The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-02-16

the inhabitants! zen. Taylor told them
that he had a regard for the safety OF the
women and children, who would inevita-
bly, have been sacrificed. Looking back
upon these things, he honored Gen. Tay-
lor as much for the terms of the capitula-
ton as for the bravery he had displayed
in battle. He gloried that an American
general had shown himself thus humane.
If they adopted such a proviso, what
would be its moral effect upon the army!
The soldiers would understand from 1t
that humanity was not considered by
Congress to be a virtue; and when the
next battle was fought-when the next
town was taken-thev would suppose
that they were expected to come red with
the slaughter of the innocent lives within
that town; that they were to sack, and
and in blood. lie was not willing TO
teach them any such lesson. lie would
have no hand in it; and he repeated, that
he honored the gallant general as much
for his humanity as for his bravery.
General Taylor now stood probably in
such a position before the country as that
no such side blow could affect his repu-
tation. He had no idea that If the pro-
viso were retained in the resolution that
he would on that account stand the less
firm in the affections of the American
People. He had attained hat position
by his bravery, not merely in this battle,
but throughout the whole campaign, and
especially in those glorious engagement
at Resaca de la Palma and at Palo Alto.
He believed that no side blow like this
could do him injury. 1t would be more
likely to arouse the popular feeling in his
favor. He was now the military hero:
he was the proud soldier on whose breast
fame had placed the inscription, This is
a man worthy Of his country's highest
honor"
Mr.. BUTLER said he could not be
mistaken in thinking that a resolution of
thanks of this kind shouid not be mingled
with any foreign matter: and with this
view, he entirely concurred in the motion
that the proviso should be stricken out
A vote Of thanks should have no q%uallfi-
cations or reservation attached to it. He
agreed with the Senator from Mississippi
when he said that he had no idea OF hold
ing out with one hand a mark of sppro-
baton, grateful to the soldiers heart, and
with the other a mark Of disapprobatiOn
towards a laundering general. He did
not know that this reservation went so far
as this; but, if there were a reservation at
all, he would be compelled to vote against
the resolution. But he would go further;
when they had it in their power in some
measure by their acts TO control the future
history of the country, justice seemed to
require that they should do nothing that
would pervert the opinion of posterity;
and above all, that they should not form
or express a Judgment that would be
hereafter reversed. Now, 1t was said
that it was not intended to convey a CEN
sure upon General Taylor. But, 10 a
man of sensibiIity, though the dagger
might be wieathed with flowers, its point
would still be felt. He was not himself
prepared as one of this tribunal, to consent
to pass a judgment upon the conduct of
General Taylor at this time; neither was
he prepared to sustain the view Of those
who thought that he was censurable for
having agreed to the armistice. They
ought to come to no decision upon that
matter; it ought TO be left free and open
for future reflection, assisted by the pro-
per means of information. And, above
all, he would say, (as he should vote diff
ferenily perhaps from those around him.
in regard to Gen. Taylor, the breath Of
party should not be blown upon hisTcpu-
tation; for, like some of the inlammable
gases, it would but make the flame burn
with the greater brilliancy.
Mr.. BAGBY remarked that he should
not have said a word on this subject, but,
inasmuch as the capitulation at Monterey
had been made the subject Of debate, and
inasmuch as he understood that this reso-
luton of thanks embraced a reservation
in regard to that subject, he wished TO
state, once for all, that from all he had
seen and heard in relation TO it, he disap-
proved, out and out, Of the terms of thai
capitulatio:. He disapproved of il, not
only because he believed it improper, in
so far as related to the army and the
Government of the United States, but he
dl%sapprovcd Of il more strongly in view
of that which an honorable Senator or
the other side seemed to value so highly;
he meant the evidence, as that honorable
Senator ~contended, which General TayIoI
had given Of his great humanity. HI
differed with tina. honorable Senator 1,
ToTo. Ii the battle of Monterey hat
, been the last battle TO be fought IN Mexico
I the views Of the honorable Senator NIGH
be correct. But, as the war was not II
, be then terminated. did the Senator no
, see that further battles would grow out o.
5 that capitulationl
Al H. za- a.oahnr nacnLIarItN- IL