Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-18
NUMBER 2.
Or Opening Of Col. Bakers eloqueu,
speech at the great New York TAYLOR
meeting Feb. cad, 1913.

VI opehing OF Col. BAKERS eloquen1
speech at the great New York TAYLOR
meeting Feb. cad, 1913.
Col. BAKER, of Illinois, was next intro
duced, amid cheers which lasted for several
minutes, and when order was restored, he
spoke nearly as follows. This, said he, is
indeed the majesty of the people! Where
on the face of this earth is there spectacle
more imposing than where such an assem-
blage as this meets to offer the tribute of
warm hearts, which no wealth could pur-
chase, no arm compel--to valor, wisdom,
and virtue! We are assembled here this
evening, fellow citizens, to present high
above all others the name of General Tay-
Tor. The crisis in public affairs demands
the choice, and the people will ratify il, for
we desire above all an honest aud wise Elk.
ecntipe.
We are engaged in war Of invasion,
waged at an expense unknown in the history
of arms--money has been expended with a
profnsion unheard of for purposes variously
stated, but never clearly defined. In behalf
of tins war every name has been invoked
glory, honor, patriotism--conquest- for
what purpose is it prosecuted-to arm the
heel that would tranple on the neck of a
conquered foe. To meet the crisis which
this state of affairs presents, we present the
name of ZACHARY TAYLOR. No man who
has ever looked upon him could mistrust his
honest sincerity of purpose. The air, the
manner-the features bespeak the charac-
teristics of the man OF tixedness Of purpose,
firm determination and high honor. lasb
They talk of his dispatches. Why, when
he was advancing from Brazos to Fort
Brown, he wrote to the Department Of
Ware Tonight shall advance towards
Fort Brown, and if meet the enemy, no
matter in what numbers, shall fight him."
That decision, and those words gave to the
glorious hlazonry of the American banner,
Palo Alto, and Resaca de Ia Palma. again
whcn in order to sustain an administration
which was even then seeking his downfall,
he advanced on Montcry with crippled re-
sources--wifh small train, and with only
seven hundred pack mules he found an
army quadruple his own in numbers, and
posted in a fortified city. But he never
looked back. He breaihed into his soldiers
the same spirit which animated himself
his undaunted courage-his iniiexible reso-
lution---fortresses and palaces were stormed
breast work were carried---houses, which
in themselves were Notifications, were surn-
cd against the enemy, and far TO the breeze
was spread the northern banner, and tho
name of Monterey was given to immortal
ity.
But the administration, with determine
alton to destroy him, took from him his we'll
tried, faithful veterans, and left him only
untrled volunteers, men who had never fired
a gun in anger, while opposed to hun was
an army such as Mexico had never before
sent into the field, commanded by leader
given to them by Mr.. Polk himself.--num-
erous, highly disciplined, the enemy came
forth conscious of victory. They came
rushing onward like the waves of the sea,
but the old hero remained firm and undaunt-
ed. They surrounded hin--they appeared
to oyerwhelm him. They circied him as
black cloud around a star, and for moment
all was dark indeed. As the blade of the
warrior flashes, leaping from is scabbard---
as cloud blown away by the rushing wind
as rock dashing back the foaming surge
which mady breaks against it--as an Amcri-
can soldier repes foe, SO broke forth Tay-
lor 10 triumph aud victory--(tremendo
checring.)
II was indeed fearful day. At one timo
il seemed as il the war-cloud had only spent
lis malice, and far in the distance others
were coming up, black and fearful. The
front was brokcn--the flank was forced in
the rear was even mingled with the Mexican
lancers, and still they came rushing on.---
Even Bragg, the intrepid Bragg, blanched
and quailed as his eye was cast over the
host OF rushing foes-and seeing how inn
minent was the danger, he asked for sup
port. Major Bliss and will support you,
Captain Bragg" was the reply. fNa if
Oh where was Roderck them
One blast upon his buge horn,
Were worth thousand men, R
Tremendous cheers, which lasted for
several minutes, here interrupted the speak
er.)