Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-02-15


Of the then President Of the United States Andrew Jackson
and they wrote upon the journals Of the Senate BY and
by another Senae botted out drew black lines around it.
Did the fame Of Andrew Jackson stand ioa the better
upon bis achievements and upon bis history which the world
knows and in very little white will be entirely forgotten
that such resolution passea 80 u will be with
General Scott If hs hss dons sny thing to win ur With
post0y that fame beyond reach, and touch
it, II be has such title just fame, it is idle and use-
less and than useless o undertake. by any thing
we d. to build tup If the friend that
General Scott has, would vote against this resolution.
am not saying that am enemy Of General Scott for
have feelings for him but those Of the utmost kindness
and profound respect and is with entire consonance
with that respect that would refuse pass such resolution
setting aside the evil influences which such precedent would
be likely to establish in the country.
Mr.. CLAY. should have been glad to have had vote
taken upon the resolution but discussion has been
elected by it, beg leave to say few words. The resolu
ton has, think, not been treated exactly right II does
name any individual and although every Senator may have
some particular officer OF the army in view, there nothing
In the resolution to authorize it. proposes invest the
President of the United States with the power by and with
the advice and Of the Senate understand
y, to grant the rank Of beve lieutenant general for services
actually performed has been argued in the progress of
this short discussion, that in war, when it raging with
all its violence, proposition which made the
Office OF lieutenant general was rejected Allow me to make
few observations upon that If it rejected, it not
believe until after it had the concurrence of the other
branch Of Congress- and then rejected by small mao
ry. But what is the difference between the In
that case understood that particular individual
designed be placed in the Office Of lieutenant general and
commanden-chief Of armies in the field, if the bill pass
ed do not to say any thing for against the merits
OF the particular individual whom contemplated ap
point at that time but this am free say, that individual
had rendered such meroous services would call upon
the country to bestow the rank of lieutenant general How
is it with this resolution 1t proposes to create that rank
only for actual brilliant services performed The case refer
red to during the merely in anticipation of
vices and very possibly the services might have been
performed The proposition to create the rank only
where brilliant honorable and patriotic services have been
rendered the person who be the recipient Of the office
Sir the difference is too marked, too obvious too striking, to
admit Of a comparison between the two
Mr.. President, honors by military high.
appreciated than pay, and when they be granted with
no injury to country think the cheapest modes
in which reward them. But has been said that you
create the Office and rank Of lieutenant general now you will
be called upon to create the rank Of field marshal
man in the country would be ready to grant under
proper circumstances whep in of achievements
and in ssrvce by OF brave officers he shall
be entitled to the rank And so sir with regard the Of
nee OF admiral We expect TO be- hope TO be- are
now the great competitor for the supremacy of the
And do we ever expect to acquire actual supremacy,
beat down our great commercial and naval rival without
granting the rewards and without bestowng the high honors
which bestowed in all other countries and nowhere
freely than by that Power whose naval supremacy would
suppanti
Mr.. President, do not to dwell upon the merits Of
the individual whom il is supposed to be rewarded here the
whole country the whole world rings with his praises in
military point of view If there instance in which
was the duty Of nation offer its sentiments of gratitude
with view to stimulate future military action, by besowing
this rank costing nothing but grateful beyond description
the individual who receive it, the of the conqueror
of Mexico presents such an instance
Mr. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts. This resolution is brought
forward as an abstract proposition simply to confer the
government as understand it, the power to grant, when
ever 1t shall fit the rank of lieutenant general by brevet
for meritorous services for one voted lay it the
table, because it abstract proposition nothing
and knew OF nothing which seemed in my Judgment to call
for step Of that Sort had also my mind the fact tha,
the Senate under quite different circumstances had another
question OF this description under consideration at very
mote period But if to be made, it has been made,
question whether to award this to the individual nd
Gated in the remarks Of gentlemen, and am by my
express an opinion upon the services of that individual
shall be compelled to vote for this resolution appreciate
those services as highly any gentleman that has spoken
this SUBJECT would be prepared to award to that gentle
man, if his before this body that need Of merit
which he richly deserves Inasmuch as gentlemen have
thought proper to connect his with this resolution and
suppose that designed and intended confer this ap
pointmen upon him, shall very cheeuy vote for the
solution
Mr.. SEWARD It is precisely for the reason that il is
not departure from what has heretofore obtained in this
Government, that in favor Of this resolution and il is
precisely for the reason that occasion calls for it. that wish
follow out the line OF safe and well timed pecedents from the
day when the independence of this country declared until
now. has been the habit Of Congress award honors to
soldiers who had distinguished themselves in the service the
country The records of Congress show that its thanks were
presented sometimes than occaion each
distinguished generals of the revolutionary The records
show han every in which have been engaged the
public thanks have been awarded soldiers and TO seamen
who have distinguished themselves in the military and naval
service The time has when an acknowledgment ol
this kind due to the eminent hero of the late war with
Mexico.
Senators here who oppose this resolution say that they are
willing to adhere 10 the ancient that they willing
to thanks willing medals willing to vote swords
but that they will adopt the measure of voting ,re or
the title Of office. Sir the eminent captain who has been
alluded to- has achieved distinction heretofore unknown u
attained in the military service of this country He carried
the successfully the gates and TO the palace Mexico
He sabdued the country and restored the relations Of pence
Having achieved this great triumph Of the national he
suspended from bis command, and the command of the
army devolved upon another soldier He home from
Mexico under the implied censure Of his Government.
Mr.. FOOTE. Will the honorable Senator allow me TO
interrupt him for single moment simply wish to sug
gest to him that if he is friend Of the proposition he
tanly pursuing line Of remark less calculated to
d, feat the measure.
4 Mr.. SEWARD. thank the honorable Senator. trust
no such consequence will follow. suppose the Senate is
capable of appreciang and willing appreciate all the cir
cnmsances which distinguish this from all others. 1t is
because Of the peculiar bancy and glory of his achieve
men and because of the peculiar circumstances in which
nat ocer became involved afterwards implying before the
world some national injustice that seems to be
.nnehy nght and just TO confer not of the ordinary
on nonor such as the voting Of resolution Of thanks
.. tne striking OF medal the voting of sword to this
soldier, but that there should be mode Of
suitable the circumstances so peculiar II
io Una. reason find myself constrained to vote
Tor the passage OF this resolution.
Nor iniurous ..-..t