The daily union., 1852-12-23
SENATE.
L,rurEsANT GENERAL ny BREyrr.

MIR. LHASE. WHtn
before the Senate. some two years since, felt myself
constrained To against IT, then gave silent vote
but now desire state briefly the reasons which con-
troll me.
by the honorable senator from Illinois, Mr SHIELDS ]
and by ,hs honorable senator from Michigan, Mr..
CAss II is to create rank in the army, tor the
purpose Of Distinguishing particular ndv vidual by con-
herring tina, rank upon him Now, II worth the cost =
is il expedent that American Congress should revive
this rank, which. has been stated BY the honorable
senator from Michigan, has been but once before CONFER
red in whole history as naiion ana then only upon
Washington and for growing out OF the cohdl-
ton of pakc affairs The best reward OF noble deeds is
The consciousness OF duty done That highest sup
nose the soldier as well as the civilian coves-
that consciousness will sustain the possessnr at all tunes
and under all circumstances, AMID opprobrum as well as
applause. constiiules reward WHICH he hnds IN ms
own breast and which il is impossible for any 10 lake
from him Now sir man wishes TO take one leaf
from any laurel which General Scott has won worn
no man desires 10 deprive him OF any lo OF that gratitude
which his country has freely offered TO HIM, to take
from him a little OF that worldwide renown which his
achievements have gained for him and the fame OF hls
achievements has gone wherever civilized man exists,
and may say wherever any language IS spoken. Our
are now called upon TO perform.
said moment since, repeating what had fallen from
the senator from Michigan; LMr CAss.l lhai this rank
and then il was created for the purpose 0 comforting II
upon man who was above all his compeers DO not
think the object OF the senator from Michigan, TO avoid
the inference that any 10 the peer OF Washington,
will be attained by changing the word 'revye for the
word .create" in this resolution. Change what you
nav the thing remains the fact s that you confer the
office which created for Washington upon another
distinguished person and whether you style it the 're
yival or the "cealon" of that office, makes differ
eDce in practical effect Why, sir although Washngto
carried the country through the war OF lhe revounon
was not thought necessary 10 create any new title Tor
him at its close he conferred upon his country the high
est OF all benefits he assured 10 her by his services IN
the field freedom and Independence. More than any
M nj hn
to us privileges and institutions which we now ENJOY
And yet whoever thought OF dignying him by new
title, by confelrlng upon bm any OF those gewgaW dis
tnctions which legislatures can create and which legls
laures can take away No, sir his reward was OF
different description IL found in the consciousness
of his own heart that he had conferred the greatest ben
es upon his country and upon the world and in thoss
grateful regards of the people who surrounded hin
everywhere he wen and distinguished HIM as hrst II
war; first peace, and first In the hearts OF his country
men," That was his distinction No lrappings OF office
no mere military title, distinction such as that yot
now propose TO confer. constituted any part o IT.
flowed from the great fountain OF his services, Nnt
was returned to him In the gratitude OF the people.
an averse 10 distinguishing any man by The llt
which was conferred upon Washington alone; and con
ieed on him only when supposed that he was i'm
meda,ey to be called into the actual service OF his coun
Try ID Ghe with France. remember The affecting ant
noble letter in which sgned his acceptance OF this
MISSION lie accepted not as mere rank mol as an hon
oraIy distinction, but as commission to render new ser
vices 10 his country and perous field Ii h
warrant for duty be done in the service OF hs country
moi q mere trapping oil oflce.
recollect very well. when this subject was under con
sdeation before. that was suggested on the part OF h
opponents OF this measure that we were entering upon
policy by coniering iiiles-mere itesas consid
eraon for military services. And IT was asked. where
is all this end And recoect very well that verl
distinguished supporter OF this measure said at that TINT
thai II the should occur in which II was necessary
be willing 10 grant the marshals baton, and to con
fer Whatever rank the usages Of European government
allow, for the purpose OF expressing the gratitude ant
All ri honorable
from Michigan and others say that there s no danger IL
words Ii the substantial rank and fern remain un
changed where is the danger OF conterrng higher Title
Why, sir who does not know that the substantial powe
Of Louis Napoleon two months ago was just as great al
now' Where then, according TO this arg umen,, was h'
harm OF granting 10 him the TILE OF Emperor and settling
The descent OF the empire in bis family None II mer,
power all TO regard. without respect 10 the ttu
lar distinction in which we array IT.
Now, | AN averse 10 this whole thing. We want
simple and economical government; and while agree
with The distinguished senator from Illinois lMr
SmrLDs) that IL s graceful and proper in the majority f
this chamber 10 render whatever oil honor they may
the distinguished leader oi Their opponents, s think
s not enpeden for ha, majority 10 disregard the pne
pes upon which they have poessed to stand before h'
American peopethose principles oil economy prudence
ugaly, and moderation which constitute some OF III
highest claims OF democracy 10 the acceptance OF th
American people at all. These principles do not sanction
The measure now proposed.
Mr. President, concur in much OF what has been 50
well and so elolueny said by the senator from lllno
lMr SHIEipsl IN regard 10 the brancy Of the achieve
menis OF army in the Mexican campaign. II was my
fortune my misfortune to be OF those who though
that the was unnecessarily commenced. II was mN
ioriune my msfortune TO be OF those who though
iha, the nspproprately closed Tor after h'
country had been actually conquered and our armies wer,
10 possession OF the Mexican capital, and government
better than Mexico had ever known was established, j
duty TO retain the control we bad acquired, and
afford opportunity 10 the Mexican people 10 establish
really free governments under American ausplees and
SIR differ from that senator far he seems 10 think
hat the victories OF war greater than the victories o
psace. Eat Otherwise | am willing TO accord whatever
need OF gratitude grateful country desires TO bestow
upon It's distinguished servants IN The field but, IN my
Judgment
Peace hath her victories, not ess renowned ibAa Ns
Aye, Mr. President peace has victories far glorious
lhan those OF war In my judgment, those eonquess "
lhe domain OF Nature which have been achieved by 2
Fulton and Morse are wothier OF distinguished honors
rom democratic people ihan The highest military
achievements. He who subjected The mighty power o
steam 10 the purposes OF man. and he who taught light
hns TO perform your errands boundless continents
these are far worher of tilles and distinctions II
les and distinctions TO be conferred than The mos
successful soldier Aye Nj President, and he who ut
lefs mighty thought mbodies great conception 10
living language, aud sends forth TO enlishten and CIV.
zs the world and to live through all ages besowlng
y benefits and blessings upon al men-he, too ~ my
judgment, s a greater cunqueror than the mgbtest war
ot, because he conquers the domain Of the human
Intellect
When Jefferson penned the Declaration Of Independ-
shce, and announced the only true basis OF govern
hent, the great truth "iba all are created equal
and sent that truth forth 10 fulfil it's sublime mission,
oyerturning thfones prncpsliies, and powers, he
achieved mghuer conquest Than any warrior who ever
ed armed hosts battle Peace, then, Mr.. President,
her great and illuslrious Victories hut the victories
cheyed on the field OF peace are not distinguished by
tglogies and lrumphs--decreed moi By legislative aeis.
ttrfth he ynlun