Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-02-15


conducive to the greatness of the country and the safety
| honor. and happiness of the people.
Mr.. FOOTE. should like understand what we are
doing II the language which have heard gentle
men use on this occasion be justified by the facts and this
intended principally il alone as q just compliment to
military services OF preemneniy distinguished character
can see no objection whatever to the resolution Yet
been hnted to me that expected that large additional pc
cunsr ecompense is hereafter to be provided in the
that the resolution should pass its present FORM II any
gentleman who is informed on this subject enghen me
In regard to this particular point shall certainly be obliged
to him. epeat that it has been suggested that is in con-
temptation TO provide by law for large annual stipend in
addition to the pay Of major general for the benefit Of
particular public officer in shall adopt this resolu
tion Isuppose that the present time officers in
general sufficiently well paid If the contrary the case, for
one shall always be ready TO supply DEFICIENCIES and il the
distinguished gentleman alluded will be receive
pay which be receiving but moderate amount
in addton for shall certainly have the only ojooto
which could Poby entertain TO The proposition bsOe US
entirely removed In tho present uncertainty upon
delicate point to which have referred not certain
yet how shall vote this resolution and shall decline
absolutely committing myself TO its support until
informed the subject shall give that
great increase of pay designed chiefly if exclusively,
but formal and mered recognition Of high public services
to the nation in fields Of where immortal glory
won for the American name and people, honor the illus
rious persoage alluded to often in the progress of this
debate highly any here. All the commentator be-
slowed upon him this occasion s in my Judgment not at
all beyond his DESERTS As patriot, recognise him ent
tied to the most profound respects hghminded and
compshed gentleman, be my esteem and aecon
the victor upon many wefough field in which the
ona homer maintained and the enemies of beloved
country humbed respect hm-I am grateful to hm-I
proud Of him. Nothing could give pain than to be
supposed capable Of calling in question: for political for any
other purposes the claims of this parsonage any comp
menary testimonial which those best acquainted with such
matters may suppose bs proper and becoming But Mr.
President, must say that lament most deeply certain sug
gestons which have been INDUCED this morning, by OF
luon allude, Of course the Senator from New York
who sits the way, mr. SEwARD.) Sir, cannot
derstand what that Senator by portion of the remarks
which have fallen from him. he really wishes the resolution
to pass. could not well imagine njudicious
Of advocacy than that which be has thought proper adopt
He has than nmated that Gen. Scott perse
cuted by the administration Of President Polk He threw
out an innuendo and very distinct one to that effect
believed, do think any living establish
such proposition. know the gentlemen who composed
that Administration WELL and hold them all to be utterly inca
Pable OF Intentional injustice, and panied that, without
the least Aecessty for it. certain unhappy msunderstandngs
which every patriot should desire to become obvous
should have been obruded upon Unexpectedly and
| unseasonably.
Mr.. SEWARD. The Senator will allow me to say that |
did not intimate any such thing regard that Adminsa-
'ion But complaints were made upon which Gen. Scott
suspended But complaints that did not orgi
nate here, but which up from Mexico would not
intimate that they not believed be true, and that the
proceedings adopted not necessarily and justly taken
The distinguished gentleman who filled the Office Of Secre
tay OF War under that Administration Of the most dis
dnguished in this country, and of my personal
friends, for whom cherish the highest regard, and TO whom
would be the last to impue what the gentleman supposes
Mr. DOUGLAS. shall vote for this resolution as it is,
provided IT be amended although is not in the shape
in which would prefer seeing it. very willing and
anxious to mark of appreciation that would be implied in
conerng the grade of lieutenant general upon Gen. Scott
take for granted that the object of the resolution. With
regard to his distinguished services the late war;
bend there diversity of opinion among the people of
this country would have preferred to have this pro-
put in shape which, in my opinion, would have
been consistent with the organization of the army, with
| reference to what may occur in the future.
think that the highest grade Of the army Of the United
States should be vacant always in time Of peace be filled
when war should by commssonto expire at the
cluson Of the war; My reason for that is this Promotions
are made in the United States army generally by seniority
and may frequently in the future that when
out the person holding the highest grade in the army
will not physically from age, be able perform active duties
IN the held think that, whenever occurs, the Pres
dent OF the United States should be liberty to look through
the whole line Of the army and through the whole line Of the
citizen sodery to select commander inchef conduct that
war; would therefore, like the Office of lieutenant gen.
era Created to be filled when arises and to become
cant when should be concluded When the President fills
that office, with reference services in the field be
may take the in the United States best calculated
to perform the duties Of the Office Combining this object
therefore, with the one to pay this compliment to Gen. Scott
was in hopes that the Committee Military Affairs would
have provided for the creation of the office Of lieutenant gen.
eral with provision that il might be filed but when
it should become vacant by death, resignation, other
causes, should remain vacant until should occur and
then II should be filled during the war, and again become
can't at the conclusion of the war; and continue throughout
This would have accomplished the two objects. 1t would
have done justice to Gen. Scot and the compliment to him
would have been greater than will be under this provso
because when you provide that may be filled in time
Of peace and filed only by man. forever thereafter be
vacant unless war exists the compliment you pay him is
much greater than would be pass resolution general
terms providing that the President Of the United States shall
be at liberty 10 select from the whole army and those who
may have retired from the army, whe have distinguished
themselves in the volunteer service individual fill the
office.
make these suggestions with great difdence | not
member Of the Military Committee | am not military
make petensons any knowledge of the service
in detail that would authorize bring forward any propo
sion But these views have occurred being proper
and the proposition should be put the shape have sug
gested perhaps would be less Objectionable as precedent
while the compliment Gen. Scott would be much more
enhanced.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Mississippi am sorry that the manner
in which the debate this resolution has conducted has
diverted the attention Of the Senate from the subject of the
solution to personal considerations. The Senator from m
noi however, has spoken somewhat 10 the merits Of the eso
luton, and the two main arguments which he has presented
think constitute two objections it, He first argues that the
resolution proposition to pay compliment indiv
dual Have come to this Are Offices to be created as
rewards to individuals to crafty just pde If you please
following the system of ORDERS stars and garers given by
monarchs His argument that grade should be created
above the ordinary offices of the amy TO be filled in lime o
the selection ofthe President from the whole country at
large That is that the President when war breaks out NAV
hunt through the land for vore on whom he will CON
the chief command and thus bring shame on the brow of
every soldier OF his country That is the PROPOSE