Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-01-08
General SCOii's LieutenanCy.

As a salvo to General Scott for his defeat, q
proposition is before congress to confer upon
him the Office of Lieutenant General Itmeets
with favor from both Wings and Democrats
The Office itself, confers no new power upon
the General, as he is now chief in authority
under the President. It is conferred as n mark
of honor, and will add some two thousand dol
lars to his annual salary. In the discussion of
this bill, Mr.. Hale made a speech somewhat
agtating in its character, and which contains
some of his very good hits at the institution
and its advocates. The following will give
summarily his objections to the measure:
Mr. Hale said he was opposed to the whole
thing. On former occasion, it was his privil-
ego to have voted in minority of one on the
resolutions returning the thanks of Congress to
Gen. Scott and Gen. Taylor for their victories.
lie opposed these resolutions on the same
ground that men in the British Parliament re-
fused to vote thanks to the British officers for
victories gained over the American colonies
Those men could not discriminate between
voting thanks for victories gained in an unjust
war, and voting to justify that war. He was
like them. lie could not discover the differ
encc. lie could not vote to confer this honor
for victories in the Mexican war, when ho be-
lievod that war to be atrocious and unjust
marking the nation as rapacious and the age as
baTbarous. lie believed then and now that
that war was commenced in injustice, and could
not be justified. When tho history of that
war should be impartially written, his judgment
would be sustained. The real and substantial
reasons for that war were hree-lst, Mexico
was weaker than ourselves: ID, she had prov.
inces which we wanted and she would not sur =
render; and 3D., We wanted those provinces for
the purpose of extending slavery. A war COM
menced for such reasons he could not Justify.
lie said this compliment to General Scott was
rather late. These victories were gained years
ago, Congress had once refused this honor. II
thcrc were any sincerity in the desire to COM
piment Gen. Scott, the opportunity of giving
him substantial ard gratifying one had passed
by. The vote Of November the I'd, could not
now be rcconsdered. This measure at this
day looks as if it were intended to break the
)"H VI &NONcuOtIt W lnc injuries tnCn
suffered by slipping in this Lieutenant General
ship. lie then enlarged upon the recent cam
paign-the two platforms-the policy of the
two parties-the union of the Barnburncrs
with the Democratic party-the triumph of
Van Buren's party over that Of Mr.. Cass-the
policy of Gen. Pierco-his cabinet, &c.
Mr.. Clemens said he could not reply to the
Senator from New Hampshire. How could he
reply with becoming temper, to a man who had
in the Senate uttered a libel on his country p
If she had been guilty of the foul wrong with
which he had charged her, it was his duty to
have thrown tho mantle of charity over the
fault rather than to have exposed it. He trust
cd that there was no man in the Senate with
heart so bigoted as to vote against this measure
from party considerations.
Mr.. Adams replied to Mr.. Hale, defending
the Mexican war; and running conversation
took place as to the several platforms on the
subject of the fugitive slave law.
Mr.. Charlton supported the resolution, and
replied to Mr.. Hale,
Mr.. Pratt did the same.
Mr.. Chase replied to Mr.. Pratt.
Mr.. Borand withdrew his substitute, and
tho question was then taken, and the resolution
was passed by vote of 3i to l2.