The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-22


svowed The determination 70 support The measure Il j
were adopted and 10 vote against ~ II Il were rejected
The bill now before us Introduced By the honorable sen
aloT iron Alabama MIR. CLEAESs,l embraces the prin-
cple OF my amendment, providing that the law shall ter
inmate when the Office has been once lled and become
vacant and shall therefore eheefuy give Il my sup.
port The object OF this proposition. is well understood
by the Senate and by the country, and shall conne my
self rather 10 the explanation OF my general views
alon TO than 10 any specific objections made here
elsewhere. That object 10 10 provide mode IN which
an appropriate mark OF pubc spprobaon may be con-
fened upon General Scott for his eminent military
vices in Mexico This purpose is not indeed expressed
IN the bill ITSELF because being legislative measure all
we can 40 IN our legislative capacity is 10 create the
Eaa sss e se poas 2 OIL
the honor will be conferred upon General Scott and we
know by the terms OF The bill, have already said,
that cannot afterwards be conferred upon any other
person. as the law ipse faeo expires upon the happen
ing Of a vacancy,
All nations, sir. and we among them. have adopted
the policyihe justice, indeed-of confening rewards
Tor distinguished military services. These tokens OF the
gratitude Of Country not only precious memorials
those receiving them, and who have gained their title
to them by the tolls, and trials, and exposures and suffer
ngs sf perlons profession, but they become
agement, incentive. TO others 10 follow in the
career, and to hope for the same distinction.
character OF high and jealous honor is essential TO
ah so sesaog OF any military establishment l. no,
standard but there must be esprit du corps, spirit oil
emulation striving with one another, generous indeed,
but active aud ceaseless. wherever there duties 10 be
fulfilled or honor 10 be acquired whether in the fortress,
in the camp, or on the battlefield, And think un-
deIsapd the feelings Of the American army and
say with perfect conviction Of the truth that do not
believe there is another military establishment in the
world which exceeds Il in the great characteristics of
honor, patriotism, discipline, and valor and have heard
with great pleasure the just and eloquent remarks OF the
senator from Illinois Mr. SHIELDs upon this branch of
The subject and indeed upon the whole question. The
asmy has always done its duty the country and often
under circumsanceso Of the greatest difficulty and danger
and hope the country will always be deposea 10 deal
with it in a spirit Of justice and kindness,
The granting OF additional brevet rank Tor gallant
vices the battlefield may be considered now as part
OF our national policy sanctioned by practice and by the
granted elsewhere, thank God We have none 10 hestow
and trust shall live to see the day when any
pecuniary rewards will be conferred upon military men,
except pensions Tor injuries actually sustained in the
line Of their duty, agreeaby TO present system An
additional breyef grade 10 the true official reward which
service offers, and il well becomes the nature of our
institutions.
The campaigns in Mexico were fertile in glorious re-
Suits and all who contributed to them by distinguished
personal exeons received the acknowledgment OF their
good conduct by braye. promotions; and in many in
stances by more than one, where than chanca
af distinction offered ITSELF and was seized in proper
spirit He who planned and conducted one OF those
perous nroads into the heart Of the enemys country is
the only living officer o. the army excluded from this dis
ibution of rewards, gratifying to the JUS! pride OF
soldier And why Is this Not because his eminent
merits were not ie and acknowledged-for such in
Iusce f0lDd place Inc neaTts oil the peOple-but
be won almost forty years ago. in other fields, but
with equal gallanry, the highest grade known 10 our
system. And though he had other services 10 rem
der, we had no other rewards 10 offer, in the line
of his Duty without legislative provision The
gradatlons in military establishment rise from second
third ieptenants formerly ensgns land do not know
why the designation was changed0 10 first ieuenanls
captains majors Lieutenant colonies, colonies. brgader
generals, and major generals and there have always
stopped with the exception OF the office OF commander
nchef during the revolutionary war and Of the arrange
ment for the return OF General Washington to the mill
tary service Of the country daring difficulties with
France, when the position OF commander Of the army
commissoned lieutenant general, was conferred upon
him, bat was afterwards changed to that OF general Of
ar armies of he United States
aliuds 10 ,his merely interesting incident in
military history, and not as precedent for action
or hereafter for Washington stood alone in charac
ter and services, and in the hearts Of his counlrypen
and, in my opinion, in the annals OF the world And
his career was without example. SO the personal dslinc.
tons attached TO him should remain his own, furnishing
no precedent for future application.
And it is in this spirit Of Jealous for the
and the fame OF Washington, that shall ask my friend
from Alabama Mr.. CLEMESs TO consent TO the change
OF word in his amendaory resolution, by substituting
grade may be introduced without reference TO any
previoss proceedings The mantle of Washington fell
man. and have an nsuperable objection to connect
any with his honors by reyvng them Tor another.
And, besides the proposition may raise question we
had better AVOID when avoid II easily and so
properly. The Office OF lieutenant general was never d.
that of commander OF the army" to be commissioned
as lieutenant general and who was authorized to com
mapd The armies OF the United States Here will be
that the naked grade OF lieutenant general is not
for but that The designation is to be given TO
high officer charged with the command OF all our militia
~ force question arose respecting the constitutional
ity OF this arrangement, hecaase il seemed to interfere
with the constitutional right OF the President 10 /" be com
m ander in chief OF the army and navy OF the United
States" &c And therefore, at a subsequent session oil
Congress- this arrangement repealed, and provision
was made for the appointment OF general OF the ar
untouched office expressly created Tor Washington,
and also to avoid any constitutional question upon tbs
subject
To render the proposed measure obnoxious, the grade
OF lieutenant general has been charged with being arsio
cratic and unsued 10 the nature OF institutions II
is rather difficult 10 treat absurd objection serious
w. What makes II arisiocratie' Not the name; for we
with less rank, and we have captain generals in the
States, and believe aso euienant generals IN some oil
them Where shall stopin military grades is a mere
question OF expedeney. depending existing crcum-
stances and on the extent OF our establishment
AT one lime, during the administration OF Mr.. Jefer-
son. il proposed, believe by Gen. Dearborn, then
Secretary OF War; tohave no higher officer than colonel
and for macy yearsfom the death OF Gen. Wayne, ia
deed ill The OF lsl2, with The exception OF the in
creased establishment arising out OF The french difcul
lies 10 which | have already referred-we had none
bic cher than brigadIer general, which was the rank OF
Gen. Wilkinson who commanded the army for many
years There is nothing more arsocrac in one military
grade than in another Experience has shown that these
traditions are essential 10 efficient service and where
hey shall stop is, "a have said, question OF
legislative discussion We do not now need the perma-
nent position oil lieutenant general in army, nor do
foresee when we shall And this conviction was the
cause OF the objection first took to this measure adj
has, asaI