The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-11

ants; both of which aainmens professional. and, in
fact may be called scientific They should be examined
as to these and other qualifications, BY board OF pur
sers before they selected No can then become
purser assistant purser, unless he possesses at
least the qualifications have alluded TO. The effect OF
similar rule TO surgeons In the navy and as 10 sur
geons IN the army, and cadets at West Point and
midshipnen seeking promotion, has been salutary
nope ms amendment will be adopted before the bill IS
Mr. YULEE: hope that my colleague will consent
70 withdraw this amendment else that it will be voted
GOWN DO not mink at all important that the bill should
De mus amended and trust, upon reconsideration my
colleague will Withdraw it. Sir. it may be very proper
mat the surgeons and assistant surgeons of the army and
navy should be subjected to examination as to their
professional and scientific attachments, nasnuch per
haps 1t may not be in the power OF the President without
the and OF board OF gentlemen schooled the profess
to decide upon their qualifications but respect
purses, sir there is necessity for any other quica
ton than the ordinary OF being good accountant,
and The higher and more important qualification OF in
egny which the board cannot decide, but which very
properly committed the President and the Senate
decide My colleague mistaken in regard to the duties
OF these purses, They do not make purchases; they
simply distribute the articles purchased, disburse the
money that is placed in their custody for the payment Of
the officers and men of the navy That is ALL the high
est and most important qualification is integrity do
not conceive that IS at all necessary that the bill shout
be amended as proposed by my colleague, and trust he
will withdraw his motion.
The question being taken agreeing TO the amend
ment, it was decided in the negative
No further amendment being made, the bill was report
ed the Senate and the amendment makng the assist
ant pursers commissioned, instead OF warrant ofhcers)
The said bill was read third time by unanimous con-
sent, and passed
The Senate proceeded to the orders of the day. being
.. REGIMENT BILL
The Senate was then addressed as follows By
Mr. JOHNSON My purpose, Mr. President, in now
addressing the Senate 10 give my opinion upon certain
points connected with the present war, which il seems
be conceded be properly discussed upon the present
bill They these:
First. Is The Just and honorable one, is it I'M
just and dishonorabe a
Second Has il been heretofore properly prosecuted
Third How should it hereafter be prosecuted
Fourth. What end, consistently with the good name of
the nation, should be attained by it
Mr. President upon each of these propositions pro-
pose to present my views with the irankness and free
dom which become senator, and, at the same time,
with the Difference which sincerely feel for the opinions
OF those upon both sides of the chamber with whom
shall be found to differ.
any time, to anything personal to myself; and il is espe
caIly to do so in the presence in which stand But
there may be circumstances which render it duty. |
feel myself in that condition.; and therefore ask the
kind indulgence OF yourself and the Senate to say word
or two of per onal character.
To those who know me, Mr. President it is, am sure,
unnecessary disclam that am acuated on this oc-
cason, neither in what shall say do, by any other
motive than the single motive of duty to my country.
If could be mad enough TO desire any other political
post of honor than the which now hold Sufficient
one would think, satisfy the cravings Of any ambition
hope know myself well enough to be able 10 say with
truth that should seorn to obtain il by pandering 10
o ,ular passion official power But, sir, proud
state that have such dese that there is no Office
in the gift of the present Executive which would ac
would take In the school of political ethics in which
have been taught, have imbibed, my first and last
lesson the duty to do what you believe TO be right and
confidently abide the result. Be it the appreciation of
your fellow men not you have then the appreciation
of your conscience, transcending infinitely
scendng IN true value-any reward that can flow from
human source.
AS popularity, sir estimate it as nothing if it is
sough, after Its real worth is, when it follows good
ends, accomplished by good means 1t becomes disgrace
would not any political opinion which did not
sincerely entertain, conceal one which did en-
er,an, to win any honor which my counrymen could
bestow. Honor won, if was capable of winning
it, would be to me but hourly abasement.
Sir need not say that came into this body differing
with the administration upon almost every subject of our
public civil policy. This difference, decided
the beginning, so far from having been diminished has
been but more and more strengthened and confirmed
believe they msapprehend the true policy of the country,
and fundamentally err upon great and vital points of
stitutona power 1 may be mistaken; but believe as
sincerely as believe in my existence. that the day
will come, and rapidly coming when this will be seen
to be the general opinion OF the people and that until
then, the country will be deprived of many blessing
which the constitution intended to bestow. But,
new questions have arisen, and are now agitating the
nation We at war; and, upon of the questions
growing out of it, find myself differing perhaps with
most of the senators on this side of the chambenot,
Will dil-WltIl III ID prlue anu pleasure
generally agree need not say Mr. President you
to them, that this difference exists does exist because
am unable, from sense OF duty, TO have it otherwise.
Party ties party prepossessons party associations strong
they are, and should be, be sufficiently
strong to make honorable violate what he feels
to be his duty to his country; and when in that duty
involved his countrys reputation they should be- and
are, weaker than the SPIDERS web.
Nor upon this do feel any other than
that which the fact of difference creates; because
know so well the senators who are around me, that
whatever regret they feel that
upon all points Identical should to have, what
sure now have their respect and esteem, if
rendered my own Judgment, and faltered with my own
conscience upon measure, VITAL in that Judgment to the
true tame OF our common country We dfe sir, but we
differ friends We differ sir but differ patriots
We have alike the true honor of the country al heart
we only not agreed, PERHAPS as 10 what that true
honor demands
Sir. he lbes Them and libels me- who doubts our high
and patriotic purposes He violates the decorun Of phi.
vate life, and the decencies of official relation where
exists who ntmates that capable, under any state
OF things, for any purposes of taking sides with the
enemies of country. We aim alike at her honor; we
disagree, if do disagree to the true mode of vin
ealing and maintaining it, Mr. President, all Of the good
and liberal OF my countrymen will have doubt when
they shall have what am about TO say, do the
justice TO believe that my motives pure and patriotic
There may be, and perhaps are mere followers of the
contest who may profess doubt but to none such do
drop syllable to satisfy Bred in the corruption of the
motto OF the political freebooter, that the spos belong
to the vctorhghng not for principle but for plumber
they fecuent their motto, and beneath the
tice OF honest men-ony, indeed, be Stunned as you
would shun any loathsome toad that might be in your
pathway.
| u 4