Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-05-08

mayor Uenerdt-to me chtef command OF the
army in the feid The result OF this examina-
ton is, am constrained 10 say, settled convic-
ton on my mind that such power has not been
conferred upon me by the existing laws q ..
al am fully sensible of the exalted patriotism
which could alone have induced you TO make
the personal sacrifices to which you would be
subjected in assuming even the chief command
Of the army in Mexico; and / duly appreciate
the reasons you have assigned, and rtich may,
fear, preUep you from accepting your appoint
meat as Major General. IT, on further reaec.
ton, such should be your decision, shall learn
it wih deep regret"
Another remarkable ebultion Of the
spleen and Jealousy Of the party towards
Gen. Taylor, is manifest in the proceedings
Of Congress respecting the vote Of thanks.
When compliment is to be paid. gener-
Gus mind performs the duty cheerlully,
promptly, and therefore gracefully. A
lame and limping vote Of thanks, if it be
not insulting, is at least disrespectful. To
damn with faint praise" has become pro-
verbal phrase. Towards rival or an op-
ponent, especially where communication is
due, and to be paid, manly and elevated
spirit measures out such communication
with hand 5udiously liberal. Not so ig-
noble jealousy, low hatred, or miserable
party fear and rancOr. There are minds
go constituted or, for the time. under the
influence of such ignobe passions. that.
when ii is absolutely necessary to praise q
rival, every word uttered is as short and
sharp as if the speaker were suffering I'M
der a violent fit of choIic. Thanks, not
only hear,less but constrained, not only in
sincere, but abomina'ed. pucker the mouth
like green persmon. This affective con-
striction of the organs Of speech fell upon
the locofoco ora ors in the House Of Rep
resentatiyes, when it was proposed to 9 i've
the thanks Of Congress TO Gen. Taylor
They lost all glibnesS Of tongue, all rotundi-
dity Of period, al! their usual graceful eXu-
berance cf tropes and figures. Their elo-
quence Was cold, their conceptions barren,
their style meagre, mealy, and "dry as
remainder biscuit The pen Of the great
master has drawn the whole picture:
Gle hath wagad
New vars against PonPeW made his will, and
TO public ear; Treai
"Spotc @an!ily Of me; when perforce he could
not
But pay me terms OF honor, cold and scky
"He vented them; mos narrow measure lent me:
when the best hint was given him, he not took
"Ot did it from his teeth" fit,
A short historical narrative will best il
Iustra,e and confirm these remarks.
The President sent his Annual Message
TO Congress on the 9Th of December. In
this message proper Justice was done the
army, as we have always said with the in
vidious and gross exception that there was
studied omission of doing honor to the
Commander, in. chief. by mentioning him by
name. But when was the army thanked
| by Congress! And who was to perform
the agreeable duty Of proposing the vote
of thanks! Usually, there are enough not
only willing, but eager, to petorm that
grateful task. 1t belongs, Of propriety, to
some leading man of the majority; some
member connected with the appropriate
! branch Of the business of the House. But
,cho, Of all the Administration members.
sprung 10 his feet ,cho rushed 10 the tri-
bune, in the name of Congress and the
country, to tender an honorable teslImo-
NAL to a skiIfui and successful General, and
a gallant and patriotic army! Those who
were loud for the war. where were they!
| The lovers of acquisition and glory, and
conquest, they who spake of visiting the
! Halls of the Montczumas. where were they
all when a distinguished victory by Wing
/ General was announced?
! A "Whig General Aye that brings on
the fit again. Thou stickest a dagger in
me. TubaI," 4 Wing General--o man al
ready dangerous ard formidable to our
party--nust we thank him! Let US thank
/ Mr.. Polk-let US thank the Secretary Of
! War-et Us thank ovrseivos-!et us thank
any body else, but let Us be in no haste to
thank Gen. Taylor"
Congress remained spechIess on the sub
iect Of vote Of thanks until the 2Gth of
/ January, Mr.. Cooke. a very respectable
/ Wing member from Tennessee, moved for
/ leave to introduce the appropriate resolu-
! tons The leave was resisted for a time,
/ By the usual resorts to side blows and eva
sons; but, finally, after an adjournment for
/ The day, leave ~as given and the resolu-
tons were introduced and read, Thereu-
Ipon Mr.. Farran. a Democratic member
| from Ohio Immediately moved 10 attach TO
the resolution. bv way of amendment, 4
declaration that "the war was commenced
and forced on us by Mexico, and was con-
linued by US in defence of the honor and
vindication Of The just rights of the Uni
ted States, assailed, as both had been, by
repeated and fragrant acts on the part Of
! Mexico, of insults, Outrages, and finally of
invasion Of one Of the States of this
Union" Any man Of proper seli-respect
would have bIushed one would think, in
proposing TO suiix such declaration as
this TO a vote of thanks. But there is rea.
co, 10 think nevertheless that il was done