The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-02-05
WHOLE NO. 40
CONGRESS-.


Tho debate was upon Gen. Houstonss
amendments, giving the election pf fcempsny
officers 10 the companies to be commanded
By them, raising avolunsser force, &c.
Mn. HovsroN said il was was nc. bic In
tension 10 havo occupied any .considsrabis
portion efthe time ofthe Senate in remark.
ing upon,ihis bill; but entertaining ,he vews
which he did on the organization ofthe army,
ne felt II duty TO present thom. The object
Of the bill was 10 raise suitable corps Of
military troops, for The purpose Of conduct.
ing the existing war 10 an honorable conclu.
sion, if an offer Of peace was not mado By
Mexico On that subject he had entertained
but enc opipion--that peace would never bo
obtaiaed by any other means than BY maxi
ing them feel the calamities and power of
war. The corps which he proposed 10 raise
were to be regarded. not az corps ofths reg,
ular army strictly, but AZ auxiliary to the reg
ular army--not as volunteer corps, nor a.
militia, but as distinct from either To be
efficient, il seemed to him that this military
forces should feel that they were attached 10
tho federal government, and not dependent
upon the executive power Of the several
States. The regular troops being created
by the authority Of Congress, were subject
exclusively to their legislation, and under
the control Of the Executive Of the nation
The militia or volunteers were subjectto the
control Of fths federal government while 10
service, having derived the evidences Of
their authority from their States respective.
ly. An Inconvenience TO the army at the
present time, arose from the fact, that there
we're but two States which appointed their
officers in the same way. Hence, il was i'm
possible for promotions 10 take place in the
army when vacancies occurred, such a.
would be necessary 10 preserve their organ
izaton. The Presiden, had no power 10
direct their organization as they dcriyediheif
commissions originally from the several
States. The executives Of the several
States, however, could not complete tho or
ganization when vacancies occurred; and fhs
only way left would be, as in Texas now, for
each regiment or company TO elect their own
officers, or 10 give the command to some fons
by common consent. Therefore. il This mil.
lary force was to be created by Congress.
and its officers appointed by the President,
obvious difficulties would ensue. The force
proposed would in fac, be regular force.---
But the nero name Of fregulars did not con-
fer efficiency of itself or subordination
These things were more dependant upon
the term Of service which the troops had 10
serve. II, then, il was their-objeci to raiss
an efficient force. He contendsd that tho
one proposed by his own amendment would
be not only an efficient one. bu. the most ef.
6cient which had ever been seen on the facs
OF the globe. l, differed from y regular
force in this respect; il was not 10 be com.
posed ofmen picked up in different paris Of
The conntry-of different languaees--diffar-
eat habits-and stimulated BY necessity; but
ofmen operated upon by patriotism and slim
ulated by chivalry--men who wcald be
prompted to noble deeds by the thought of
asms--yo young men who would bo srged on
by self.respect and pride tc-ihe attainment
of every military requirement. What o5iee-
tons were there TO such force! This
amendment would obyiaie all the difficulties
in the original bill. BY this amendment
company officers were to be elected by the
mon who had associated themselves toaeth-
or; aud when the various companies were
mustered at the place ofrendezvous. the field
officers were TO be elected As soon as this
organization was completed, the President
was authorized 10 commission their rsspect-
live officers. Vacancies could afterwards be
filled according 10 the respective grades Of
the officers, SO that no arrangement would ?
take place in the organization. Promotions
from The ranks o, the private soldier would
lead TO commendable zeal on their part COR
honorable distinction, which would not bo
the case i the appointments were dependant
upon Congress. This inducement 10 vaIor
was moi held out to the regular force, as was
shown by the fact, that but two promotions,
as be had been informed, had taken plscs
since the late brilliant victories from The
ranks Of some six thousand men. Cadets
were pacedin command 10 iill the vacaneies.
aud thus the zeal Of the private for destiac.
ton abaled Further, having no equitable
rule for making promotions, the deparat.
ment would be embarrassed in discrnmins-
ting between the numerous candidates for
appointment as officers. There weie various
other insuperahle objections ia his mind te
the original bill. If the Executive was re-
quired TO make the appointments, washing.
ton would be filed with spplicants--- ever
public and private house gorged with them,
and the President and bis Secretary would
be oyerrun with letters. They would have
no time 10 decide between the morris Of vs-
rieus applicants. The only proper way vac
to simplify she organization which had IL
ready taken place in the manner which Is
Ind proposed. This would give IN iaelan-
tanoous stimulus 10 The soldiers Who hsd