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

they might look forward to- Nothing in the world bu
/ post captain No, sir il was no such thing rs thai
higher, holsr. and more ore generous feeling Ii wa,
that patriotic impulse which resides in the breast OF
every who reflects that he has country and that
that country is entitled his best services, his nobes
efforts, and which leads him ask other reward
other honors. than the Consciousness Of duty well per-
formed and the acknowledgment Of that duty by those
| in whose behalf il is rendered. #s .It
Sir, when you have army and navy composed Of
such men, you may bid defiance to the worldyour flag
shall hoatln triumph over every sea, protecting your
conmece and carrying your name everywhere ii floats.
But sir. when these motives nsufcient-when the
honorable impulses OF patriots and patriotism in
sufficient 10 nerve their in the day Of battle, in the
rely upon those who signing for the and gartes
mat royalty coners upon its pimpshen, er the down
fall o. the republic has commenced then sir the histo-
rian may begin to chronicle the downfall OF the desnies
o republics then we may see, sir, that which led our
armies and laves 10 victory is extinct; the honorable
the generous. and deserving impulses which command
the admiration of the world everywhere have given
way to that longing and signing for honors which il is
said is the only mode by which to contend success
fully against the mistress OF the Now, sir it is be-
cause we have had men governed by different impulses
and by different moves-it ia because we have men who
look TO such honors, who desire such rewards,
who look TO their consciences and the appreciation
Of their fellowmen for the services they might render,
that the past history OF country tells much for our
honor. our glory, and our success But, sir want to
adhere to the old paths think the Of the revolu-
ton and the OF The last wa--bareooted, starving,
and hungry-looked for no other honors and no other
emoumenis than what this patriotism cOniers, and in the
consciousness oil duty well performed want TO ad-
here to those times and those days The experiment
has been tried and well tried II has carried through
three Wars--he war OF the revolution, the war with
England, and the war with Mexico ! am not will
ling to depart from system which we have tried so
long, and which has served well, 10 copy alter the
| fashions of the monarchs OF Europe. am glad the
resolution has been put upon this ground am glad the
true basis upon which rests has been brought out in such
bright c0los before the Senate that vote now
! understandngly-so that we know when we vote for a
Fonffb
system which has served us 90 well and 80 long, TO copy
after the fashions OF governments OF the Old World, from
which he had hoped we were 80 far separated Sir, IT
no reason had been suggested before this think the
opponents OF this measure should give credit to the hon
orable senator from Kentucky tMr. CLAY] for having
brought out so boldly for them so that now whoever
votes for this resolution votes undeTsiandlng!y.
| Mr.. SEWARD Mr. President, for precisely the rea-
son that II is not departure from the custom which
has obtained in this country am in favor OF This resolu
on-precsely for the that am willing to follow
out safe and wel-rcd precedents From the day when
the independence OF this country declared until now,
It has been the habit OF Congress to award honors to
soldiers and captains who had distinguished thense yes
the service OF their country The records OF Congress
show that thanks have been presented than
olutonary The records Of Congress show that in
every war In which we have been engaged thanks have
been awarded TO soldiers and to who had distin
guished themselves n the military and naval service.
The time has come when an honor Of this kind is due
the most eminent surviving hero OF the late war Win
Mexico. Hq. ssss.
willing 10 adhere to the ancient course they are will
ling to vote thanks, vote q medal, or vote sword
bu, they will not adopt new measure Of voting The title
been alluded to has achieved distinction heretofore un
known and unaltaned in the military service OF this
country He carried the SUCCESSFULLY to the gates OF
Mexico He subdued the country and restored the rea-
tons of peace. Having achieved this great triumph Tor
the national arms be suspended from his command.
and the command OF the army was devoved upon another
SOLDIER and he home from Mexico under the implied
lCenSure of his government. r
Mr.. Foo rE, (interposing) Will the honorable sena-
tor allow to interrupt him for few minutes, TO allow
suggest if he is really friend b the proposition,
that he is purs Hng line OF remark which must more or
less, impede the passage OF the resolution
MIR. SEWARD. thank the honorable senator. trust
that no such will follow. suppose this
Senate capable OF apprecaling and willing TO appre-
ciate the circumstances which distinguish this case
which make it distinct one by itself Therefore, be-
OF the peculiar brancy and glory OF the achieve
mens and because of the peculiar circumstances m which
that officer became involved afterwards, implying before
he world some national injustice, It seems to me
now TO be eminenty right and just to confer not merely
one OF the ordinary tributes OF honor such as Iesolu
ton OF thanks, medal or sword to this distinguished
soldier, but The same thing, with some expression
of the national sentiment corresponding TO the peculiar
circumstances which require It's manifestation. For
that reason, lind myself constrained TO vote for the
passage OF this resolution Nor can see any injurious
cons equences tina, will arise from IT, II is said II we
create the office by bevet, II will he hereafter de-
manded OF Congress to establish the office IN fact De-
leye the American people. instead OF degenerallng are
growing wiser and better every day and we may safely
trust to guard the public interests, pub
lie welfare, and public fame Let do hat Just, and
trust to poslerily They will do what they shall find
just and WISE II ia for these reasons shall vote Tor the
resolution.
Mr. FOOrE. should like to understand what we
are doing. Iflhe language which have beard various
gentlemen this occasion be Jusuhed by the facts
and this is intended principally, If not alone, as us
compliment to military services OF pre- emneny dstn
guished character objection Whatever TO the
resolution Yet has been hlnled 10 me that il is ex
pecled that large additional pecunIary recompcnse is
TO be provided in the event that the resolution
should pass in iis present FORM II any gentleman who
informed on this subject can enlghten me ~ regard
to this particular point, shall certainly be obliged to
him repeat that il has been suggested that If is in
contemplation provide by law for large annual s-
pend in addition to the pay OF major general for the
benefit of particular military oHicer III case we shall
adopt this resolution suppose that at The presen, time our
army officers general sufficiently well paid; II the
contrary the case for shall always be ready TO
supply deficiencies; and II the distinguished gentleman
alluded will be content to receive the pay which ne s
now receiving, but moderate amount IN additlon y
for one shall certainly have the only objection which
could possibly entertain TO the proposition before us en-
reIy removed In the present state OF uncertainty upon
he delicate point to which have referred, am not GER
tain as yet how shall vote this resolution. and
shall decline absolutely committing myself TO ITS support
until some better informed the subject shall give
tina. great increase Of pay = designed
sively formal and mered recognition OF high public
services to the nation in fields of fenown where immOs-
tai glory won for the American name and people.
honor the nsrous parsonage alluded 10 often IN the
bestowed upon MIN this occasico is IN
my judgment not At all beyond his deserts As patriot,
Recognise him entitled 10 the most profound respect
a. indsl and accomplished EenefemaA, he pos-
seesee nv es,ee ard affection the victor upon many
well-f1ught eld in which the national honor was
~ nd hA Il