The daily union., 1854-01-01
The Lieutenant & encraI Bill.

Ii we may Judge from The comments OF many OF our
contemporaries upon the bill lately passed by the Senate
for the purpose OF comforting upon Gen. Scott the title
and the cmouments of Lieutenant General. we should
predict that the question involved n the measure des
tined 10 attract unusual amount of public attention
The proposition savors strongly Of disposition
tach importance to dazzling ,illes that is at once
viewed with jealousy by our people, who cherish
deeprooed aversion to all the forms and appliances Of
titled royalty and arstocracy That clause in the fed
eral constitution which says that title OF nobility
shall be granted by the United Staes" comes naturally
into the mind when such proposition is made in
time of profound peace. II were on The eve of war
with some formidable power, and there was necessity
for the creation OF the office Of Lieutenant General for
when the Office conferred on Gen. Washington ;
sons why the commanding general was not the best off,
Ger to conduct ii. in The opinion OF the Commando
Chief" sound policy might well sanction such measure
but when it is proposed with no view TO actual or
threatened war, bu, mere title of honor for pas,
services il involves principle which strikes the very
foundation Of ha, devotion TO republican simplicity
which Induced fathers to prohibi, the granting Of
|" titles Of nobility"
We can very well understand the influence Of those
generous feelings which would incline members OF Con
gress TO testify their high appreciation OF the military
achievements OF General Scott by conserving TO confer
upon him "emp,y honor" like that involved in the
bill before Congress. II the would no, bo re-
garded precedent for future action. might be less
Objectionable; but it requires great share of sag acty
TO oresee that, in the of time, would be fol-
lowed up and be regarded authority for other infringe
ments upon the spirit OF the constitution. Without in.
tending TO cast any upon the motives, or 10 i'm
peach the judgments of those senators who have voted
for the passage OF the bill referred TO- we cannot with
hold the expression OF decided aversion TO such
precedent This feeling arises from no disposition to
withhold from General Scott the full share OF gratitude
and admiration due 10 his military services bu, would
guard our republican institutions and republican
character against the first approaches OF royalty ars
iocracy. even in matters OF form. We have appsuded
the effort OF the present administration in seeking to
give 10 the intercourse OF representatives abroad The
republican simplicity OF and OF dress which
cord so beautifully with institutions. Upon the
same principle cannot but hope iha, the action of
-CSagfess will illustrate the spirit II the emol-
umens attached TO General Scotrs present rank
are not full compensation for his services no one
will object TO him literally paid bu, we hope
that j, will not fall TO the lot of democratic admins
traiion to make precedent in creating and conerrnq
titles OF honor II not OF nobility" which are wholly a,
war with the genius OF institutions As much as we
dislike the necessity which forces differ with many
democratic friends with whom il is pride and pleas
usually 10 and cooperate, cannot consent
TO remain silent when question is presented in which
is involved q great principle OF rcpubcanism. We
shall therefore, not debar ourselves from the privilege OF
investigating this subject al more length hereafter We
design al present only TO indicate position, with the
hope that may contribute somewhat 10 such discus
sion and examination az will prove beneficial to the
public interests