Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-31

used it in reference to the supposton that military
title is title OF nobility 1t was to that that confined
the remark. | intended inyidous alusion to any
gentleman
Mr.. WALKER. / attempted, in my humble place to
answer that point when made by the Senator from Ill.,
nois who introduced the resolution He had asked in
ply me- il there not distinction between title OF
nobility and any title Office which present exists in
the army, and ho instanced the title OF captain major,
colonel and majorgeneral replied to that and admit
ted that when duty imposed there must be term
designation applicable to the persen who discharges
that duty then added believe prudenty, if any
Senator could point any duty to be associated with
the style title which this resolution proposes to be-
stow have not yet heard to that question.
have not heard alleged that there is any duty to be
associated connected with the title style proposed
to be conferred by the resolution also stated, and
did the Senator from Illinois, mr. DOUGLAS, that il
in my power to determine what style or title should
be bestowed upon the who may hereafter equal Gen.
Scott Gen. Washington, il any shall equal them. The
Senator from Michigan says that when the occasion shall
arise the exchequer of the nations gratitude may be
safely drawn upon for the reward to be bestowed Re-
ward to be bestowed! What is implied in that term
That we shall go from step to STEP from to
ther until finally shall have to adopt what is only
seemingly infraction of the constitution but mani
testify direct violation of it, in bestowing what known
to be distinction, a title Of nobility.
What is the spirit of title Of nobility? 1t is mark,
appeation, style, or title which Is merely comp
menary, merely titular and which particularly sets an
individual apart distinguished above his fellow
for something which he has DONE Will the Senator
venture go further from person person. from de-
gree to degree of service until he shall have reached that
point? If he is not willing do that let say that he
is in my opinion about to take the first step of de-
parture fran the Constitution Whether he does does
not perceive the force of the constitutional objection he
is taking the first step in this degree title
of preferment upon an individual unassociaed with any
demand upon him for service.
Perhaps it may be inferred by some that those who
make opposition to the resolution would dspaage the
character of Gen. Scott for his military services Far be
any such design from The who will not acknow-
ledge in Gen. Scott the highest degree of eminence
military man must either not have read and studied his
tory and the very modern history of the country he
must have been unable to appreciate it when he did
read it.
Sir there circumstances associated with the Mex
lean war which, in some respects place Ger. Scott pre-
emlnentiy above all other military But is this
reason why should confer him a mere title of dis
tncon unassociated with duty? Take the Of the
attack upon the city of Mexico In the first attack the
American army under Gen. Scotia little army of less
than nine thousand before q city with popu-
lation of more than sixty thousand and with armed
force Of twenty-five thousand to defend it. The Ameri
fought the opposing army they vanqushed the foe
The foe rereatng they entering the gates Of
would then have been easy for army in the flush Of
its excitement and exharation of spirit inpelled by
feelings of ambition actuated by the events of the
men to rush in and take the city, and put end to the
matter. But that done? No. If that had been
done it might have been attributed to the exhilaraton
of spirit natural to military men under such circum-
Il
mstice The armisce existed for days. In the
time the enemy within the walls arrnng; the
citizens themselves took up arms to resist the final and
ultimate attack anticipated The fact is believe that
the armstce sought the part of Santa Anna to
enable his forces render themselves strong posi-
be The Americans sat quietly down. their blood cooled
and they remained until the armistce at end
There is moral associated with the uprising of that
little army with mighty odds against them which, think,
unprecedented in the annals of warfare They rose
they resolved to take the city, though contained po
puation of sixty thousand and armed force of twenty
five thousand within its walls; and without excitement,
by the exercise Of cool deliberate courage they
marched forward and took it. When within its walls it
found that the barricaded and fortified
by batteries Of cannon and that the Immediate thorough
fare to the citadel could not be travelled and Gen. Scott
and his army turned aside they forced their way through
solid walls and blocks Of buildings until they reached
point where they could actually command the city.
Never before in the history Of warfare, in my opinion,
there such feat accomplished with much cool
blood and courage. And standing above all, and COM
manding all in that transaction, the man whom it s
proposed to honor Sir it, in my view of the Con-
stitution, it in my power would bestow the high
est possible honor upon him. But really think that this
resolution is departure from the Constitution and be-
lievng cannot vote for it. 1t proposes to confer
uar honor infringing the spirit of the Consttu
tion which prohibits the besowa of titles Of nobility and
for that cannot vote
Mr.. SEWARD. Mr.. President for a period of FIVE
years. in FIVE consecutive sessions of the Senate of the
United States the proposition has been submitted to
thorze the President of the United States to confer the
rank of breyet lieutenant general upon the commander Of
the American army in the late war with Mexico. Cir
in the condition Of the country have prevent
ed all those occasions that dspassonate consdera-
ton which should have been given to the subject This
is time of peace and of political harmony throughout
the country 1t is time when the country is ready and
willing such honor bestowed upon this venerable
general as he truly deserves have nothing
gratifying since have been in this place than the very
general disposition which is manifested the other side
Of the chamber 20 receive this proposition to consider it,
TO weigh 1t carefully and to give final and just decision
upon it. convinced sir, that every word that has
been said by every Senator who has given his testimony
to the character Of Gen. Scott soldier, civilian,
as n patriot, and christian sincerely spoken;
and do most fully believe that the Senators who oppose
the proposition oppose conscientouy upon the grounds
which they state and upon convictions Of public duty
which they have adopted and not from any opposition to
the distinguished citizen
Mr.. President, what be given why the pro-
position shall not be adopted 1t is said by the gentle
who last addressed the Senate that il is proposing
to confer brevet military rank which is equivalent to
comforting title Of nobility, aud that it IS therefore, in
spirit at least violation Of the Constitution IL seems
me- sir that if there any violation Of he Consu
ton in this measure the Constitution has been violated
and wounded every year for the last fifty years. every
year since il was established An army organized,
has various ranks various ascending grades Of Office
The first which needs be noticed is the rank Of Cadet
and the last and highest is that of commander-n-chief
In the very step of the organization Of army we
appoint cadets who certain period to qualify
themselves for filing places in the army OF the United
States When they have done that and have acquired
the education necessary to fit them for active SERVICE the
very first thing VIC do If there is vacancy in the rank
above them is to promote them to that vacancy. Tho
next rank is that Of second lieutenant out inasmuch as
the Office second lieutenant is generally filed, re-
sort and have resored from the earliest adoption Of
military organization to the practice Of promoting the