The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-23

At from WISCONSIN, MI. WI he
compliment. for which return hun my thanks. Bat |
should regret very much, even qnntentonaly TO bring
ia any resolution that would violate the constitution,
either in letter spirit Bat ii this resolution violates
the then the constitution has been violated
continually aimee ito formation, by every title by
bevet that has been conferred upon any OF the officers
OF army. The comforting oil the bTeve title OF cap
would violate the constitution much the coufer
ring the brevet title Of euenantgeneral This resou
ton is merely to confer brevet. Now. what is the
difference between comforting the title of lieutenant
eral by brevet, and that OF captain by brevet
Mr.. BADGER. O. tina! OF major general.
Mr.. SHIELDS Yes, SIR; or ,ha, 81 major general BY
laes the constitution, then must say that that sacred
instrument has been violated already in many The
honor-known in some countries ~ "generassimo." in
this country "generalwas conferred upon General
Washington. He served in and commanded the reyolu.
tionary army by that title, the highest title in military
phrase that be conferred upon any is true
that Napoleon established the military rank OF "mar
shall" but that was the same as general" Afterwards
the title of lieutenant. general conferred upon Gen
Washington by mistake, at time when it was believed
that we about 10 be involved in war with France
He recalled from his reracy and about to be placed
at the head OF the army under and BY virtue oil the title
Of leutenantgenera But it was found upon reflection
that instead OF comforting upon him higher title than
be possessed in the revolutionary war; was in reality
degrading him. That title was. therefore, conferred
upon hm on the contrary, he was styled general
The title embraced in this resolution, however, crea-
Gen Washington. The object now is merely 10 revive
the same title in brevet form. as we revive titles IN
brevet form in the of captain colonel, brgadie
general, and major general.
have once before stated and is scarcely worth while
repeat it, that OF all the officers who served in the
Mexican war, the only officer who has derived no bene
fit, has derived brevet rank, has derived no ntular
honor for his services, Gen Scott Why, sir, humble
az am, even had the honor Of receiving brevet.
Others had the honor OF receiving breveisaye, sir,
OF them two, and even three beve,s Leutenans,
captains coonels and others, for every act OF gallant
Service received the honor Of breves and yet the man
who, at the head Of that army, conducted 4 not only
| mi INT q M
cult TO repeat hereafter, from Vera Cruz 70 the city OF
Mexioothat man has received neither additional title,
such the country will involuntarily bestow upon him
for his glorious services. Now what il the object oil
this resoluton Merely TO do him that justice which has
been done TO the whole army that served under him.
And how long will this additional honor, if conferred up
on HIM, continue! But few years at most. Gen Scott
old man he is far advanced 10 life, and after few
short years the place that now knows him will know
him forever" And am sorry to say that you
will have but very few of these gallant officers TO
confer brevets or anything else upon They are falling
| thckly around us almost daily-even much younger
men than he Few of them remain. and you will
probably not be troubled with them long, Those that did
not fall by the sword brought home diseases that are
sweeping them oil every year-l had almost said by
nyriads
regretted the last time resolution similar TO this
with-not in this body, am happy to say. but in the
other branch OF the national legislature If there any
opposition 10 arise to this resolution should much pre-
fer il TO come from some of our friends upon this side OF
the chamber think the successful should always be
generous--always magnanimous And il there is any
principle that value highly than any other in the
practice OF democracy, is that As believe, il is always
generous to its vanqushed foes it is liberal, and even
| liberty without liberality is rather incomplete.
will not waste the time OF the Senate by saying any
thing more. think the honorable senator from Wis
consin, tMr. WALKER for whose opinion have high
respect has made mistake in supposng that this
luton can, by any possibility be construed into viola
ton OF the consttuiontha be tortured into
such violation. II II can be construed, then must
cay that we have been violating the constitution
Mr. PETIT Before the honorable senator takes bis
seat would like to ask him a single question. Will
this resolution confer any greater enoumen, any IN
crease OF pay, upon Gen. Scottl
Mr. SHIELDS. II probably will
Mr. Mr. sE,rI + am glad 70 i hear T.
I Mr. PETIT That will be one indacemeni for me 10
vote for il.
Mr. SHIELDS. Tha, ia a matter, however, within the
discretion OF the President of United States No bre
vet confers additional pay Of itself II ia merely intended
as high honorary military compliment Tor gallant ser
vices But il the President OF the United Saiss assigns
the officer breve,ed to command proportoned 10 his
breve rank then he lie entitled 10 increased pays but in
other Therefore, that consideration will depend
upon the President OF the United States
| Mr.. PETIT. | would also beg leave 10 ask the hon.
orable senator whether there Is any command higher
than that which General Scott occupes' Is there
any substance IN this proposed honor, or is IT mere
shadow, a form, a bauble, a feaherl
/ Mr.. SHIELDS. ] do not understand what the honora.
bic by substance and shadow or form"
tina, meant by substance" additional pay, money, or
command-an increase Of pay, higher command, or a
greasr power IN the army. by "fom" mean mere
shadow, mere uue without any OF the increase have
referred to
MIR. SHIELDS must say that the honorable sena-
tor takes very practical OF this matter He looks
upon money a. the substantial thing in this
Mr.. PETIT. Certainly.
Mr.. SHIELDS And upon the title a mere bauble,
feather. will say, however, that among soldiers,
without any reference money pecunary
they sometimes like 10 and receive these baubles
happy to say that the substantial view OF the matter
s not so highly considered m the army in other
departments of life
MIR PETIT ! think il is found often necessary to |
have some Of The "6lthy luore." [Laughlerl
Mr. SHIELDS. As | have remarked before, my hope |
that General Scott will, Tor the few short years he is
10 remain amongst us, receive some additional CON- /
pensaton. think he deserves IT. and ought to have It,
Mr. PETIT Can he have any higher command
Mr. SHIELDS. II is very true be can have no higher
command than that he has-tha OF comma pder-ln-
chief OF the army, next to the President of the United
States. But repeat that not only wish to the little
conferred upon General Scott bat expect he will also
receive additional pay.
Mr. WALKER. The senator from Illinois Mr..
Shields ia doubtless not aware that he has, in the
course OF his remarks, given perhaps the best jus6ca
been given He says that General Scott s the only Off
Ger VINO fought in the Mexican who has not re.
ceived any honorary tular reward. Now let advert
TO The constitution Tor lnstant-let any senator do H.
and find, If he can, and point to or to the Senate
where there any authority that instrument for giving
merely ttular reward On The contrary, there il most
express prohibition in spirit OF anything OF that kind
The honorable senator from Illinois Mr. SHIKLpsl did
obtain breve for his services, and that noae
pvpY rttprto ly dasa cd n han he