylors departure from, and
turn to- Fort Brown. 1t fearful in the extreme. The
national pulse, from intense excitement well nigh ceased
to beat But the news OF the victory at Palo Alto at
length reached The crisis had passed pulsaton and
respiration improved and about four days afterwards the
of the glorious triumph of our at Resaca de la
Palma restored the body polite to health and strength
The blood returned to it. accustomed channels, and the
pusaons of the heart felt in the remotest eXrem
ties of the nation He should forget these things
In That all turned Ten. lie
proved himself worthy of the confidence repesed in him
and the nation feels gratefully the sPendor OF his achieve
ments.
Mr. PAYNE then adverted to letter going the rounds
of the press and attributed to the pen of General Taylor
He believed the letter forgery, gotten up by some
political ntriguer to rob the OF the
laurels won by his vaor
Here several voices exclaimed cit is genuine the let
ter is genuine"
Mr. PAYNE. do not will not believe it The letter
bears internal evidence that il is base and malignant
forgery SANDER upon General Taylor and, in order to
demonstrate the fact call the attention of the committee
to the following paragraph in said letter:
81 am decidedly opposed carrying the beyond Sal
tio in this direction which place has been entirely aban
oned by the Mexican forces, all of whom have been
cenrated San Luis Potos and shall lose time in
hostilties referred expires, which have notified the
Mexican authorities will be the the 18Th inst, by
direction of the President of the United States.
eff we Tin the language of Mr.. Polk and General
Sco) under the necessity OF 'conquering peace, and
that by taking the capital of the country must We
Cruz, take that place, and then march the city of
Mexico To do any other direction consider out OF
the question But, admitting that we conquer peace by
doing NJ the end OF the next twelve months-w
the of blood and treasure which must be expended
in doing be compensated by the same? think not
pecaly 1.-THE country subdue be given up and
Imagine there but few individuals in country who
think of annexng Mexico to the United States"
Now, sir, this letter is dated November ., 1916 at that
time General Taylor commanded the army in Mexico
and therefore must be presumed, by all the world, 10
know and understand the views OF the administration III
regard to the of prosecuting the campaign in
Mexico Whatever he might say, therefore, upon such
a subject must from necessity be regarded official
enbodyng not only his own views, but those of the ad
mnlsratlon also
Now this letter says elf we are, lin the language OF
General Scott and Mr. Polk) under the necessity