The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-15


The administration OF Presdea Polk he threw OUT an
nnusndo. and very distinct one, 70 that effect meyer
so believed, nor do ,hak any man LIVING can establish
such proposition. know the gentlemen who composed
THAI administration WELL and hold them all 10 be uerly
incapable Of Intentional injustice and am paned mat
Without the least necessity for il. certain unhappy ms
understandings, OF which every true patriot should desire
10 become obyous, should have been obrnded upon Us
50 M 1nstpsseay and 70 Snseasoaaoly allow ,b il
dulgence which yielded 10 him Nh
| Mr. FOOTE concede to him.
| MI SEWARD. certainly dlsclalm any such lining
such attack upon the late administration passed over
altogether the matter OF the complaints against General
Scott rested on the fact OF his suspension IRON com
mand alone The senator viii perceive a. once ,na! am
complaints upon which Gen. Scott was arragned were
complaints that did arise here in the capital or even
s camp II Mexico ai Tnsy were @ and
not say, do not intend TO inmae that they were not
necessarily and Justly snsrtanst Inc a
the administration which conducted the Mexican war Is
OF the most eminent IN this country ne Is one
Of my personal riends--a man for whom cherish very
circumstances to mpue unnecessarily q wsntony even
an error of judgment hope that will be satisfactory
Mr.. FOOfE, The gentleman, then. has pursu,s.d
course Of remark which, 10 say the least, is not little
illogical After the disclaimer just given, cannot nm
derstand why this dsagreeabe topic to at all
The senator evidently seemed to bs engaged n an eo
much upon the ground OF the great dsncnon IN arms
which he has acquired upon the ground that be bad
been subjected TO peculiar indgnes; and now the hon
orabe gentleman tells that he did not mean anything
OF the kind Then, of course, he meant nothing Why
the gentleman should undertake 10 address in man
ner so seemingly significant, when he really had no par
cuar IDEAS to express and particular object 10 accom-
plishwby he should think it necessary on an occasion
like this, make vain rhetorical exhlbihon-l cannot
exactly understand AT any rate, If should eventually
vote for this proposition, glad that the declaration
which has just been made by the senator from New YORK
will relieve me from all suspicion OF sancuoning any
such idea as that General Scott by the ad
minsiraon Of Mr. Polk, or BY anybody else CONCEIVE
that nothing could be ndelicate or dscredtabe 10
us than to all at this me and under existing cir
cunsances, into examination OF those unhappy teuds
which sprung up between himself and other military
commanders OF great worth during me late war WIN
gladly lose forever If should support this proposition,
shall do because consider the distinguished gentle
alluded TO worthy OF the compliment designed by 1t
10 be bestowed upon him. and because am willing,
by negalivng it. 10 mortly the sensibiities OF hgh-
toned American. 80 af#,
Washington made lieutenant general for the purpose
OF conducting the against France al one time antcl-
pated and thus does il appear that the wise men oil an
other generation considered that the establishment OF an
office OF This grade might become expedient Il chanced
that the expected did not occur and the ofce was
abolished but have TO hear this part OF our national
become great peoples we have multiplied in our re-
sources beyond any other instance in history Tor the Pur
poses Of inst and necessary national defence against
foes either foreign domestlc army and our navy
have both been greatly strengthened and extended and
no improperly wha,syef IN introducing into
both these branches OF The public service those official
grades known all the other civilized nations OF the
earth Although we are now happily at peace with all
nations, knows how long this condon Of things
xtended and the points OF possible collision IN future
multiplied OF late years. that fear II would hardly be
reasonable to calculate upon continuance OF peace Tor
great many years succession. war were to break
out Tomorrow do doubt that the appointment OF
Eeutenan general would be necessary; and II is only
acting out the counses OF the Father OF his Country ~
d. MN. forx = s f. =
| While upon this subject, would say that happen TO
be Of those unfortunate democrats who never dld
approve OF the proponlon during the adTnlsnauon 2.
Of the few measures OF that truly wse patriouc ana
brilliant administration 10 which could not give my
assent. had, perhaps, some peculiar peraona reasons
same time conceived il To be mpoIitc upon high public
grounds have seen no reason TO change my views
upon this subject the contrary, subseqnent events
have decidedly confirmed them believed nen that the
appointment OF lieutenant general-especialy the APP
poinment OF individual to the place Oh Lieutenant
general, who did not belong TO the army at all above the
major generals then actual commands officers OF high
grade and distinguished service- would have had mos
disastrous eaeci upon the whole army. and upon t6s
pending war with Mexico. | am OF opinion that the
iriumphs which were afterwards achieved in Mexico
would have been heard OF had that particular meas.
ure been contaminated Being then in private life, did
moi, OF course, make any marked oppos'tion TO II
bat those who conversed with the subject them
know that entertained very decided views IN opposition
10 the whole scheme will add, sir. that not little
al loss TO understand how j, is that gentlemen who were
that time willing to create lieutenant general under
circumstances inaNsplcious, and when " was conn
IDENTIFY expected thai individual would be appointed TO
the place who did not belong To The American army al
ALL and whose appointment would in all possibility have
been fatal the whole plan Of military operntions In
Mexico, hesitate 10 give their sanction to the
proposition before which every point OF view,
IA con s,der, much less objectionable DO not wish
to suggest any Inconsistency AT all but should be pleased
10 hear this delicate point little explained must be
permitted, without any intentional dlscourtesy 10 enter
formal protest against what has been sad by the senator
from New York in reference to the late Secretary of
War; [Mr. Mafcy1--lhe matter which he has thought
proper 10 bring TO notice. have never understood
that such relations Of political affinity and confidence ex
ise, between that senator and Gov. Marcy author
ze him to pul himself forward for the purpose OF shield
ing him from impsaton had understood, indeed, that
very dIerspt relations existed be,ween them "a pubic
men, and such rendered Il pre-. emineniiy unbecomnG
in the senator from New York become upon this floor
| Mr.. DOUGLAS / shall vote for this resolution as II
s provided il be not amended, although II 10 not in The
shape in which wsuld prefer seeing It, lam very will
ling and anxious the mark ot aPProbatio~ that
would be implied in conerrng the grade of lieutenant
he object OF the resolution With regard 70 his disiin
guished the late apprchend there - no
Diversity OF OPINION among the people OF this country
wond have preferred however, 10 have this pfopo
been more consistent with the organizations OF the army,
with references TO what may occur in the future. ~
,hmk that the highest grade OF the army Of the United
States should be vacant always in time OF peace to be
hlled when war SHOULD occur commission % expire
the conclusion Of the My Tor that opinion
ia this Promotions made in the United States army
generally by seniority, and it may Frequently occur in
Inc that when war breaks out the holding
the highest grade the army will not physically, from
age, bs able TO perform active duties IN the Hel think