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

the country oe involved in controversy with foreign
psy sp should be asssaaesd And think the
tines when such cases have arisen, party spirit has sub
sided II was so: recoect, some years ago, when the
question of the Northeastern Boundary in agita
lion. Then, nearly by unanimous consent--indeed, 1
believe 1t was NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. were placed at the
disposal OF the President to meet any contingency which
might arise So il was also, believe, at the commence
ment OF this but the spirit OF party opposition has
gradually arisen, and every suggested for the
prosecution OF the war is now most scrupuously scru
iinized. ~ fsist.aE t.c s.e M sgeor
now proceed TO give OF the grounds of my vote
upon this bill IN addition to- the reasons given for its
Affairs and so eoquenty sustained by another member
OF the committee 1.-THE senator from Mississippi whose
heroic and skillfu exploits in two of the most brilliant
battles-and regret to say also, his honorable
wounds but clearly attest the bloody battles of
the war, Monterey and Buena Vista adds weight to
whatever he says on this subject, which, it seems to
then; but find was mistaken. His arguments have
not been answered they never can or will be answered
on this floor or elsewhere Still opposition to the bill
My thanks, and the thanks of this body and of the
try due to the honorable senator from Mississippi,
who is the military committees for what he said on
the amendment offered by the from Kentucky.
That amendment seemed almost to have reduced the friends
of this bill to the necessity of undertaking the efficiency
OF volunteers, or to adopt the amendment There is
difference OF opinion this subject both in the army and
elsewhere The honorable senator was identified with
both arms of the service regulars and volunteers and
could have no Partially for either Few men occupy the
same position In this particular; he has said therefore,
all that Is proper or necessary on the occasion, and
have no doub satisfied both parties that for the services
contemplated regulars are to be preferred. While ex
pressing then thanks that senator, and my full
currence in all he said the respective merits OF volu
appropriate sphere but doing ample credit to both,
take occasion to state fact and an opinion OF volunteers
once heard from very distinguished officer of the reg
uar army IN the war OF 1912, now no more, and who.
like my friend from Mississippi bore about him wounds
received the battle fields Of his country, and which,
Believe at last carried him premat,rey the gravel
the General RIDlpV thought the stated
and the opinion given little extravaganza now believe
them both perfectly true He said, that in all the annals
like equal numbers never had been beaten, and never
could while our present institutions existed The battle
fields of New Orleans. Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo Brazil
said. 'N 'A''''' "'N ''-'''' ne
In the debates on this bill there has been, think some
ncorecness the statements of those who oppose the
bill (no doubt uninentona as to the force now author
zed and required by the Executive and the committee,
calculated to lead to 1t has been variousy stated
by different speakers from ninety to hundred thousand
men, and the increase contemplated by the bill now under
consideration, and the bill for twenty regiments of voun
as increasing the actual force in service thirty thou
sand men. | do not understand it, As understand
it from the reports of the Adjutant Generals office, the
present forces authorized are:
| Volunteers 32,s16
Is Total authorized $500 63.16s
We aaa s by this
actual service from the last returns are:
Regulars - 2O,333
Volunteers from Michigan and Alaba- ' .
ma Oh 'ielr way S2oo
! Making in all in actual service 427l9
From these statements it will appear that the number
that be kept service, of those authorized by law,
is about two thirds This calculation will give for the
added, about sa5, say fifty thousand men And # the
twenty additional regiments of volunteers be added
the forces previously authorized, the number that would
ho nT
culaton would be 90 900 This bill and the bill author
izng the twenty regiments OF volunteers DO not as has
been represented add thirty thousand men to the number
in actual service They do not necessarily add single
man to either of the service they only authorize
the President to do so il he deems it necessary
While this branch of the subject, desire to make
few remarks in reply the arguments offered against
senator from South Carolina. mr. BrrLER,l which is
ceasng the number OF the regiments to add certain
Der OF men to each company. DO not know much about
military affairs sir. but confess that this amendment
i considered that the peace establishment of the
United States had been already very much augment
above all, after the remarkable manifestations which
The army had given Of its efficiency under the present
In this organization appeared to to be Of doubt
full eXpediency to say the least of it. slight departure
even from an established system which has proved
not say that there would positively be danger making
the change proposed by the amendment, but prefer eav
ing the organization of the army precisely as it at
present. The Senator from South Carolina recommends
his amendment on the score OF economy In
great economy is the worst economy. We cannot
pect when go to war that prosecute it without
expense perfectly agree with gentlemen, who declare
that when we go TO war. we must pay for it. We must
tax the people. regard of the consequences OF
this the necessity of imposing meet the
penditures admit that at once, and ready to go
far any reasonable in the imposition of taxes,
for the purpose of defrayng the expenses of this
The expense know must be great and for it must
considerations
into the calculations of people, when they find it
sary to enter into The great object of is
cess, and that is to be sought at any We
engaged IN and must prosecute it to successful
close. II ls no time to sit down. and, counting the
cost, cut off of the odds and ends. If economy is
your object why not strike off half of the officers Of the
army' Ii we are to adopt this economical policy, why
not proceed to cut down all the oficers' have fear
to inability TO meet the expenses of this war We
have met them thus far and shall be fully able to
meet them hereafter ! cannot therefore, concur in the
amendment of the Senator from South Carolina IN
In the course of the argument on that amendment,
something said about the patronage of the Exeeu-
tve and in reference to that have few words to offer
know that complaints have been made with reference
ponment of the principal officers OF the army engaged in
this war. But think, sir, that an attentive examination
of the army list will furnish evidence of some justca
ton for the conduct of the Executive. AT the head of
the list there does to be considerable preponder
ance of democratic names but il you look further down,
you will discover that the officers appointed by the ex
ecuves of those States in which wing influence pre-
walls have been selected from the ranks of that party
For myself would never permit such distinctions of
of the country; and never In any recommendations
which have made have such distinctions been permit