The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-02-11
REMARKS OF SENATOR CHASE
ON THE LIT. GENERALSfIIP.

OuNJSSis
i am averse 10 distinguishing any nal
bt The title which was conferred upol
Washington alone; and conferred upol
him only when il was supposed that h'
was Immediately to be called into the sc
tual service of bis county in the wa
with Franco. remember the affecting
and noble letter in which he signifet
his acceptance of the commission He
accepted i; notas mere rank, not as al
honorary distinction, but as commission
to render new services to lis country il
a new and perilous fold. 1t was bi:
warrant for duty TO be done in the SER
vice ofhis country, not mere irappiul
Of an tfiice.
secolleci very well, when this subjec
was under consideration before, that i
was suggested on The part of the orpo-
nens OF this measure chat we were enter
ing upon new policy by conlerrirg titles
mere tlles--as consideration fol
military services. And it was asked
where is all this TO end? And | rccol-
lect tvcry we'll that a very distinguished
supporter Of this measure said at that
time. that f the case should occur in
which i, was necessary, he was willing
10 grant the marshal's baton, and 10 con-
fer, whatever rank the usages Of European
Governments allow, for the purpose o
expressing The gratitude and admiration
Of our Republic. Now, my honorable
friend from Michigan and orhers say that
there is no danger in mere words. If the
substantial rank and power Ieman un-
changed, where is tho danger of confer
ring higher ii,le9 Why, sir, who does
moi know that The substantial power of
Louis Napoleon three long months ago
was just as great as now? Where, then,
according 10 his argument, was the harm
of granting him the liIe Of Emperor, and
setting the descent of the Empire in his
family? None, if mere power is all VIC
are to regard, without respect to the Ill
ular distinction in which we array it. .a
Now, | am averse TO this whole Thing.
We want simple and economical Gov
verTment, and while agree with the dis
ti,lguislled Senator from Illinois, Mr..
Shields. that is graceful and proper in
the majority in this chamber to rendor
whatever honor they may TO the dis,in-
guished leader of their opponents, | still
think j, is not cxpedient for that majority
TO disregard the principles upon which
they have professed 10 stand before tho
American people-those principles of
economy, prudence, frugaiity, and mod
Grafton, which constitute some Of the
highest claims Of Democracy to the &C
ccptance Of the American people al all.
These principles do not sanction the N neas-
ure now proposed,
Mr. President, concur in much Of
what has been so we'll and so eloqnen,ly
said by tho Senator from Illinois, Mr..
Shields in regard to the briiliancy Of the
achievements Of our army in the Mexican
campaign. II was my fortune or my mis-
fortune to be one OF those who thought
that the war was unnecessarily commenc.
ed. 1t was my fortune or misfortune to
be one Of those who thought that the
war was inappropriately closed; for, after
the country had actually bsen conquered,
and our armies were in possession of the
Mexican capital, and Government, bet
fer than Mexico had ever known, was
established, il was our duty TO retain the
contlol we had acquired, and afford an
opportunity to the Mexican people TO es
tablish really free Governments under
American auspices. And, sir, differ
from the Senator so far as lie Sc ems to
think that the victories of war are greater
than the victories of pepc'. Fur other
wise, | am willing 10 accord whatever
need Of gratitude grateful country de-
sires TO besIow upon its distinguished
servants in the field.
Aye, MIR. President, peace has vic'o.
Ties far more glorious than those uf war.
In my judgment, those conques,s in The
domain Of Nature which have been achiev-
ed by Fulton and Morse, are wor-
,llier Of distinguished honors from De-
people than the highes, military
He who subjected the
mighty power of steam 10 the purposes Of
man, and he who taught lightning TO per
form your crrands over our boundless
men are far worther
Of titles and distinctions, If titles and dis
,inciions are to be conferred, than the
most successful soldier.
Aye, Mr.. President, and he who uiters
d mighty thought or embodies a greater
in living language, and sends
Il forth 10 enligh+en and civiize the world,
and 10 live through all ages, bes,owing
It's benefits and blessings upon all men
he too, in my judgment is a greater con.
lueror than the migIties, warrior, because
he conquers in the domain Of the intel
ect. When Jefferson penned the Dec.
ara,ion Of Independence and announced,
as the onlytrue basis of Government, the
great truth "lhat all men are created
,dual" and sent that truth forth 10 fulfil
is sublime mission, overiurning the
hrones, principalites, and powers, he
ias achieved mighiier conquest than