Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-12-25

WAsnINGToN, Dec. 81, 1852

SEsATE.-The joint resolution, authorizing
the Presiden, 10 confer the rank Of Lieuen-
ant-General by Brevei, for military services
was then taken up.
Mr.. Cass said-When this subject was be-
fore US, some months since, | had insuper-
able objections, and so expressed myself, TO
the form in which it was presented. The
bill, as originally introduced, created The
brevet grade of Lieutenant General, and
rendered it permanent part OF our military
establishment. | was utterly opposed TO
such an arrangement, and desired the office
TO be temporary one 10 be limited 10 the
occasion which seemed to render il proper.
proposed an amendment, which had in
view this object, and avowed the determine
ton 10 support the measures, # it were
adopted, and 10 vote against il, if il were
rejected. The bill now before us embraces
the principle of my amendment, providing
that the law shall terminate when the office
has beer once filled and become vacant, aud
shall therefore cheerfnlly give il my sup
port.
With the rank of Major.General, our mil
iiary grades have stopped, with the eycep.
tion of the Office of Commander iu.Chief,
during the Revolutionary war, and of the
arrangement for the return of General WASH
| ingon 10 the service of the country during
our difficulties with France, which when
the position of Commander of the army.
commissioned as Lieutenant General, was
conferred upon him, was afterwards changed
TO that of General OF the armies of the Uni.
ted States alude 10 this merely as an in
| lerestiug incident of our revolutionary histo-
ry, aud not as precedent for any action
now or hereafter, for Gen Washington
stood alone in character and services, and in
the hearts Of his coGnirymen, aud in the
annals Of the world. As his career was
without example, so the personal distinctions
attached to him, should remain his own, fur.
ton. In this spirit of jealous reverence for
the name and fame of Washington. he wuulc
ask to substitute the word "crcaledr for ''re
vived," so that this grade may now be in
troduced, without reference to any previou.
proceedings. The mantle of Washington
fell on no man. and have an insuperahl,
objection to connecting any one with hi
honors, 10y reyivIug them for another. T,
render the proposed measure obnoxious, tn,
grade Of Lieutenant General has been char
2ed with being arstocralir, and unsuted Il
the nature Of our Institutions II is ralhc
difficult 10 treat 50 absurd an objection srri
ousIy. MIR. Cass met these objections by il
IusraIoHS showing its absuriiiy, and the
said My reason for the creation Of this of
fee, is that it will enable the proper auihori
iy 10 render an appropriate testimonial /
the services Of Gen Scott, in the same man
ner as il has been rendered to every office
in the army he led to battle and 10 victory
II is rot necessary 10 review the life of Ger
Scott, that his countrymcn may be able
appreciate what he has done for their inre
} esis and honor. Almost half century ha
elapsed since his name and his deeds wei
"househod words" familiar to the Amer
can people through the vhole extent of tn
Republic. Bat his campaign in Mexico wa
: the crowuiug act of his military lie, an
: it will ever ill one Of the brightest page
f Of our history.