The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-22

pTOVIucU
en- TO high officer, charged with the command of
all our military force. question arose respecting
the constutionahty OF this arrangement. because
it seemed to interfere with the constitutional right
| of the President to "the commander-in-chef of
| the army and navy of the United States" &c
And therefore, at subsequent session OF Congress,
this arrangement was repealed, and provision was
made for the appointment of general OF the
armies of the United States" desire to leave
sacred and untouched an office expressly created
| for Washington, and also to avoid any constitu
tional question upon this subject.
| To render the proposed measure obnoxious, the
| grade of lieutenant general has been charged
with be ng arisocratic and unsuited to the nature
of institutions. 1t is rather difficult 10 treat
80 absurd objection seriously. What makes 1t
aristocratic? Not the name; for we have maj or
generals with higher sounding tites, though with
less rank, and ave have captain generals in the
States and | believe also lieutenant generals in
some of them. ~ here we shall stop in military
grads is q mere que ston OF expediency, depend
Ing on existing circumstances, and on the extent
OF csta bishment.
At one time duting the administration of Mr..
Jctfers It was proposed, believe, by General
Dearborn, then Secretary of War, to have no
higher officer than a colonel; and for many years
from the death OF General Wayne, indeed till the
war of 1912, with the exception of the increased
establishment arising out OF the French Difficult
tes, to which have already referred, we had none
higher than hrigadicr general, which was the
rank Ct General Wilkinson, who commanded
the army for many years. There is nothing more
arstocratc in one military grade than in another.
Experience has shown that these gradations are
essential to efficient service and where they shall
shali stop IL, ns have said, mere question OF le
gIslative discretion. We do not now need the
permanent position Of lieutenant general in our
army, nor do | foresce when We shall. And this
conviction the cause of the objection | fret
took to this measure | adv ert to the general con
sderations have just presented not at all as rea
sons for the creation OF the grade but to repe the
charge of its aristocratic cha acter well calcu
lated to excite preiudices against it, My
TOR ts creation IL, that it viii! enable the proper
thorty TO render an appropriate testimonial to the
services OF General Scott in the same manner it
has been rendered to every officer in the army he
led to battle and victory who was entitled to the
distinction.
II is not necessary to review the life Of General
Scott that his Countrymen may be able to appre
ciate what he has done for their interest and
honor. Almost half a century has elapsed since
his name and his deeds household words ia
nar to the American people through the whole
extent Of the Republic But his campaign in Mex
co the crow ming act OF his military life, and
il will ever fill one OF the brightest pages Of our
history. desire, however, to do justice to Cen
ers Scott, but injustice 10 his colaborsrs in that
great work, by spirit Of partlsan ship, to which
we ever prone, and which would leave to his
Hountrymen but little concern in many glorious
| victories but to admire their splendOr and his
achievements. There is honor enough for all-tor
the living and the dead-and let US render it to all,
TO each indeed as he merits 1t. Nothing is gained
for the cause OF patriotism or OF truth by those in
vdious sncomiums, which, while they elevate one
depress many, by the contrast they exhibit Gen
eral Scott led TO Mexico an American army com.
posed of volunteers and regular troops. equal to
those to be found in any other service, be it where
it may, in physical power, in honor, in valor, in
patriotism, and in intelligence.
| The prog ess Of that army was almost without a
parallel In ancient or i'll modern warfare, by the
disparity or force 1t encountered and overcome
by the celebrity of its movements and by the uni
form success OF its operations, under
of great trial and difficulty, in the midst OF hostile
people, and cut off from their own country self.
dcDenicpt nd Sustained
persed or overthrow before our gallant country.
men. fortresses fell at their approach attack and
the capture of the capital terminated the campaign,
and, in fact, placed the nation at our mercy. One
incident " hich marked these splendid efforts gives
theiG deep interest md roma ntc charac Ter which
may seek in vain in the records of nat ional
tests. For many days our adventurous army was
lost TO their countrynen aud to the world. Re-
: lying upon the gallantry and superiority of his
troops, the general adopted the hardy measure,
wise as it proved by its success, but rash it
would have been denounced, had it failed, OF
abandoning his communications with the coast
and therefore with his country, and of committing
: the fate of his army to a forward movement into
the heart OF the cnenys territory, and to u vigor.
Gus attack upon the capital. We all remember
with what anxiety this decisive movement was re
gardcd AID how we waited with almost painful
solcitude for tidings from our brethren engaged
! IN perous conflict, and shrouded from our view
i by the cloud that rested upon them. But ere long
- this obscurity gave way like the veil that covered
! and then revealed the Trojan hero
m quinn ClrCUmusa Tepente
Sciudt &c uubes, ct In Rthera pengat Dur tum
e and we flag upon the towers Of Mexico
: and the campaign brought to n glorious con
J. | clusion.
It In these operations, gratifying to our prd,
, and SO honorable to our character, General Scot
e was the leader, the commander responsible to hi
country for their projection and their execution
= And well did he fulfil the task assigned to him.
e Bold and active in his movements, fertile in re
sources. and prompt in selling every advantage oil
| the errors OF his enemies, he displayed traits o.
t gene alship which have commanded the respect OF
E he world. and have placed him among the grea,
L captains of the age And these brilliant &C hieve
c ments have not only conferred imperishabe honor
8 | upon name, but they have added to our mora
o strength end standing among the nations of the
earth by the display of noble qualities which prov,
that American army is able 1t is willing Il
sand bet~ cen their country and her foes and t.
IT defend her rights and her interests in any exrem
n ty of difficulty or danger.
For his share in these splendid feats am Willing
It to make provision for comforting upon Genera
Scott this mark Of public appreciation, and thinl
d he we'll merits it.
J. measure 30 much if it were proposition to confe
this rank directly upon General Scott. He though
J. | the honor would be more manifest if Congress
would do directly, instead of creating the otic
y and leavins it to be filled by appointment mad
:. by the President AS the measure to be in
k sisted on, he moved to amend the joint resolution
II by substituting therefor another comforting upor
Major General Scott the brevet rank of lieuenan
IT general.
e Mr.. SHIELDS said the course proposed by thu
n Senator from Arkansas would be unconstitu tonal
d The President was clothed with the power Of ma k
e ing the appointment; Congre had only the powe
| of creating the rank
j. Mr.. BORLAND did not consider the mode pro
posed by him as unconstitutional.
= Mr.. CHASE followed in opposition to the rcsolu
t ton. He considered that additional ra nix coul,
n extend the fame or increase the honors now en-
n joycd by General Scott; his name was now wide
r spread as most gallant and uccessfu officer Fl,
If urged further that the honors and fame ACQUIRED
= in the civil pursuits of lile the glory of Franklin
g and Jefferson, as far exceeding those gained by
10 deeds in war.
Il Mr. ADAMS said b, had voted once to create
this rank of lieutenant general, and he had regret
n ! ted that vote ever since He could not now vot
; for Siini lar proposition
a Mr.. HALE said he opposed to the Who'll,
= measure, substitute and all. He had voted ono,
in minority Of one against resolutions returning
" the thanks Of Congress to General Scott and &c
erai Taylor for their conduct in Mexico. He hac
done because he acted on the same principl,
- that governed the men who in the British Parlia
mont voted against giving thanks to British Off
y GERS for victories gained over the American colo
>, niss In a war which they considered unjuat. Thea
men could not separate or dsting uish between re
Z turning thanks for victories gained in an unjus