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

simply desired to know whether the brevet rank which
it is proposed TO confer would give any additional com
mand 10 Gen Scott and whether il would carry with II
any additional pay? have been revolving the matter
in my mind to whether these things would take place
or not. | cannot say that very well informed about
the organization Of army but to me that as
to the first proposition there be no higher command
under the President conferred than Gen. Scott now has
in time of peace especially. He is next in command to
the President; the President being the constitutional
commander of the army As to the increase OF pay II we
have any existing law providing that brevet officer shall
have higher pay than who is breveted then this
may increase Gen. Scots pay The idea that intended
convey by the question that asked was that could
learn that there necessity Embarrassing
giving greater command than Gen. Scott now has-and
thatt would directly indirectly increase his pay it would
be nducement for me to vote for The JOINT resolution
believing do, that neither the army nor the civil list
of the United States is than half paid would,
however rather make it directly; and said to the SEN
ator from Illinois that would for proposition d.
recty to increase Gen. SCOTS pay; and do not know
but that prepared now, in his lifetime, 10 NIX,
in anticipation, pension upon his widow and his chill.
dren but that may be talked of hereafter There is no
who entertans higher estimation Of the talents ana
military services Of Gen. Scott than do none under
standing them better than do; would do any
thing to blight gloom the declining years
of that gallant officer If he be DESTROYS of receiving
bauble additional feather in his cap do not know
that could find it in my heart to refuse it, but would
much rather know that it conferred substantial lasting,
and tangible benefit upon him, to soothe his decnng
years and benefit his family. IT, therefore 1t follows that
there thatastng tangible and substantial beneht follow
ing the comforting of this title, should be much reader
! to vote for it.
i Mr.. ADAMS. l do not wish to be understood as OPP
posing any proposition which is intended to confer honor
upon Gen. Scott reward him for the distinguished SER
vices which he has rendered to his country; but not
wthstandng what has been said in favor OF the joint
solution which is before yet at loss to see how
joint resolution, creating new title higher military
title than exist by law will confer any addition
al honor upon him and above the vote of thanks
which has already passed the two Houses of Congress
If the object be to pay him additional compensation
for his services, let it up direct proposition
If he has been sufficiently paid the country ready
l to pay him but do not let us do il indirectly
is said however by the distinguished Senator from
Illinois r SHIELDs that breve appointments have been
conferred various individuals from the commence
ment of the Government to the present time. That is
true, sir; individuals having particular rank in the
| army have by vote Of Congress- been complimented
with rank above their actual command, and received
pay accordingly. But believe there is no solitary in
stance of creating title office simply to bestow 1T
compliment 1t is where the office has existed that
the individual has been compmented with the title of
higher grade than his command. The proposition In the
of Gen. Washington to confer upon him com
mand which, it supposed at the tme his title would
confer, and not compliment. The Father OF his
Country had to receye it compliment In the
where Mr.. Polk asked the creation OF lieutenant
general it not intended compliment The con-
dtion Of things which Senators will recoect and which
caused conflict between this distinguished individual
and the late President of the United States with regard
to their separate commands placed the then President
in awkward and unpleasant condition in relation to
their difference. And, in order that there might be a
command above what the law then authorized he asked
that the office Of lieutenant general might be created IN
the army Congress refused agree the proposition
and believe there is solitary instance in the history
of this country of Office being created expressly to
bestow compliment
MIR. SHIELDS viii the honorable Senator permit me
to say that this is the creation of Office but the
reviyng of that has been created? But the princi
pie may be the same in both However, it is re-
y;v t1a nl,na uha g fsp-fa Inf
command.
Mr. ADAMS. I understand that, sir; I understand
that it is called revival yet is the creation of Office
to confer honor individual, when that individual
has received and occupies the highest position in the army
known to the laws of the land 1t is said that every other
distinguished general who has rendered services to the
tnguished individual has not been brevetedy Because
he already holds the highest Office in the army, except
that held by the President, known to the laws of the
country We can confer higher. There is possible
chance of comforting upon him higher honor than the
vote Of thanks which has been bestowed upon him and
| who could desire more? Yet it is asked that a
Office should be created expressly to be conferred upon
him. 1t is the precedent that object to- think that
! by the objections fallaciousy made by my
friend from Wisconsin is true, the honorable SEN
ator from Virginia has said, that mobility known
in the Constitution had reference to particular class of
knowntitles but think myself that the spirit OF the
Constitution did conem plate that there should be title
either military otherwise conferred as distisc-
ton without referepce to the discharge of duties con-
Mr.. DOUGLAS If were to consult my feelings alone
this occasion should vote for the joint resolution
but looking at it question Of practical legislation
do that do 1t is evidently intended ms
compliment Gen. Scott So far the Senate of the
/ United States pay him compliment, by expressing
its appreciation Of his military conduct its gratitude even
for his services in the Mexican campaign, would hear
ty and cheerfuly unite in the expression but think
that has already been DONE IL mistake not, we have
already voted Gen Scott medal for his conduct We
have already given him Of thanks for his services
What higher compliment can pay him! What higher
compliment has the Senate the nation been able to
pay any man? Was than that done for the Father
of his Country? Was done for George Washington
in consideration of his services than the expression Of
nations gratitude? No. SO far / advised no
man has proposed any thing in addition to that for
the services of Washington to his country.
The comforting the rank Of lieutenant general upon
Gen. Washington is cited precedent for this case
do not regard il precedent do regard it as IN
act from which any authority for this proposition be
drawn. The point in that this: Gen. Washing
ton had retired from the army he private citizen
II was apprehended that we about TO engage in
war with France; il the wish Of the nation that
George Washington should be placed at the head Of the
army in order that he might conduct that our
parts the highest ranks in the army then filled and
If he should be made major general the highest rank
then known to the army he would still bsranked by Off
who held commissions Of the grade and Of older
date. IL necessary, therefore, to higher
rank, in order to enable Gen. Washington take the
command Of the army in order to put him ut its head
In order that the country might avail itself Of his nvau
able services For that the rank of lieutenant
general was created. 1t had reference as compli-
meut to Washingtons past services No compliment
could be paid him in that manner 10 was created with
reference to the necessity for his future services 1t
With view to the interests Of his country and to them
alone that the Office then created and that George
I UnC htnnfn pta1 -. L..