Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-01-07
The last Tlcssngc.

The last Message.
We laid before readers yesterday the Message OF thu
President proposing the addition OF regiments tn,
regular army. and asking provision be by Law
for the appointment Of Lieutenant Gcneral--we beg par
don, he esehows that tflc-of GENERAL OFFICER e
take command OF oil military forces in the field"
The proposition 10 augment the regular army is think
judeiOus Indeed it seriously be npprehendeC
that the War, which authors naueed themselves would
be closed in blaze of glory, by six months campaign
will be indefinitely pro;raced In that event. it, instead
OF concentrating forces upon vital assalabe point
we continue, have heretofore done, divide and
scatter them over immense area, extending from the
Gulf to California in direction and the remote in
land department of New Mexico anoiher-asif the OBJ
Jec were less conquer pes than enlarge BY
quest the territorial limits Of the Unon-no en but fifty
regiments will be scarcely adequate successfully carry
out the Nupoeon-ko conceptions OF grasping Exccu-
tive. But, while in favor of increasing the rank
and lille OF the regular army any number which may be
deemed necessary the our arms and
TO ensure speedy peace the OF which we cannot
anticipate without vigorous and triumphant prosecu-
ton Of the War; we hope that Congress will regu-
late the appointment OF the O6eers deprive the Exc
cutve Of the almost unlimited discretion proposed
be conferred upon him by the bill under discussion
in the House Of Representatives. One the seri-
ousy TO be deprecated evils Of is the enlargement
OF Executive power and the abuses authority to which
It leads, and which, in the estimation Of many,
fiOHs-so that he who cicse the action OF
the President, absolutely renders himself amenabe the
suspicion, and unrequeny subjects himself the I'M
pu'non Of deficiency of patriotism, and of giving
aid and comfort 10 the enemy" The Roman maxim, ap.
pcabe to despoJism, but wholly unsuited a consu-
Iona form OF government, that amid the din Of the
IaoE silent, amplhed that the Constitution
self in danger Of becoming dead letter. Indeed, it
has been boldly proclaimed already that the Constitution
4. ,t,, VI l.
unfortunately, in which there much truth OF au.
dacy. Though the has been uuconstulonally com.
enced by the President, however and in its progress has
been characterized by marked nompt for the inhbi-
tory clauses OF the Constitution be hoped that Con-
will now put u hook in the mouth OF Levathan
not only boy eonhning him rigid conformity It's re-
qurcmens but also by curtalng far Imay be done
silently with the efficiency OF tho service the INAENsE
PATRONAGE which the appointment OF addi-
Iiona officers will confer upon the Executive. The row
or Il one ofequa decacy and danger aud have every
reason judging from OF the appointments heretofore
made, appTehend, IL be conferred upon President
that military qualifications will be overlooked and the
good Of the country sacrificed paluy party consdera-
lions. While therefore, hope that Congress will not
refuse 10 authorize suitable Of the It gnIar army
or, they think It advisable, authorize the enlist
Of adequate number of volunteers so changing
the mode OF calling them into service remove the
Obstacles which have heretofore prevented prompt
pance with the acquisitions OF the Government, We deem
1t not less important that they should offering the new
leves, leave little possible the discretion OF the
Executive.
To the second suggestion OF the President recommend.
ing the appointment Of General Officer" to take the
communicated Of military forces we are intieriby
opposed aud hope tha, 1t vail be promptly rejected
The President, in making this recommendation presents
solitary show necessity OF even It's pro.
ptety 1t true, he says in general terms it - be-
heved," 10y whom, except by himself and the clique by
which the proposition s favored that efficient or
ganizaOn Of the army" requires the appointment Of this
General Ofcsr" j. Gen Scott Whose military ge-
mus and personal vhiOr been often aested com
peient 20 the duties Of the chcf command Has no,
Gsn Taylor, by series Of splendid victories achieved
under elrcumstances OF the appalling difficulty in
the face Of armies thrice numerous a. his own ana
sheltered behind ramplrts OF stone brstnz with cannon
himself the meanwhile destitute Of much OF the raat,riel
essential the efficiency oi invading army triumph
anty yindlcated hs capacity any emergency likely
to arse Is not General Worth whose daring and bril-
liant conduct al Monterey proves his skill aud
adequate 10 the post, should Scott and TAYLOR
ia1 Where them we ask, the FACTS, upon which
the President bases the expression belief that the
ecen, organization Of the army requires the appointment
oi General Officer, by whom these ,ricd and gallant
TO be supersededwao perhaps under garp
sense Oi the indgny implied nay omphaucaiy expressed
by such appointment might feel themselves under the
imperative necessity OF throwing up their comm ssions
and Of retiring from service, in which, after they have
grown grey they be suddenly outranked by some
court iavoriie, who has