The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-03
THE UNION.

I
man there say that he ought to have paroled the
Mexican soldiers under such circumstances lie would
not poiraet the debate the question, but he earnestly
hoped that they would be able 10 vote both sides of
the chamber without reference to party interests Their
army was made up of all parties and the only question
with them was who was an American Could they not
then free themselves from all the shackes OF party feeling
when the question upon the passage oil resolution
of thanks TO those brave and gallant officers
Mr.: WEBSTER then and said: shall say but
very lew words But do exceedingly regret that when
we about to render tribute of respect military
man abroad, anything should occur anything be pro-
posed be mixed with that which should break the entire
unanlnly of Congress To be valuable, this tribute OF
respect must be unanimous 1t must appear TO flow from
general sense OF what is due to the occasion and
what Is due to the officer Always, far as know,
and as remember the history OF this government, the
thanks OF Congress have been rendered when they have
been rendered at ALL to military by distinct propo
sitons, free and clear from all other considerations
whatever The propriety, the graceuiness belonging
to the occasion require that il should be so. Now
have in my hand the resolution which passed
this body last year. that the thanks OF Con-
gress are due and hereby rendered Major Gen
era Zachary Taylor, commanding the army of
patton, and his officers and men, for the fortitude skill
enterprise ana courage which have distinguished the
late brilliant operations the RIO Grande" should
propose TO take that resolution in It's words and
adopt il amendment to that before the Senate and
10 pass and make the real substantial tribute of re-
spect to General Taylor and the army. But have only
further TO say that vote for resolution in the
present state OF things which has sting upon Gen.
aylors conduct in any respect, which leaves any
doubt or hesitation. wish 10 leave out every subject
about which difference of opinion doubt hesitation
arise; and the other hand really do suppose
that gentlemen could have contemplated the tender OF the
thanks of Congress 10 General Taylor in manner to
be acceptable to him, that is in manner expressive of
the unanimous consent OF Congress, with such provi-
sions, which inserted by way of preamble recital
dissertation the Mexican war, in this resolution.
Now, sir shall vote for nothing that recites or discuss
es the merits OF the Mexican General Taylor
be under no mistake about that; withhold my vote
from the resolution III the present shape most assedy
not an oiicer-not soldier who read--wi fail to
nm fhn And ,thnr IRA. raahnn To do
an act of generous character-where about 10
unite in grateful homage TO bravery and valoris it gen.
erous-s IT manly TO vote exceptions by way OF pregm-
bic and reclta and screw out OF gentlemen opinions
which they do not perhaps enertanand if they did, do
not think this at all proper occasion on which to ex
act with the GberaIy and generosity that become
u.s. Why should we not give to this brave general and
brave army the thanks due them in the ordinary fash
ION in which the thanks of Congress expressed and
rendered on all occasionsi Why should we put anything
IN 1t that might IN any degree produce reluctance in any
one who is TO vote for it, any degree lessen the
sense of qualification with which those intended to be
honored shall receive and read il am for a clear I'M
embarrassed vote of thanks such honorable for
Congress to give and honorable for the army to receive
and II cannot get chance TO vote for that shall vote
against any such resolution as that which is before
the Senate.
Mr. CALHOUN then said shall vote for striking out
the proviso and shall briefly state my grounds for doing
so. shall do so on the ground stated by my honorable
colleague; and for the additional that consider
that vote OF thanks accompanied BY the slightest CEN
vote TO strike II out, because there is most papable
contradiction between its terms and the vote of medals to
the sumo officer and his army Il the capulaton
part OF the battle then the gentlemen who entertain that
OPINION should not vote for the medal at all If the ca
pulation was not part OF the battle, why should that
which is perfectly irrelevant be included in this resou
ton The naked question is ths-turn and twist it as
you peasethe naked question is this Is the battle of
Monterey such an one as deserves thanks and medals
II It be, grant themgrant them unanimously, without
conditions; and if il be not, withhold both.
Mr. BAGBi remarked that the medal was voted for
that OF which all approved he called to vote
medal for the capituation he should against 1t
He was not willing to vote either thanks medal for
that of which he could not approve Ii the view of the
senator from South Carolina correct that the capt
tulaton was part OF the battle OF Monterey, he would
vote against the whole Of it. But he understood the ca
pulaon to be entirely distinct; and he supposed that
they Were called on 10 reward General Taylor for his
conduct, so far rs they approved of it.
MIR. CALHOUN then remarked that the senator from
Alabama had mistaken his (Mr Cs) position, which he
(Alr Cd then explained as given above.
Mr.. WEBSTER then said that, he supposed in one
point OF view the arrangements OF the battle might be
considered as part of the military conduct of the com
mander-lnchief. But it closely connected with
ieats OF arms, or at least not entirely connected with
ieals OF arms performed on that occason and he (Mr W)
really supposed that on question of that nature the
commander ln-chie was entitled TO the judgment OF
court OF inquiry acour martial before any one would
presume-at least before such himself--should
pass Judgment upon that officer He r W) expressed
could give vote OF thanks for the military operations in
a general, and handsome, and honorable manner and
leave the resi- Tor future consideration II there should be
any propety III giving any consideration before tri
buna or elsewhere He concluded by stating that he
would move to amend the resolution by substituting for |
II the resolution passed at last session
The question then taken upon agreeing to the |
amendment proposed by Mr.. SPEfGIlT, to strike out
the poviso and it determined in the Affirmative as
follows:
YEAS-Msssrs. Archer Badger, Benton, Berren, Butler
Calhoun Chalmers, Ciey Thomas Clayton, John NJ Clay
ton, Corwn, Crttcnden, Davis Dayton, Evans. Fairfield
Greene, Houston, Huntington, Janagn Johnson of Mary
land, Johnson OF Louisiana Mangum, Miller, Moreleaa,
and Woodbridge-33.
NAYS-Messrs. Allen Ashley. Atchison, Atlerion Bag
by, Brccse, Bright, Cass Dix. flanagan, Niles, Sewer
Sturgeon, Turney, and fuiee-l5.
Mr.. WEBSTER then moved further to amend the re-
solution by striking all after "Rcsoued" &C., and
inserting 'tha the thanks of Congress are due and are
hereby rendered 10 Major General Zachary Taylor, his
officers, and men, for the fortitude Skill enterprise and
courage, which distinguished the late brilliant military
operations at Monterey"
Upon the question of agreeing to this amendment, the
yeas and nays ordered, and it was decided in the
affirmative, as follows:
YEAS--Messrs. Archer Badger, Berrien, Butler, Cal
houn, Cley Thomas Clayton, John NJ. Clayton, Corwin,
Jarnagn, Johnson of Maryland, Johnson of Louisiana,
Mangum, Miller, Morehead, Pearce, Simmons, Upham
Webster and Woodbridge-8.
NAYS-Niessrs. Alien, Ashley Achson, Aiherton, Bag
by, Benton Beese, Bright, Cass, Chalmers, Dix, Fairfield
flanagan, Houston Niles Rusk, Sewer, Soule, SJ,eigt,
Sturgeon, Turney, Westcot, and Yulee-23.
No further amendment being offered the Joint resolu-
ton reported TO the Senate, and, the amendments
for third reading, and was read third time by uani-
consent
The question being the passage of the BILL the yeas
and nays were ordered, and il unanimously passed
follows:
YEAS-Messrs. AIen Archer Athcron Badger Ben
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