The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-11

qusilti's III courage, turtitu.c, and vlrtuG, N tbs
discharge OF his public duties he was Tor that
extraordinary benevolence and kindness which 50
endeared him to his family and friends Sir,
tortned for him then respect aud friendship which
retained undiminished TO the hour of his death,
and which shall be cherished for his memory, now
that the hand Of q Tod has translated him from the
scene of his earthly life and trial
subsequently, sir, again met General TAYLOR
at the head Of his army in the valley OF the Rio
Grande. delivered to him, in his camp Mt Mon
ercy, the orders Of his Government which an
| nounced TO him that the military plans and policy
OF the country was to be materially modified and
changed The northern States OF Mexico then
about To be invaded, were 10 be left uninocsted,
and the entire military power Of our people was to
be directed upon the city Of Mexico by new line
OF operations Those operations, sir, left him to
the comparatively humble task OF defensive cam
paign in the valley of the Rio Grandc, while the
more glorious and decisive movement upon the
city Of Mexico sccned likely to fall to the lot of
some more fortunate commander. On this occa-
sion, sir, 1t was my privilege and my duty
To confer with him fully and confdentally
ON the part of his Government, and it afforded
display of those qualities to which l have already
referred, of fortitude, and courage, and patience,
and must add fidelity to the Government which he
served. II is not for me, at this moment when have
80 Unexpectedly, but hope not intrusively, touched
this topic, to refer to those extraordinary events
which soon followed, and which invested his defen
sivc position with singular and startling import
ance, and which finally led him to the field of Buena
VISTA where he accomplished victory so brilliant
and wonderful that it must rest sir, as the crown
OF glory 10 that war, while il will through all time
adorn his fame al illustrious soldier My refer
ence to these events, sir ID that may mark my
association with General TAyLoa to events near to
| his own personal fame and hoNOr, and apart from
those passages in life, when he necessarily
sOeiated with the political and partisan excteuents
OF the country. This course enables me, sir, not
only to orcgo, but to be altogether insensible TO
4 any influences they might excite, and to render
his memory on this occasion my most profound
h,,rr. and art t,a ,.r hn
was necessarily exposed to encounter the strife of
contendng sentiment and opinion, and feel hap
py, sir, at this instant, that knew him in a
life of high and noble action in which lac devel-
oped the highest attributes of American character
patriotism. And whatever might be the relation
we would respectively hold to his political opinions
policy, it ID cheering to feel that his life has left
US all an example, displaying qualities OF the
heart, which to cultivate and cherish should be
our first and chief duty. This humble tribute,
plainly, and fear imperfectly expressed, beg to
submit on my own part, and for the people repre-
sent, with further expression Of condolences for
those who remain to mourn the loss Of husband,
father brother, and friend
Mr. CONRAD rose and said
! Mr.. SPEAKER: In accordance with wish cx-
. pressed by many members, have prepared
4 luton adapted TO the melancholy event which has
just been announced, and which purpose to offer
. to the House. Before doing So however, would
do violence TO my feelings, a representative
Of that State OF which he iustrioue deceased was
citizen and the brightest ornament, if did not
offer some remarks appropriate to the melancholy
: occasion on which we are assembled Seldom has
event occurred which strikingly illustra
the uncertainty Of life and the instability Of earthly
greatness than the one called upon to de-
pore.
! few days ago General TAYLOR was in his usual
robust health On the fourth of this mouth he at
tended some ceremonies which took place in COM
memoration of the anniversary of national in
dependence. As the ceremonies occurred in the
open air, it is believed that the exposure to heat
! OF unusual intensity produced the malady which,
at about half past ten last night, terminated his
i earthly career great patriot has fallen! /. A
amongst us, In a few hours a nation will be
plunged in mourning and the voice OF lamena
ton will ascend from twenty millions of people!
IL is not my purpose, Mr.. Speaker, TO dwell at
| length ON this occasion, on the public and
the military achievements of General TAYLOR
These belong to the history of his country. and
deeply engravcn on the memories and the hearts Of
his countryInen. prefer to dwell those minor
traits of his character which, as they exert less
perccptbe influence the destinics of nations,
. too often overlooked by historians.
General TAyLoR's was not one Of those characters
OF which history furnishes many conspicuous
aDples, In which many defects concealed amid
the.dazzling splendor of single virtue. On the
. luminous disc Of his character no dark spots
discernible. His biographer will have great fol-
lies TO conceal faults to excuse, crimes to pal
hate or condemn. There is no dark passage in his
| life which justice will be called upon to condemn,
or morality to reprove, or humanity to depore.
Like the finished production Of artist, the details
OF the picture are as correct and beautiful the
general outline is grand and imposing
His heroic courage and military genius are those
qualities TO which be is chiefly indebted for his
fame; and yet those who knew him bestdeould not
consider them the prominent attributes Of his char
acter. On the contrary, this courage appeared
only AN adventurous quality, occasionally devel-
opcd by circumstances requiring It's exercise. His
prominent charac teristics, always manifest, were
unaffected modesty, combined with extrsordi-
nary hrmness stern sense Of duty, and Of justice
tempered and softened by spirit OF universal be-
neyaence, an infieIible integrity, truthfulness
| that knew no Discrimination sincerity and frank
ness which rendered concealment or disguise ALSO
lutely unnecessary.
friends, aud inspired with confidence all who APP
preached him. These were the qualities which in
private life made him the upright man, the valu-
able citizen. the devoted friend, the afIectionae
husband, the fond father, the kind and ndugcnt
master, and which, brought into public life. made
him the disnterested patriot, and the faithful and
conscientious lunctonary His martial courage
set of and relieved by this group of civic vir-
tues, the brillisncy of the diamond il enhanced
by the gem Of softer ray by which il is encrcled.
The mass Of the people in all countries posse,sa
wonderful sagacity in detecting the prominent
traits OF their distinguished men. The American
people inferior TO none in this quality and they
soon discovered and appreciated the merits OF
General TAyLos u IL not surprising, therefore,
that they called him, almost by acolsmaton, TO FIJI
the fret Office In their gift.
IL is 20 common for the most ambitious men 10
affect reluctance in accepting tbose very honors
which they have long and srdently sought ,<hat we
are apt 70 consider all such professions indica
ing feelings the very of those they oSpress
Tbose, however, who knew General Taylor well,
entertained no doubt Of the entire sincerity OF his
declarations when he called upon TO boa can
didstc for the office Of President.
The excitement of politics had charm for one
who had always been extremely avcrsc 10 political
controversy. The pomp and splendor Of the presi-
Dental mansion had no temptations for who
was always remarkable for the simplicity Of his
tastes and the frogaIity of his habits Add TO this
that his unaffected modesty and inexperienco in
public affairs led him sincerely TO distrust his
ability TO discharge the duties Of this high and
sponsible station.
At no period of our history, indeed, was the Exc
cutive chair surrounded by difficulties than
those which enconpassed Il when he was called on
20 occupy IT, Party spirit was still raging with
sbated fury; dark cloud visible on the bori-
ron, which portended that a storm of unusual vio-
lcnce approaching, and would shortly burst
forth. Under such circumstances, man even Of
stouter heart than his might we'll hesitate before he
consented to embark this "sea Of troubles"
Yielding, however To the public voice, and to the
Arguments and persuasion Of his friends, he did
embark. The tempest arose; and in the midst Of
while the of " tDascd a md