The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-08
MIR. McLane and the Resolutions OF Censure
on General Taylor.

most of paragraph which appeared the
other day in the Republic, presenting the
contrast in the position Of Mr. McLANE
and Major KENLY, the candidates Tor
Congress in the fourth district OF Mary
land. The gist of our allegation was, that
Mr.. McLANE, after having been educated
at the public expense at West Point, failed
10 give his country the benefit OF his SER
vices during the Mexican war; whereas
Major KENLY, who was under no such OBJ
legation, had come promptly forward TO
raise a company and proceed to Mexico.
These facts are not denied, but issue is
taken on an immaterial allegation as to
the "time' at which Mr.. McLANE left
the army. 1t appears that, in the judg-
mcnt of his friends, Mr.. McLANE's edu
cation was finished at West Point View
of the opinion that soldiers education
was only commenced there, and that
six or seven years subsequent service
was indispensable to its completion. II
this be %, our allegation was literally
true-that Mr.. McLANE left the army as
soon AS his education was completed. II
seems that his friends allege that Mr..
McLANg serued six or seven years, and In
1887 volunteered for service in the Florl-
da war, where he was employed for two
vears--a portion Of the time doing duty
as Typographical engineer under the or
ders OF General Taylor. If our paragraph
was calculated to convey an erroneous
impression on this subject, we give Mr..
McLANE the benefit of the correction.
But there is another point of alleged
error. We stated that Mr.. McLANE was
prominent among those who voted to cen
sure General TAYLOR. The Opposition
journals pretend TO interpret this as an al
legation that Mr.. McLANE, as member
Of Congress, joined in the vote of censure
upon General TAYLOR passed by the House
of Representatives at the second session of
the twenty-ninth Congress. The .4rgus
and the Union represent US as saying that
Mr.. McLANE personally joined in that
disgracelul vote. We did not desire to be
so understood. Mr.. McLANE was not a
member, we believe, of that Congress;
and therefore could not we'll have voted
upon that particular resolution. But is it
not true that he was prominent among the
men who did join in that vote of censure'
Was he not active and influential, and did
he not-does he not-heartily cooperate
with the men who voted for JACOB THoMr-
soY's mi. cradle proyiso, designed TO put
on record the opinion of the Locofoco mem
bers that there was something in the terms
of General TAYLoR's capitulation at Mon
tcrey which his country did not apProve'
As far a, Mr.. McLANE's pretensions 10
popular favor are concerned, what differ
cnce is there, politically, between voting
far an odious resolution and always voting
Nth the men who were the authors Of IL?
Mr.. McLANE must share all the respon-
sibilities Of his party. When, as party,
they are guilty Of disgraceful act, he Is
re, ponslble for it a. long as be continues to
act with them. He cannot shirk respon
sibiliiy by alleging that he was never
pinned to particular principle or measure,
by recording his vote in favor of IT in a
public capacity. II that excuse were to
be received, there would be an end of
every thing like party responsibility, and
a man might be a good Locoioco, and dis
approve Of all Locoloco measures. This
is not, in our judgment, the nature Of
party liability.
Now, let US see what Mr.. McLANE's
friends did in this matter to which atten-
ton has been thus called. Let us 60 TO
the record. On the Both Of January, lS47,
MIR. CocKr, a Wing member from Ten
ncssee, moved in the House Of Represen-
tatiyes 10 suspend the rules, for the pur-
po-e OF enabling him TO offer the following
Joint resolutions:
Resolred unaninovsly By tie Ssnat, and HO1us q
Psp-asnfafius, in Congsp aIsenLlsd, That the
thanks Of Congress arc cue ana are hereby pre-
scented, 70 Major General Zachary Taylor, and
through him TO th: brave officers and soldiers both
Of the regular army and Of the volunteers under hi
eonmand, for their courage, skill, fortitudc, snc
goo CONDUCT in storning the city Of Monterey
ccfnded az twas By force more than double their
uuinbsr, and protected BY the strongest fortihca-
ti,ns. which resulted in a most brilliant victory 70
our army, and reflected imPcrishsble honor upon
our arms.
Rssolued, That the President be requested 70
cause 70 be struck gold medal, with devices en-
blcrna tic fthe splendid achievement, and presented
20 General Taylor, as testimony Of the high sense
entertsined By Congress q his judicious and dis
tinauishcd conduct on that memorable occasion.
R,.olped. That the President Of the United States
b. requested 70 cause the foregoing resolutions u
he communicated 70 General Taylor, and through
bin, 10 the army under his command.
Various expedients were resorted tc
with the view Of getting rid Of the resolu.
tons. Mr.. payne, Of Alabama, suggest
81 ~, ,hoy shot,ld be referred 10 the