The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-10-07
From the Eutaw lAIa.) Democrat
The Contrast.

The Contrast.
On the oath day of February lSI9 thick set clumsy
looking old man was seen riding slowly down one OF the
main streets in the city of Salo, Mexico The appear
ancc Of this venerable gentleman was remarkably unsol-
der like and unassuming; for he was monhted upon
rough mustang pony, and was attended by only one
armed dragoon as guard His short person was
nearly enyeoped dingy brown overcoa and his ieet
clad in pair OF coarse shoes that Protruded some
distance below his pants. A soiled military cap was
drawn down carelessly his eyes and small rusty
sword hung awkwardy at his side There was nothing
in his dress men TO Indicate that he was an uncommon
personage but the swarthy citizens oil the place who
stood groups upon the pavemens bowed their heads
he passed. and American officers OF all ranks raised
their hats respectfully they galloped BY him upon their
prancing sieeds. On every side the low groans OF
wounded and dying soldiers fell upon his and their
manged dlssec,ed limbs were thrown on. from he hospI
but still he rode on, slowly and heedessy, Tecognis.
ing neither friends foes, but seemingly absorbed
in his own deep, anxious meditaions. And this PLAIN
old man was General Zachary Taylor the hero Of Buena
VISTA the Of santa ARs and @ %ss ni
been dalened but day before by the smoke Of his
blazing guns they roared in the distance, and shook
the lofty surrounding mountains by their hoarse rever.
beratng thundes! This the man whose invincible
courage and indomable energy OF purpose had just
saved one gallant little army from destruction, and had
routed another OF four times It's numerical strength He
tdngs were spreading rapidly the broad Gulf and
his destined TO be breathed with grateful
applause by thousands Of his admrng countymen But
he appeared unconscious OF The future fame thai
awaited him, and his wholemind was apparently labor.
ing under The heavy responsibilities that sui rested upon
him, for he knew not at what hour hls baifed and
enraged enemies might pour down upon him again
through the dark goTges of the mountains that rose
up on every side, and oveIwhelm the remnant oil
his exhausted troops by their superior numbers.
Yet how honorable, how elevated, how glorious, was
the position he then occupied in that hostile city, far
removed from his native land There has VIII was
law, and his slightest mandate exacted obedience.
None doubted his patriotism or his ability, but all me
dence and 10 him they c0nded their safety and potec-
ton. The fierce inhabitants OF Saullo had but yeser.
day stood out upon their houseops, looking forth upon
the field OF battle with shouts OF exua,ion and den:
ance, hoping TO witness the overthrow oil Their bold
vader and the total destruction Of his little band but
they sat at their doors with grievcd, humble faces
gazing with awe and fear upon the man who had van
pushed their greatest leader and who but lew hours
since had swept down hundreds OF their nearest rea.
lives upon the bloody field OF Buena Vista with his ter
ribe cannon And now, he rode unattended through
their midst in his plain, dusty garb, wrap IN his own
weigbty thoughts and needless OF their submissive
looks they seemed 70 regard him as some superior being
who had been sent by an angry Deity to punish their
crimes and avenge the wrongs they had committed upon
others.
higher In the estimation Of his savage enemies than he
now does in the hearts OF thousands OF his enght-
ened coun,rymen. And why is this Because he is
no longer the ruling maser-sprt Of gallant army oil
freemen, battling for his nations glory and honor, but
the mere nominal leader OF an army Of nifty thousand
Office holders a passive instrument in the hands oil
few cunning, ambitious politicians who are endeay9r,ng
TO purchase power and reputation upon the credit OF his
military fame. How great the contrast between General
Taylor as he was two years ago, and General Taylor as
he now lsa President without power statesmavitb.
out qualifications, and consequently without the ability
TO perform those arduous duties that deyove upon every
one who nils his exalted station. He has ceased 10 be
the general OF a conquerng army and has become the
tool OF minority party whose champions have achieved
temporary victory by placing his military banner in their
'front.' knowing that thousands would follow wherever
he chose lead General Taylor has suled his military
fame by lending 10 the wings for the promotion OF their
partisan purposes He has suffered them to fight his bat
lies and again the stump and in the papers
merely to accomplish political triumph for themselves
and this has deprived his glorious victories Of half their
renown for they should have remained sacred TO the
annals OF American history. They belonged TO ma.
ton, and party, and nations united voice should
have recorded them upon the pages OF the future.
General Taylor is now the Chief Magistrate OF the
first republic in the world. the chosen President OF
ty.two millions OF freemen; but when we read Of the
manner in which he has lately been made to figure in
Harrisburg process,ons in order to win the admiration OF
the muhnde OF his having been drawn in carriage BY
four splendid horses magnificent wreath composed OF
flowers and gold lace, studded with brllants resting
upon his shoulders, with crown Of richly wrought
flowers encclng his brow thoughts avert back in
vaaby 10 the dusty streets OF Satlo and we see him
again I'm our minds eye,) wapt in his own brown coat,
riding among the bowling Mexcans upon his rough mus
tang pony with his rusty steel sword his SIDE and his
dirty cap on his head and wonderyes reader we
DER how the noble old hero OF Buena Vista ever could
have fallen from such height