The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-29
CONGRESSIONAL.
REMARKS OF MIR. HARmANsoN,
OF LOUISIANA

|
| REMARKS OF MIR. HARmANsON
I LOUISIANA.
Ia The House Of Representatives., January 81, ls47-On
the Dii increasing the pay and granting bountes TO the
| volunteers. I
Mr. CHAIRMAN AS the hour that closes this debate il
near its Close will not dean the committee but for
few moments, and give other gentlemen an opportunity
to be heard, as see many DESTROYS to get the floor The
bill, SIR ono $500 reported by the Military COMMITTEES
giving increased pay and bounty of 100 of land
the volunteers, which referred to special committee
has been mutlated by that committee as hardly to be
recognised by friends IT has stricken out the
section granting bountes of land to the six months
volunteers who served three months and makes no
provision whatever for those of the six months voun
teers who died in the service What could have induced
the committee TO have come, honestly think, to
unjust conclusion, am at loss 10 divine; and rise
now, sir to protest against this nydious distinction be-
,,vean sA and twelve months volunteers If services
ciais re In be measured by pecunary sacrifices who
ask hes suffered more than LOUISIANA volunteers
nloncatS >surning 10 relieve LITTLE amy from
dngtts Es threatened it. which admitted OF no hesa-
ton or de and did they not respond to the call without
calculating the cost Have any volunteers who have en-
tered the service done more None, sir, none II their
claims to be measured by suffering and exposure,
who, ! ask, have greater' Did they not rush to the
standard of their country with alacrity hitherto unex
amped at the most deadly season OF the year. with the
valley OF the Rio Grande where they assembled
tnued deuge with scarcely foot of dry land to rest on
and without tents to shelter them from burning mldsum
mer sun, or the inclemency of the weather!
II II is TO be measured BY PATRIOTISM who ask would
have presumption enough to claim precedence over
! Them
| They have suffered Mr. Chairman, deeply suffered
every modification that brave could, at being dis
charged at the end of three months they desired to
their term and would have enlisted Tor twelve
months. if the option had been allowed them, as evil
denced by General Taylors letter of the LIST July.
We'll do know the anxiety and regret OF the President
aud Secretary of War, at being compelled by duty to l
their 70 three months The law imperative
they had alternative They, however, authorized Gen
Taylor 10 accept them for twelve months; he having
more troops than he desired thought il his duty to dis
charge them They discharged, and returned to
New Orleans with heavy hearts; and hundreds of them
had TO depend their friends liberal public for the
were the notifications and hardshps these brave men had
to undergo STILL sir, il scents that their sacrifcestheir
suerngstheir patriotism and deep modification, are to
| be valued as nothing
This bill proposes to increase the pay to two dollars
per month, which would amount to six dollars. Is pre-
sumed that these volunteers will receive this pay They
ore scattered from end of the State to the other Is il
intended that the paymaser will go to each mans home to
pay him. it expected they are to to the CITY, at the
cost Of ten twenty dollars To collect this six doars II
must be clear to every mind that one ou Oh ten will moi
receive dollar Give them the land give them home
they will be proud of, and let them teach their children
that their home was given them BY grateful country
for thef devotion to her honor and glory.
Let us examine into the circumstances under which
these volunteers called out. Gen. Taylor was di-
reced by the President if necessity required to call on
minent peril He called on the executive OF Louisiana
for troops He responded as became Louisianan The
legislature session, but had adjourned for the day
But no sooner did the startling intelligence of the danger
that threatened army reach their ears. than they rush
ed TO the capitol.
The Senate had scarcely quorum even: they placed
by reclamation the entire and credit of the State
at the disposition of the governor, to hasten on ou
citizen soidyto succor brave little army avengt
their fall The bill was sent to the House, who true
to their constituents and country, with shout of accla
nation, assented to the patriotic work of the Senate On
governor issued his proclamation, and sent it on the
wings OF the wind to every quarter of the State, stirring
up the hearts Of every freeman within its borders
/ Poughs, workshops, and other ayocations aban
doned warning, and the shout was to the
rescue Soon our city military camp. Out OF
voting population of $4,000, eight nine Thousand ct
zen soldiers presented themselves ready to uphold the
honor and glory of our common country. And how,
ask are these brave to be requited' Would you now
add insult 10 injury Is this your sense OF JUSTICE l
of these men to be stgmatized insignificant and un
worthy the gratitude and appreciation OF this House' No
sir appeal from the decision of this special committee
to the committee of the House. under the full conviction
that we will be saved from this outrage.