Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-06-30

the people in behalf of free territory. We shall
endeavor hereafter TO show that the nomination of
| Van Buren, and Dodge is more regular than any
nomination before the people. No sane man pre-
! tend, that the Baltimore nomination was regular
it was fraudulent in its inception, nquitous in
its maturity, and its prospective success is doomed
to terminate in hopeless disappointment.
BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN FORTY YEARS
IN OFFICE.
This is one of the innumerabe strong reasons
| urged IN favor of the election of General Taylor.
We not disposed to deny that it is quite as
sound and weghty the most of the arguments
advanced in favor of his election. But have
thought and do still think, that feasting long and
i largely at the public charge, is not, OF itself an
argument which ought to effect much in the way
OF decdinga vote at a republican election.
General Taylor, we are told received a commits
sion in the army in the year 1905; and has ever
since, been a soldier; promoted from grade TO
another until he has obtained the rank of Major
General. There may be something in this
teral for argument. But it is not all on side
as a matter of course. 1t has, ever since our re-
membrane at least been regarded as an instance
of extraordinary success and good lortu Ie, for
young man to obtain a commission in the army
1t puts him at into the receipt OF a handsome
salary and in most cases for life, if he chooses
and with sure prospect olpromotlon and adj anc-
ed pay in case he only holds on for it. Say he be-
gins as Lieutenant, with only $40 per month TO-
gether with rations and equipments. This is more
than double what our young men of intelligence
and business capabi'ity commonly receive on first
engaging in the employment which they design to
follow Besides II is cash pay, certain and no mis-
take. Then there are the remuneratons for extra
service such as adjutants and quarter masters du-
ty, compensation !or extra drill duty, called COM
maad money, recruiting service, &c. &c, often
amounting in the case OF recently commissioned
officer to SIS $50, and $25 per month more than
the fixed rate of pay which he receives as com
mssoned officer of lowest rank. Here is the pay
of five six or seven prvatcs, and for duties far less
fatiguing and sell denying than those performed by
the private soldier. a commission in the army or
navy is about much coveted as any of the sub
ordinate offices in the gift of the national executive
An ambitious young man in Europe will often ex-
pend fortune to obtain commission. And III
this country it is necessary that young ian
should be favorite of some one or more members
of Congress other great m en- at the capitol, in or
der to his standing any chance at all for a commits
sion. A world of complaint is made that mem
bers of Congress commonly procure the appoint
ments in favor of their own and other near re-
lltions; and that the highest claims and the most
ample rec recommendations pass unnoticed, because
the sons of Congressman, cabinet officers, foreign
ministers governors &c. among the applicants.
Well the young man has got his commission. AS
a general thing, il would require thousands of dol
lars to prevail on him 10 part with it Nine tenths
of the time easy lie, good pay, opportunity /
to hold on for life if he chooses, with prospect of
promotion and increased payal the while, and hon
or without limit; which is, in most cases, better
and greater than all. Time passes on and he at j.
tans higher rank; and his pay advances to SIS, .
to 500, to so to $500. 10 $500 per month and
so on We venture to say, that Major Generals
pay, with all the perquisites and emoluments usu
ally attached TO that rank is not less than fifteen
hundred dollars per month fifty dollars per day, or
more than times as large pay of members
of Congress. And then the distinguished honor of
SO high rank, as public sentiment usually decides
is more than all pecuniary considerations and fur
themore, a high rank in the army is the surest
passport to the best Offices in the gift of either the
government or the people.
As TO the hardship, priyaton and exposure of
officers of the army, it is ludcrous to speak ofsuch
things. Ifthere are long marches on loot over bad
roads, or where there is road through swamps
and rivers, carrying burdens, faring upon coarse,
and short. and damaged rations digging intrench-
ments, standing guard at nj ht and in the severest
weather, being sick with no medical attention and
nursing, &c &c. all these hardships and privatons
come upon pnvates and non-commissoned officers {
upon those who serve for SIS per month; while {
those who receive from So TO $1,000 per month I
and upwards, are the gentlemen the arIstocracy. !
the drivers and overseers of the lower and serye
grades. 1t is the business of the rank and file TO
perform the hard service, 10 meet the chief prva.
tons and exposures, and the men who wear epau.
ettes get the pay and the glory. A major General
' fNS ina" huuuI Gu PINstes ana is tue
largest sort OF nabob TO his style of living and
the kind of service he performs But when we ;
come to talk about the obligatinns of the country
70 the brave men who have filled the ranks of its .
army, and who have fought its battles: one per
'onage fills the discourse The Major General has
made the nation rich and prosperous and honored L
All the tolls and hariships and self denials of the
var have been borne by the major General The il
lrmy, and the nation which supported and furnish
d the army. all move off to the back ground of the
picture in order that the honos and rewards Of the
,ampaign may be concentrated and accumulated