Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-02-18
GENERAL SCOTT.

Shall this veteran for his short remainder of fe be
placed the army rolls as lieutenant general be
continued for the last forty years. dating from Lun-
dy's Lane, Tor Brdgewater,) major general?
joint resolution to authorize the change has repeat
sdly passed the Senate by majority of twoth;rds and
rnore and again hangs doubfuly in the House of
Representatives evidently from Misrepresentation
the nature of the Office title in question. ...a"
1t astonishing that many persons in and out of Con-
ress entertain the vague notion that the grade of lieu
tenant general in army would be new fangle some
thing arstocratc title of nobility without func-
tions, pay, emoluments.
This singular prejudice received passing rebuke in
the Senate both from Gen. CAss and Gen. SHIELDS but
neither of them, it seems thought it worthy Of grave
fuaton. The notion however, is still prevalent in
tain quarters as is seen in partisan newspapers aud may
be daily heard in conversations about the Capitol.
Is it impossible to dsabuse candid minds of popular
Authorization? The object is worthy of a trial
Republican Congress, looking with confident pride to
the future expansion and power and wants of this Union
laid down. November Is, 1776, this permanent rule:
That the rank of naval officers be to the rank of Off
GERS in the land service follows Admiral gene
raj, WAsHINGToNs then rank Vice admiral as leu
tenant general; admiral major general; COM
nodore as brigader general" &c.-Journals OF Con-
gress, vol. J. p. sac. .."I
So again, Congress, May 2s, 1893 under threat Of
rather greater pay and emouments than are now given
TO major general (Ths is the rank &C. that the pend
ing joint resolution proposes to revive temporarily
Again. Democratic Illinois has Tor has had) legion
AIRY organization with one lieutenant general, major
generals four brigadier generals &c.. while the
mander-n-chef of the Connecticut militia has always
been styled captain general ard the him in rank
lieutenant general.
Republican France, too, from 1882 to 1S03 and again
IN 1857 always had las in the time Of the empire)
from 100 to $50 lieutenant generals while tie British
Army Lists have usually given the of about field
arshals 100 full generals (Washngtons rank 40 lieu
tenant generals, $50 major generals sc.
The American army independent Of any proposed.aug-
ensaton, consists of about 6 regiments equal bri
gades divisions army corps; that is ands
Tor brigaders major generals lieutenant generals
and full general washingtons rank from to 1888
and again the time of his death although from par
simouous considerations, actually have for the direct
command Of those troops exclusive of brevets but
major general Scott and tpo brigadier generals woo
and Twggs.)
Wool and Twiggs both commenced the Mexican war a!
orgsdier generals By ordinary commissions (Which they
continue hold and both became for distinguished
vices brevct major generals Each again. since that
having been in command according his breye has
ceved precisely the same pay, ratons and allowances
every kind as have been accorded to Scott.*
Now, if Wool, Twggs, &c. on being put duty by
their lower ordinary commissions find themselves il
commands according to- their higher rank, is it arsto
cratic in either Of them exercise the authority OF
Jor general and receive the higher pay &c. in such
case expressly provided by act of Congress? Under
their circumstances the breves ceased 10 be empty titles
and were awakened into positive rank and activity.
SO it would be il the of Scott lie commands
The army major general by ordinary commission.
made brevet lieutenant general Sc and continued
the command of the army half Of which is equal
the rank Of lieutenant general he would ortor be or
duty according to- his brevet which, under the laws
would be dormant, but in activity aud entitled FOL
the time, to the additional pay and allowances
And il the brevets Of Wool, Twggs, SC, with all thu
attendant benefits be considered entirely free from thu
faint of nobility why would the proposed and similar re
ward to Scott not be equally democratic? His aetna
command in troops is, has been said twice his actua
rank. Make him lieutenant general by brevet That
without disturbing the permanent organization Of the
ny-one major general and two brigader generals--an
more than the brevets Of major general disturb that
ganizstion, would in his be sufficient approxima
ton of rank and command The country expects that
and the army has asked for him nothing more.+
This is equally in every particular Of anothe
dstng ushed cfheer Brt. Maj Gen. r. T. Smith the colo
mel Of the rites. "'.
See the report Of board Of high officers appointe
by the President under resolution Of the Senate
sider TINS very subject unanimously recommending thu
rank OF lieutenant general by brevet The report wa
laid before the Senate December H. 1850
The Democratic State Convention, for Rhode
Island met at Providence on Thursday last and no
minated the following ticket for State officers to be