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

General Scott has all the honor now that he could
if you created rank for him. He is now at tn,
head If you make higher rank, and put him into it
he is then only at the head Of the army III you still make
another for his you only put him at the head
of the army Hence the point which present is this
Are you to create title for every at the head Of
the army who performs valuable services for certainly
it is only NAME and the gets its value from
the fact that you have created new title for him espe
cally otherwise, the of lieutenant general would
not be valuable than that Of major general The
words imply if you translate them literally that the
Office of lieutenant general is beneath Gen. Scots pre-
sent rank. lieutenant would seem to be lower than
major but the value of the compliment consists in the
fact that you have created the Office especially for him to
fill it. Now, If you set the example of creating
Office for the every time that he performs
gallant services, it would be offensive hereafter TO re-
fuse make new title for the next who distin-
cuisines himself much Gen. Scott has done. 1t is
not offensive to refuse to confer higher rank upon
him. Why? Because it not done for the Father of
his Country. We called upon to depart from the
example that was then set. We asked to do
for living general than the American people did
for him who led armies through the battles Of the
Revolution
Sir my position is this If you ask me to vote thanks
Gen. Scott will vote them cheerfully If you ask me
to vote him sword, will do it readily. II You ask me
to vote him medal after medal, will do it with all my
heart And viii you ask any other expression of appro
baton of gratitude, of approval in honor of the gallant
officer which will be safe precedent to be followed in
the future and which may be applied with safety when
another arises, will cheerfuly do it; but sir,
cannot establish the that new
always be created for the head of the army when he
peforms his duty and thereby entities him to graft
tude. 1t is with great reluctance that am obliged to
differ from my colleague, and what apprehend to be the
majority of the Senate upon this question 1t was not
my purpose have said word; but have thought it
due to myself to explain the ground upon which shall
give my VOTE in order that inference may be drawn of
an unwilngness to vote whatever appreciation may be
given Of the conduct of Gen Scott which would still be
safe precedent for the future. One word another
point, and have done.
1t has been inmaed that the object is to increase the
emoluments that should be enjoyed by Gen. Scott If
the Committee Military Affairs of the opinion that
his pay generain-chief of the army not enough
in time of war; let them report BILL and will vote for
the highest that they will propose If they are Of
opinion that his pay is not sufficient In time of peace let
them bring forward BILL and will for the increase
If his pay sufficient ought to increase it, Ifhe
has been adequately paid in money for his services
and his sacrifices let us foot the bill at once but do it
by direct money appropriation Then, sir, when we
have voted thanks and medals and done all that
can do by way of compliment, and when we shall have
made him pecunary compensation at the highest point
which the Military Committee shall deem him entitled to,
know of nothing that do without establish
ing precedent which do not deem it safe to establish
Mr.. BADGER Mr.. President, shall have very great
pleasure in voting for this BILL which proposes to do honor
to gallant soldier, noble-hearted gentleman and
ardent patriot shall vote for it, sir, because believe
he has earned the distinction which it the of this
bill confer upon hmearned not by discharge
of duty but earned it by showing himself in the service
Of his country be Of the most consummate generals
that the history of the world produce earned it by
campaign unrivaled in modern history and perhaps in
ancient earned by campaign conrved with the most
consummate military SKILL executed with the most fear
less courage and the unerrng accuracy earned
by campaign in the midst of distant and conquered
people, where, from the nature Of the case, his powers
almost without limit without the presentation of
single incident in which, with his knowledge with his
consent far his ability to prevent it extended the
smallest wrong done to the most humble and depend
ent of his Mexican foes earned it. sir by showing that
tIa
lantry that fortified places be stormed and armies
defeated in the open field without surrenderpg the gene
emotions that should belong to the heart of
and that the most perfect humanity the most generous
and considerable pity, occupy the breast stimuli
taneously with courage which would do honor to the
of in any age of the world earned it, sir by
shedding from himself and the gallant troops that he led
and the noble officers who seconded his exerons lustre
upon the character Of his country which shall endure
forever; that suspicious, and sometimes
worthy fame which may spring from bravery sepa
rated from what is otherwise noble and generous in the
human breast but earned il by the union of every noble
and excellent quality which excite the admiration
demand the appreciation of mankind earned it, sir be-
this last this noble of his services in behalf
of his country is worthy of every thing that has preceded
in days that have gone by This last is but the Corin
THAN capital which crowns the column. 1t is not
adorned head surrounding deformed and unornamented
shaft but al is consistent and harmonious; and, Mr..
President, allow me to add, what in such connection
should be forgotten that the character Of this
distinguished military chief there is purity Of moral
virtue ana excellence, completing picture upon which
the heart Of the patriot and the christian with
untrng aud unaoyed satisfaction. Sir, he has earned
this distinction by rendering military services in the
Of his country surpassed only by those of that to whom
none is equal and Is second-be who led fore
fathers through the dreadful conflicts of the revolutionary
struggle independence which they earned for and
which enjoy.
Mr. President did not expect to say one word on the
subject of this resolution. had felt that it scarcely
proper that gentlemen this side Of the chamber should
say a word upon the subject have heard this matter
more than once discussed in the Senate, and have
NAMED silent but feel that there is nothing in the
circumstances of the which should induce with
hold the expression Of sentiment which deeply feel
wards one who am satisfied noby and richly deserves
it. And Why Mr. President should not this resolution
pass All admit the merits of the object whose promo
ton to this additional rank is sought by it. Who sir
will it harm? VIII it displace any from the just
rank which he has acquired? Win it pluck sprg of
laurel from any gallant brows that wear wreath
Will It endanger the republican institutions under which
we live Why, surely, Mr. President all these questions
must be answered in the negative. Why, then,
peat should not this resolution pass and this breyet-
this complimentary rank-be conferred upon this disn-
guished general?
My friend from Illinois (Nr. DoUdLAs) says that he
stands prepared give of thanks That has been
already done, and certainly it would be in exceedingly
bad taste to repeat the thanks which have been
emnly given by the Congress the United States He
that he stands ready to vote him sword sword is
the appropriate complimentary tribute be given Of
his rank He says that he is willing him increase
of pay but he is not willing give the President OPP
portunty to confer upon him eutenantship by brevet
Why not? Is it any thing in the world but distinction
without difference? He is willing to honor Gen. Scott
and the " brevet' will honor him. lie is willing to in
his pay, and the ''brevet will increase il. lie
is struck with this difficulty that il establish the prn-
cipe that every officer who does his duty is to receive
shall GnIn