Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25

by the Senate and by the country, and shall conne
myself rather TO the explanation Of my general views in
relation TO II than to any specific objections made here
elsewhere That object Is provide mode in which an
appropriate mark of public appreciation may be conferred
upon Gen. Scott for his eminent military services in
Mexico, This purpose is not indeed expressed in the bill
ITSELF because being legislative measure all we do
in legislative capacity is the grade leaving
to the appointing power to fill it upon its own responsi
bilty We may of course be sure that the honor viii be
conferred upon Gen Scott and know the terms Of the
BILL have already said that it cannot afterwards be
conferred upon any other person. as the law Eso aeo
expires upon the happening Of Vacancy
All nations, sir, and we among them, have adopted the
policy the justice indeed Of concrrpg rewards for dis
tngushed military services These tokens OF the graft
tude of country not onyprecions to those
receiving Them and who haze gained their title to them
by the tolls and trials and exposures and suferngs OF
perous profession, but they become encouragement
incentive to others t. follow in the same career and
hope for the distinctions character of high and
jealous honor is essential to the efficiency of any military
establishment. 1t IL not cold performance of duty
which raise it to proper standard but there must
be an esprit du corps spirit Of emulation, striving with
another generous indeed, but active and ceaseless
wherever there duties to be fulfilled honor be
acquired whether in the Fortress in the camp the
battlefield. a,'E .tt- rg.s
And think understand the feelings of the American
army and say, with perfect conviction Of the
truth that no not believe there is another military
Establishment in the world which exceeds it in the great
characteristics Of honor, patriotism discipline and yalor
And have heard with great pleasure the just and elo
quent remarks of the Senator from Illinois Mr. SHIELps)
upon this branch Of the subject and indeed upon the
whole question. The army has always done its duty to
the country and often under circumstances of the great
est difficulty and danger and hope the country will al
ways be disposed to deal with it in spirit of Justice and
kindness.
The granting Of additional brevet rank for gallant
vices on the battlefield may be considered part
national policy sanctioned bypractice and the ap-
probation Of the country As to titles such grant
ed elsewhere, thank God have to bestow; and
trust shall never live to the day when pecuniary
rewards will be conferred upon military men, except
sions for injuries actually sustained in the line Of their
duty agreeaby present system Anadditional bre
vet grade is the true official reward which service
offers, and it 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 exerons received the acknowledgment Of their
good conduct by promotions and in many nstana
ces by more than one where more than one chance
OF distinction presented ITSELF and seized in the proper
spirit he who planned and conducted those perlous
nroads into the heart Of the enemys country is the only
living officer OF the army excluded from this distribution
OF rewards gratifying to the just pride of soldier
And why sthis? Nobecause his eminent merits were net
felt and acknowledged for such injustice found place
in the hearts of the people, but because he won almost
forty years ago. in other fields but with equal gaantry
the highest grade known to system. And though he
had other services to render had other rewards
Offer in the line Of his duty without legislative
provision The gradations in military establishment
and do not know why the designation changed to
first leutenants, captains, majors eutenantcolones
colones and generals and there
we have always stopped with the exception of the Office
OF chief during the revolutionary war; and
Of the arrangement for the return of Gen. Washington
the military service of the country during difficulties
with France when the position of commander ofthe army
commissioned as acknowledgement conferred upon
him. but was afterwards changed to that Of general The
armies of the United States 1.,6a
alude to this merely interesting incident in
military history, and not precedent for our action
now or hereafter for Washington stood alone in charac
ter and services, and in the hearts of his countrymen
and in my opinion in the annals of the world and as his
career was without example, the personal distinctions
attached to him should remain his own, furnishing no
precedent for future application
And it is in this spirit of jealous reverence for the name
and the fame of Washington that shall ask my friend
from Alabama Mr.. CLEMESs) to consent to the change
OF word in his amendatory resolution by substituting
the words created established for rerued so that this
grade may be introduced without reference to any
previous proceedings The mantle Of Washington fell on
no man; aud have an indispensable nhieaiinn
And besides proposition may raise question had
better avoid, when avoid it easily and SO pro-
perly The Office Of lieutenant general directly
introduced into service The Office created that
of commanders Of tho army, ssto be commissioned
lieutenant general" and who "authorxed COM
mand the armies Of the United States Here it will be
seen that the naked grade Of lieutenant general is
provided for but that the designation is to be given
high officer, charged with the command Of all our military
force question arose respecting the consttuonalty
of this arrangement because il seemed interfere with
the constitutional right of the President to sbe COM
mander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United
States &C. And therefore, ut subsequent session of
Congress- this arrangement repealed and provision
was made for the appointment of general Of the armies
OF the United States desire to leave sacred and
touched office expressly created for Washington and
also to avoid any constitutional question upon this subject
To render the proposed obnoxious the grade
of Acknowledgment has been charged with being arsto-
cratic and unsuted TO the nature Of institutions. 1t
is rather difficult to treat absurdan objection seriously
What makes ii nrstocntc? Not the name, for have
with higher sounding titles though with
less rank and we in the States and
believe, also, lieutenant generals in some Of them.
Where we shall stop in military grades is mere question
OF expedency, depending existing circumstances, and
on the extent Of our establishments At one time during
the administration Of Mr.. jefferson il was proposed
believe by Gen. Dearborn then Secretary of War; have
no higher officer than colonel and for many years. from
the death Of Gen. Wayne indeed until the war Of 1872,
with the exception OF the increased establishment aris-
ing out of the French difficulties, to which / have
already referred, we had none higher than briga-
diergenera which the rank of Gen. wilkinson who
more arstocratc in military grade than in another
Experience has shown that these gradaons essential
to efficient service, and where they shall stop is as
have said, question Of Legislative discretion We
do not now need the permanent position of lieutenant
general in army, do foresee when we shall.
And this conviction was the Of the objection first
took to this measure. 49, l
Iadyert to the general considerations have Just pre-
sened not all for the creation Of the grade
but to repe the charge of its aristocrac character SO
well calculated to excite preudices against it. My
for its creation is that il will enable the proper autho
rty to render appropriate testimonial to the services
of Gen. Scott same manner as has been rendered
N fa4 Ia rnJk L.tk1c .~Ik