Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-12-22
GEN. TAYLOR AT NEW ORLEANS.

a :
The manner in which Gen. Taylor was ycster
day received must have been gratifying to the oil,
hero.-The heart of New Orleans was bounding
with exul'ation at his approach, and enthusiastic
was the welcome she gave him. 1t was a recep
tion such as great and free people alone could
give, grand and imposing, without pomp or show
and respectful without formality The scene which
was presented when the Mary Kingsand neared
the wharf, was affecting from its sublimity.
| AlouS,the shores Of the Mississippi, far as the
eye could reach, gay streamers hoated on the
breeze s1m ships of every nation, and the water Of
the slyeIvas tossed in foam from Lafayette to the
farthest extremity OF the city by the inrumerable
steamhoS1s which We're then running in every Gl-
rection. The ship America, that had moved i'm
medately after the Mary Kingsland in the aquatic
procession, 1oated slowly down the river, and the
music which was borne to the ear from the deck of
| every steamboat, was occasionally unheard in the
loud boom of the cannon, and the wild shouts from
the shore. The streets, house tops, and the decks
and yards Of every vessel within sight, Were dar-
kened with human forms, and high above the mass
Of heads the triunphal arch in the Place
d'Armes, with the sunbeams playing on the words
'sWelcome'' and ''Buena VISTA" which were in
scribed in letters of gold.
He whose presence had called that mighty mass
together and created such commotion on the bosom
of the Mississippi, stood calmly but evidently al
fected at this glorious manifestation of tho feeling
which Louisiana enertains for the distinguished
citizen. There something fine in the face of
the old man as he stood gazing on the scene-a
shade, bearing the semblance OF pride, would occa-
sionally settle on his brow; but the feeling which
gave expression to his kind and manly countenance
and touched its every line with tenderness, was
that Of love and gratitude. His tolls and strife,
the glory and dangers of battle, and all which he
endured and achieved, were apparently forgotten--
he stood before his country with the kindness and
tenderness of a child in his heart, and her arms
were open to receive him.
When the old man landed, the cheers which
peaed from the assembled thousands, We're electri-
flying, and the Committee OF Arrangements, who
had BATTERED themselves that they could move in
the procession after the General, scattered in
a moment among the crowd, who evinced the
greatest anxiety 10 touch the old heros clothing
even TO see him. There was welcome beaming in
every face that looked upon him, and he was
Quoted TO the triumphal arch, where he was met
by the Mayor, amid acclamations which Were &C
tually deaening.
The same paper, speaking of the ceremonies at
the Cathedral says
Every avenue leading 10 the church was throng
ed with the several societies and fire companies,
who were often pushed from their position by the
motion of the mighty mass Of people but there
was no contention, no strife; all Were united for
one grand purpose, and it would have been diff
cult to destroy the unanmity of feeling which pre-
vailed. The beautiful women of New Orleans
graced the scene, and fair hands waved a welcome
TO the brave. When the doors OF the church were
thrown open, it was filled almost nstantaneously,
and thousands were disappointed in the hopes OF
admission they had entertained.
Bishop Blanc addressed the General briefly and
appropriately. during which he alluded to the hui
mainly as well as glory with which the old hero
conducted the war, and concluded by expressing
the hope of speedy and honorable peace, to which
Gen. Taylor feelingly replied, and warmly re-
sponded to the earnest aspirations of the bishop,
that peace might be speedily secured. When
Gen. Taylor appeared again before the people, he
was mounted on his famous charger ''Old Whitley"
The excitement at this stage of the proceedings
was intense, and the cheers almost amounted to
enthusiasm.
The crowd pressed close to cold Whitley ;" and
he received many kind and aiiectionate pat but
the uneasy witch which the old fellow occasion
ally gave made it apparent that he was being des-
poiled of portion of his flowing name and tail.
Referring to the Dinner at the St. Charles, the
Mercury remarks:
When the toast to Gen. Taylor was given, the
shouts with which it was received were undispu-
ted evidence of the feeling for the subject Of the
sentiment.
The old man rose with an appearance of diff
dence and timidity, which all knew he never felt
In the presence of enemies, and replied peril
nently and appropriately. He said it was difficu
| for him to express his sense of the honors which
were showered upon him by the citizens of New
Orleans; but Of all the trophies he received, the
approving smiles and waving handkerchefs OF the
fair daughters Of Louisiana affected him the most
and were deare7 than thousand victories on tht
! battlefield. They were tTiumphs peculiarly graft
| tying 10 him, for they were unalloyed by pain ant
| left no sting behnd-he knew not how others felt
but for himself, how much soever he might forge
In the hour of battle, the sad consequences of th
-fr, e al II. Ii
understanding his heart TO sink and causing hin
to feel like a child. He had hoped to have done
more for his country than he did--he thought hi
might have been enabled to accomplish speed,
and honorable peace--an event essential to tn
welfare of both countries, and particularly so t.
our own-but though he did not accomplish a
much as he desired, he always endeavored to per
| form his duty, and he more than graiified tina
| the people of Louisiana, with whom he considered
| himself identified, were contented with his con
duct. Gen. Taylor terminated by offering the fol
| lowing toast:
The Citizens of ,Nsto Ortcans-Un surpasse,
Tor intelligence, patriotism, and enterprise of every
kind.
| pleasing and beautiful incident which occur
red at the St. Charles Theatre during the visit o
Gen. Taylor, is thus described in the Mercury
| When the cheers which greeted him as he en-
/ tered had in some measure subsidized the Young
/ the beautiful and the graceful MILE. Dinner dan
! ced with that airy and bewitchnp motion so neon
ar to herself, and with all her beaming glance upor
the Old Hero. He gazed at her attentively, as i
is said he has done at all the ladies' whom he saw
| in the glorious pageant Of yesterday, and when sh
finished the first part of the dance, he flung
bouquet at her feet
Mt the close Of her performance, several hand
some bouquets were thrown on the stage, from
which she selected the most beautiful. and. with
graceful and bewltcbing air that was irresistibl.