The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-02-07

me, would remark in reerance to my own State. that
such course as he descrhes not adopted by the
Executive of that State and that very meritoous and
scientific gentleman OF the democratic party received an
appointment; indeed believe that all the appointments
were made irrespective OF party considerations As the
nat i s had Wig s in that State
aoI interrupted me- because in error at any time,
shall always be happy to be corrected. recollec an
the position have assumed with respect these
appointments OF the Executives OF the States had the
pleasure OF being introduced lasfsunner TO gentleman
who commanded one OF the new regiments in the regu-
lar army Colonel Wson,) and ascerained the fact that
although a man OF wealth and standing IN the commu-
ny having volunteered when the first call was made on
the country and been elected to subordinate office,
yet. contrary to general expectation he did not receive
from the State Executive the command of one of the reg
mens, and that consequence of the neglect the Pres-
dent appointed him 10 the command of of the regi
ments But regarded 1t as very strong case IN point
and had it in view when made the remark which eli
Mr. MANGUM The fact is as stated by the honora
BILE senator Cox Wilson was afterwards appointed by
the Executive here and two strong letters from the
wing senators OF this body were written, recommending
him to the appointment. That was the spirit which,
so far know, characterized the public authorities
Mr.. DOWNS. have no knowledge of the proceed
ings in North Carolina, except in this instance which,
confess, struck me of those afoding jusfca-
ton OF the course of the President did not however.
intend to refer TO particular but to speak generally
of the course which had been taken in making the ap
pointments DO not pretend to go into all the IN
the general result and believe that upon investigation
II will be found that large portion of the appointments
to the President in their political views This sir,
believe has been the liberal course OF the Executive
on this subject. $40. -
Before quit this part of the subject there is one other
reason which will state why prefer regular forces TO
volunteers. Their duties are very much the and
as the war conducted their period of service will be
of this description of force is very material.
The volunteer officers holding their commissions
h limited ss ss asa 0
they perform the same duties as are performed blythe
officers of the regular army, and achieve gallant ex
PLOTS, yet they receive advancement Those who
begin captains will be captains still and those who
command as lieutenants, will be lieuenants still.
There was remark made by the honorable senator
from South Carolina who last addressed the Senate upon
this subject and who offered amendment to this bill
IN which cannot concur. seemed to be based upon
the idea that the engagement OF volunteers the enlist
ment OF regular troops could not be accomplished He
says
''Why is that the Executive, informed,
not raise the number Of troops which by law he has au
Menicol Why sits Does i arise from poPulaE aversion
for the defence -four SOIL do you believe thai five
ZINES ,hst number could not be called me
national honor and the soil Of the republic And mus,
in the justice and propriety of
ing this war would answer for it that the President
Der Of troops which the laws of the country authorize him
Hess ' troops by the 1 mean. Which have BEEN in his
power. is think, OF the omens which wise ruler
that is committed to him." ka-e- l.t NJ
Now, do not understand the President as taking any
such ground | have never understood that there has
been single which call has been made for vol.
uneers, in which that call has not been fully and COM
pletey answered. In Kentucky Tennessee. and, in
fact in all the States the last calls were not only
spOnded to at once, but offered than could
be received
Mr. BUTLER | beg to interrupt the senator for a
~ otaf Tn
contendng-as did contend-that if the; additional
troops called for necessary they could be supplied
in the manner proposed by my amendment to the bill
asked the question, why not raise them in this way
One answer was, that the men would prefer entering
new organization. But my proposition, was, that II
additional troops needed, they could be added to
the old regiments. instead Of mourning the expense of
Mr. DOWNS. do not see in the remarks of the
forces On the contrary, the ten regiments authorized
by the bill of last session filled up with extraordi
rapidly Dc no; know ,S that there is any
every newspaper that was received from New Orleans
announced The arrival Of fresh troops. to fill up the
duced companies f-ta
But, while upon this subject, permit me to make an
other remark additional reason for the passage of
this bill. There is no doubt that recruiting in the new
regiments will be rapid than in the old regiments
And the reason is that when you appoint officers from
civil life they go into the country where they known
and consequently, the men the more readily undertake to
serve under them. u e~.a 8s.r
l do not know certainly how many of our troops in
Mexico lost in BATTLE and by disease respectively
but suppose at least many were lost by the last
by the first Many, at any rate, fell by disease and in
consequence of the late period in which they arrived at
Vera Cruz
If we then pass this bill at once we can send them off
at an early PERIOD to the diseases OF the eli
mate which have been heretofore encountered But if
continue to debate the bill ndefntelyif we go talk
ing without actingwe shall not only do as was done
last session. but the evil will be much greater than last
year, because this is very long session, and may be
tended indefinitely to the midst of summer, whereas last
year the delay could not extend beyond the 4th of
March IT for of this kind, stated by the
that thought it would be far preferable pass this bill
without any unnecessary delay.
AS the remarks which shall make are in great de-
gree in answer to arguments which have been made in
opposition to the bill must say that should not have
spoken at ALL if it had not been for those arguments,
Inow wish to ADVERT another of the positions assumed
by the honorable senator from South Carolina and lest
should be mistaken will quote the language of the
gentleman:
any proposition of peace thai government. would insist,
in the first instance i'm all negotiations that
to the Rio Grande bound, under the solemn
of pledges. protect the rights of Texas But then the
would you establish any Other line for separating the
tories of the United States those of Mexico Will
you fall back upon any line which separates Oregon from
Mexico | think not, sir. But, by way Of making it
desire terminate this would not hesitate If il
be done morrow, send the lustrious embassy
Mexico, and propose her of peace upon this
finafupi with the right, however to demand from her
to say what line she should by way Of compromising
for the claims have against her and shoud think
il no degradation"
Now, have very great objection to the first propo.
ston, considered in this extract object totally and