The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-17
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY MOANING. NOV. II, Is4e.
rhs Pron.,ss -brsaksrs, and shslr Condemnation.

SATURDAY MORNING, NOV ~, IS49.
The Promise -breakers, and their Condemnation.
One year ago this very month the shouts Of an exung
multitude, the ringing Of BELLS bonhfes, Examinations,
and various other demonstrations Of JOY announced the
triumphant election Of Major General Zachary Taylor to
the exalted and peerless Office Of President Of the United
States. He had, during the space OF forty years. been
connected with the army, and until recently, SO undis-
tngushsd and obscure to be hardly known to the
pie Of the country which he served. His name was but
little known at home, and entirely unknown abroad He
had taken part in the political controversies with
which his country had been agitatedj he had never
voted; he had done nothing to excite the admra-
ton or the aversion OF his countfymen. He there
fore had mo enemies. Accident placed him at the
head OF the army which was destined for the nva
sion Of Mexico. In the campaigns which that army
made, il achieved splendid victories and covered itself
with glory. II was composed Of men every of whom
was hero; and was guided in its movements by the
profoundest military science of the country II was there
fore not obe beaten by any force which the enemy could
bring against it. Its destiny victory, whoever might
command it, And, as usual in similar cases, the glores
which this well appointed and chivalric army achieved
clustered like so many brilliant gems around the brow OF
its commaader. Gen Taylor, therefore. had enemies,
and his friends and admirers all his countrymen.
length, sycophants and aerers sought to make the
trumphs the gories and the fresh and green reputation
which the army had achieved for Gen. Taylor available
for their own selfish purposes. and forthwith they famed
into fame the sparks Of ambition which lurked in his
BOSOM and stimulated in his heart longing and unappeas
able aspirations for the Office most exalted in honor
and most weghty in responsibility in the gift OF his
A. L.
be used by Others and bent all his energies to secure the
splendid prize which dazzed his eyes. and seduccd him
from the true path Of his glory and fame into the may
and bewilderng scenes Of political demagogsm and in
rgue Under the guidance and instruction OF the more
arful and unscrupuous political stagers by whom he
was surrounded he set himself to work to the
fdence OF his counynen, and their support to the new
schemes of his ambition to which he devoted him
self He was the hero OF many battles. He had
served his country 10 the best of his ability in
Just and righteous war. He had led a victorious
army which put to flight his countrys enemies These
services and successes excited the admiration and the
gratitude Of the people He professed to be an honest
and frank soldier; 10 know nothing of political in
ttigue; to have no .well-deined political principles;
10 have no political likes or dislikes; 10 know no
friends nor enemies among his admirng and grateful
co,intymen And he promised 10 be the President of
the people, 10 put end TO the violence and acrnony OF
partisan warfare man for opinions sake
and to take the constitution and the will OF the people
for his guide These were in substance the promises Of
this old soldier and these promises endorsed by his
leading friends and supporters and the presses which ad
vocated his election.
The people gave credit 10 these pledges OF old Hero,
whose word Of honor they regarded sacred and bind
ing upon him as an oath taken in the presence Of God
They were grateful for his military services and the
achievements Of the army of which he the head i'm
pressed them with full confidence in his ability to admin
lister the great and honorable Office which he sought with
success They also desired that end might be put to
the bitterness and vraenoe Of party warfare and they
hoped that the country would be permitted under the gu
dance of this favor,e military chieain, to enjoy at least
few years Of repose and tranquility. With these
motives and expectations the people, including many Of
all parties voted for him, and he was rumphany elect
ed Never did man ascend the curue chair Of the
public under auspices so favorable, and surrounded by
circumstances which promised SO much honor to himself
and satisfaction to his counymen. He had only to re-
deem his promises and to fulfil the just expectations OF
the people which those solemn had excited
to be one of the popular chief magistrates who
ever sat in the chair Of Washington.
He came into power lie took the oath OF fidelity to
the constitution. and the oath OF Office and under the
solemn Influences OF those oaths which had JUS, ascended
from his lips to be registered the record Of higher
than earthly tribunal he in substance in his address TO
the people that occasion, reiterated those sacred
pledges which he made previous to his election in order
to gain the confidence and support Of his countrymen
What did this man. thus honored by and thus pledged
to the people, then do The story briefly told. By
his he violated all those pledges He proved TO the
people that he had party; and TO the modification and
disgust Of every partot. that party was the same
which sympahized' with the enemies OF his country
against whom he fought and conquered He proved
to the people that all his pledges were as nsught
that he had friends 10 reward and enemies to punish
that instead Of being the enemy Of prescription, he
It's stern advocate and that he the friend OF those
who were ruthless in their prescriptions OF his po-
litcal opponents In short, this man, who injure
nobody for opinions sake, permitted those under him 10
make removals for that cause alone than had been
made under all previous administrations from the begin
ming OF the government Instead Of making honesty
capacity and fidelity the chief qualifications for Office,
he had promised he allowed those acting in his name
to make partisan services the principal claim for prefer
ment. Instead OF acting in manner which would soften
down the asperities Of party warfare and give peace
and quiet TO the country he has acted in the
hast cacuIaed m fomen Marty bitterness and strife In