The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-16

senator from Mississippi, tMr FooTE,l nothing was
further from my intention than to charge any motives
upon those who originated this introduced il TO the
Senate But whatever motives they may have had, a
construction may be given to the thing afterwards AL
though acquit the committee OF the intention, yet such
vote upon the subject may have the construction given
to i altogether different from what was intended.
Mr. DAWSON Then the ground OF objection is
that the resolution should be passed act OF
justice. because might produce influence upon the
popular mind For fear an injury might be done to po-
ca parties this country an act OF Justice must
be done Individual But to recur 10 the history of
the case. and my connexlon with il member Of the
Military Committee This proposition originated with
my friend from Alabama, Mr., CLEMENs,] who is now
unable to be in his seat from ndisposton His resolution
referred 10 board of officers and that board OF Of
hcers was organized and sat n this city, and made their
report to the Senate with recommendation, and this
resolution is in entire conformity with that. This body
referred the report TO the Military Committee, and this
emanated from that commttee-not from party
considerations. with any view to uerlor objects The
committee were about equally divided, with respect to
party but wings and democrats voted alike in relation to
H. and OF the consequences which have been spoken
OF were looked to at all, eveV dreamed Of We only
looked TO the past and the question honestly propounded
was "What will you do 10 distinguish this individual
who has distinguished himself much :" This was
looked upon as simple matter. | looked upon it as a
rfe and my colleagues upon the committee know
that was my opinion But when the question was made
felt bound to give my vote for the resolution. Now ii
Is here, and the only harm which is apprehended can
grow out of is. that the act may increase the popua
" OF an individual, and give him claim 10 tina, which
he ought not TO have Therefore, it is thought that
should not pass the resolution.
submit it without another word, merely repeating the
declaration that never heard the suggestion made in
out OF the committee that it party movement. My
friend on the committee from the State OF Illinois MIR
SHELDs] was OF the supporters of the
outlon and yet he is not political friend OF this ind
vdual and in truth the whole origin of this resolution
from his political opponents, but from those who
were his personal friends and who disposed to
knowledge and to repay, far they could by such
means, his valuable services to the country.
MIR. BUTLER; rise rather TO explain a remark than
to make speech. My friend from Louisiana has at
4 lfrih Ah IN hot IN
upon this Senate the office of historian in writing the
history OF General Scotts life. | do not recollect my
language exactly as spoke from the Impulse of the mo-
men having but just taken my seat; but think the i'm
port OF the remark was fairly this that while we had the
opportunity, should do OF Justice which would
enable the future historian 10 write Justly what due
to General Scctt Since his military reputation, and the
reputation OF others. had come in review before the Sem
ate, minated that the passage OF the resolution was
nothing but tribute of historical justice to that Ieputa
uon. hope am now understood.
| Another remark: Several gentlemen have asked very
emphacay, why besow this peculiar dignity upon Gen.
Sco-his gewgaw, has been called, this mere honor
IN the form OF resolution And il has been asked by
my friend from louisiana what is the of all this to
General Scot' would ask What use has there ever
been for the sprg of laurel placed upon the brow of
conqueng hero great patriot and generas What is
the OF that sprig OF aure' You cannot il, you
mark that sprg of laurel bestowed upon triumphant
general who has reputation has been higher in
centve TO make generals than all other influences that
could be exerted upon the human character That sprg
of laurel is worth than this tribute OF historical
respect to Gen. Scott. II it is due to him. give it, as it
has been given to others, in a spin, OF justice
| One other remark: think that another general who
has been alluded to has had triumph institute no
comparisons had triumph something more than a
sprig OF laurel He sir, wore his honors WELL and pos
teriiy is paying the highest tribute that grateful
people can besow upon his tomb Sir love living mon
umens Of justice and gratitude, and magnanimy; and
in doing justice mol willing TO place either in
petor rank the great question to who may
have fairly right to participate the title OF conqueror
of Mexico do not know whether ! would give the
lauels to Maceus sooner than TO Fabins but what is
given to one, would give TO both.
i MIR BORLAND. AS member of the Military Com.
mee from which this resolution has been reported,
desire TO make known some OF the reasons which IN.
duced to oppose its adoption In the present aspect OF
the question: think il is to be regretted that the debate
should have wandered far from the terms of the
luton itself, and particularly that j, should have been
made to embrace the personal and military character or
the political relations OF any individual
| The PRESIDENT. The Chair eDdeavored to call the
attention Of senators to the fact that the resolution was
general
Chair and trust was not understood taking excep-
tons to it. merely intended TO express my regret that
senators had INDUCED in such latitude OF remark, and
was about to add that was sure no good could grow
out OF It, .
II my memory be not fault the resolution originally
introduced by the senator from Alabama Mr. CLEMEssl
Proposed in plain and direct terms TO confer the brevet
rank OF lieutenant general upon General Scott alone,
and by If the authors and advocates OF the reso
luton before us have the same object in view,
think they very unfortunate the mode they have
adopted to accomplish it, II such object, or, indeed,
any object should be accomplished at all, ii should be
done in plain, direct straightforward way. Above all,
like this, where the object is TO confer honor,
there should be no indrecon in the manner no ambJu-
ousness in the terms, loop on which doubt may
hang And yet what is the character OF this resolution
What does it propose do, and how TO do it neither
inpnte impugn motives But, ask again. what is
the character OF the resolution II any resolution OF Con-
gress confer honor upon an individual such as
soldier ought to be willing 10 receive, 1t would IN my
opinion, be such "A one was originally introduced
That presented directly and once, the question Of the
t,re
action of Congress competent, to do have attained the
| contemplated object THIS will do such Thing. |,
neither indicates the individual coBers the honor IL
goes the extent of creating the grade and leaving TO
the discretion OF the President In all other cases OF
brevet, 10 confer il upon-whom Why, upon any man
or any number OF men, without Limitation or restriction
The discretion with the President and ii this contem-
plated honor shall be conferred upon General Scott
or any other officer, he will receive from the hands OF
the President aad from Congress- nor by its vote
think the contemplated honor will be empty enough even
if conferred by the direct vote OF both houses oi Con
gress. originally proposed. But when that mode u
evaded By resong to generates, and the whole
matter is left TO the discretion Of man. however wise
or exalted that may be, the honor becomes indeed
too EN- PITY for estimation.
There many why, in my opinion, this reso
luton ought 10 be adopted As, however, the most Of
them have been already gwen far better and more orcby
than could give them, will not consume the time OF
the Senate by repeating them Still there one or two
points which think il not amiss TO insist upon for mo
ment
That the public service requires anything be done o
the kind proposed not pretended by any
no one the most jealous advocate OF the resou
tion has 80 asserted That il adopted, the resolution
will ia 10 accomplish the object intended, is to my mind
very clear and entirely certanhat if that object really