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

LIEUTENANT GENERAL BY BREvEr.
Nj, HOUSTON obtained The floor. but gave way 10
Mr.. SHIELDS, II the senator IRON Texas will per.
mil ma will say that, not anticipating such debate,
regret il very much, as promised my friend from Geor'
ris to make motion to postpone. should il occur;
Several SENATORS. No. no. We can finish the mat
Mr SHIELDS Very well As il does not seem to be
,bs wish OF the Senate, will not make the motion.
MIR, HOUSTON. II was not my desire nor my inten-
ton TO have said anything upon tins subject But from
ibe course which the deba has taken and the amount
of time which has occupied together with some allu-
sIons which have been made in reference to the former
action of this body feel myself called upon TO assign
son,e reasons for former vote, do not intend
for the present resolution On former OCCASION prOpo-
stion was submitted to the Senate for the creation OF
lieutenant general OF the army War then existed, and
our armies were then within the enemys territory
misundesland ng had grown up between the command
lnQ generals dscord, almost amounting 10 dissolution
OF the army seemed 10 reign IN the ranks-a! least such
was The impression in this country-ana serious appre
tensions expressed that the army would be dis
banded Under these circumstances was disposed to
support the proposition for creating the office OF euten
ant general, with the hope that by the creation OF
head-by the elevang OF one individual above the others
between whom the misunderstanding existed-hamony
would be restored to The army, and our arms would be
triumphant This was my reason for voting TO give the
power to the President to create lieutenant general OF
The army II was, however, decided by the Senale that
At that tme-in time OF war, when want OF harmony
was manifest between the generals OF the army- was
not expedient that such course should be adopted
have reflected upon the proposition since, and must
fess tina, the only that ! have found tor it
the emergency then existing, and have come to the
conclusioniihat II, crisis like that unnecessary
to create lieutenant general, certainly fitting
casion has since been presented
Having TO this conclusion, and having assigned
my reason for it, will go to stat. that can
possible benefit that result from this proposition
now. either to the country or to the ndivdual-l mean
no substantial benefit. The President Of the United
States the Commander Chief OF the army and navy
OF the United States, and such subordinate officers
necessary 70 fill up the details OF organization are ap-
pointed his assistants Since have got along for
long time without the creation of the office OF euten
ant and since emergencies have edom arisen that
suggested the proprety of appointing such an officer and
even these few emergencies having passed by, with
country at peace and with small standing army can
certainly necessity for the creation OF such office
But it may be intended as compliment 10 the gal
lani officer who evidently referred to by those gentle
men who in favor oil the measure Tor j urged that
he has received no breye while other officers, subord
nate him, have received brevets for their gallant
duet in Mexico and il is but fiji that he should now
eminent reason why he was not brevetted. 1t
was not that Congress wished 10 withhold from him
any expression q appreciation or admiration of his
Mexico; but it was that he had filled the meas
ure Of promotion, and there higher office TO
which be could be brsve.ted at the time that these
to him could be breveed because they had not attained
the acme OF promotion. He however bad attained it
years before and could not then receive reward
that direction. But has not every mode of expressing
Animation been given to him. Have not medals and
swords been voted to him Have not the thank. of Con-
gess been voted 10 him And what more be given IN
the way of expressing nations gratitude. that has
already been gveni would no, deprive that individ
ual OF one ota OF fame that is due to him would
iDerpose upon party principles, as has been suggested
the sghtest objection any expression OF public sppTo
baton any public demonstration OF honor that might
The senator from New Hampshire mir HALr] has
very psnenty said that this expression by Congress Of
their appreciation OF the conduct OF that distng
officer very idle expression, and not al all necee
ary to complete his fame. Ii il not necessary TO the
consummaton OF his fame as general oficer-as a a
conqueror II you please The annals OF his country will
transmit that to Pos,ery without any fummery or idle
expression upon our pa for his graifcation even he
had The llttleness to wish II az fimsy honor de
has Lad great honor accorded TO him a right
from the CONSEQUENCES OF the American people, and
from nauon's heart that felt that he had served the
nation and entitled TO their gratitude But the mere
idle expression by Congress OF this appreciation, when
war has passed away SINCE and when this
IN this particular way was not given al the time should
have been gven at a--immedatey after the war bad
terminated, and when its events fresh in the Iecol
lection Of every person-s entirely unnecessary What
the necessity that suggests at this me that urges
now upon this Senate Is il to crafty idle vanity
Certainly not general who is capable Of such go-
rous and honorable achievements cannot be hckled or
grAihed by expression that out OF mere formal
act OF honor when that excited feeling OF the public mind
has passed that ecs the eloquent expressions Of
The public gratitude This would be to him but cold
nat, and inspid expressioD-a mere matter OF form.
Now, what TO be the consequences OF that breve
Wnch you are now creauDg Must you not accompany
u with all the sppendages OF lieutenant general OF the
British army VIII this lieutenant general be satisfied
ne does not receive additional pay ratons, perqusltes
and military display Certainly be will expect IT, and he
ought TO have IT. Will you give hun an idle honor--a
mere expression Of public conhdencewhen you will not
give hm the attendant and concontan appendages OF the
fank' Whyst would be insult for you thus virtually
say that be worthy OF the name, but not worthy OF
The benefits Of the rank that you about TO confer
upon him,
And have never known much difficulty arise from
any other circumstance connected with the organization
OF our army has been the result OF the bTevct system
IL mas been eyesore from its inception down to the
present. moment Twenty years have passed by since
the hrs difficulty about this matter; and then
denomination made has been referred TO by the
senator from Mississippi. [Mr. DAvIs,l by seectng an
omee moi expected to receive the favor at the time Ut
was conferred upon him and for years after his de-
eease was seon,esied matter between two command
generals as to who should have the precedence This
oun.uy grew out OF she principle OF brevet. Had the
system OF linear rank and linear promotion been adhered
20 tnese difhcuues would have existed, and we
oouo nol nave seen northern and southern division
ne army arrayed against each other, with the officers
~ e army becoming the parsans OF their own lmmeai-
MAJOR generals, and each coDtending for his rights
Dues grew out Of the controversy between these two
promotion
nave we precedent for this creation of the Office OF
lieutenant general We have precedent, and that, too,
occurring IN time Of peace Butt was the promotion OF
zen. Washington to that distinguished position. Hewas
Ho1ny OF it-olhcrs may be- but he certainly was There
was ont one Father OF his Country !" there was but
os ASH lngton and there but Lieutenant gen.
country
me yea, and nays were callel for and ordered.
si DoWNS, do not desire to engage IN any Lengthy
euseion on this subject; but wish TO state very bTefy
AeW OF tbe feasons which induced 10 vote IN favof
opf fhe tab nd