The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-06

he SAID, AID IN his manner of saying il, ponde-
rous weight, profundty of depth, an earnestness
OF nlanRer, and a sosmnity OF style, which be-
lorg 10 no other man qualities which remind as
more of The ancient Romans than of modern men
-quaiits which, however, at all periods of the
world, ave gained the involuntary respect and We
neratlon Of mankind. When, therefore, he brought
to the rescue of the republic from her tumults,
agitaiions, and trials, the overwhelming force of
his gigantic intellect, the whole nation looked
upon him with confidence ard admiration. His
position, when he planted himself upon the broad
basis Of the constitution, became national and sub
line. Losing sight of all local interests, tramp
lsg personal considerations under his feet,
and fixing his earnest eye upon the banner OF
the nation, on whose folds he saw inscribed,
in letters equally bright and dear, the
name of thirty commonwealth, the nation
looked upon him in his sublmity, and the feeling
universal, that whatever might might be the
trials and tumults through which America was
called TO pass, however desperate might be the
struggle OF contending elements, there was one
man, whose voice, with that of Henry Clay, would
be heard above the roar of the tempest, pleading
in behalf Of country, constitution, and one
republic.
The death of General Taylor was felt, in all
quarters, TO be public calamity. Nations cannot
afford, at any time, to lose their great and good
men, and, above all, such men as General Taylor,
who had achieved the most brilliant victories in
the field, and who, in the simplicity of his private
character, and the transformations honesty of his
public life, had won for himself the most sacred
place in the hearts OF his fellow-countrymen. The
loss of such man, at time like this, abun-
dant cause for the universal mourning which has
clothed the whole nation in wo. But, aside from
the consolation which we feel in government like
this, where we know that, in such a crisis the
death of great and patriotic President gives place
10 none of those agtations which shake the govern
ments of Europe when their leaders die, we cannot
but rejoice even in the midst of our grief, that
the country reposes with confidence on its present
councillors. We mourn the death of the brave and
good old man; but there is little regret over the
fall of his cabinet They give place, natu-
rally, inevitably, and fortunately, to the ablest
successors. The nation passed through the
transition, which was marked with tears on
all sides, for the loss of it, chief and with
gratulations which could not be concealed or
suppressed that the sad dispensation had brought
90 The control of affairs some of our greatest
statesmen.
had LEI its hero President in his honored tomb, it
/ became matter of general curiosity, and indeed
of sole tude, to know who was to be called in, to
counsel the new President in his administration.
| At another period, there might have been some
question in regard TO the propriety of Mr.. Fill
more's course but before his final decision was
known, the choice of the nation had been decided.
| We venture to say, that at no period in the history
1 -. L. Al l.. e L.a.~
vacant, when 80 vast proportion of the citizens of
| the United States would, if called upon to vote,
have filled that post by SO overwhelming ma
jerity. 1t was inevitable, as a matter of necessity;
and therefore all the world expected that one OF
the leaders of the wing party would be called to
the department of State. Under these circum-
stances, il was a matter of universal conviction that
Mr. Webster was the man. There would, in fact,
have been degree of improperly in the selection
of any other man, which would not only have
excited the establishment and surprise Of this coun-
try, but of the world; for the name Of Mr.. Web
ster is known as Familiarity in foreign nations,
srrnng the inisiiisa~' ~'".--., as e 10 known al
home. Abroad, he is regarded in precisely the
same light that he is here; and therefore, foreign
nations will receive the intelligence Of his appoint
ment with degree Of pleasure which can be mea
| cured only by the satisfaction with which the
| announcement was made and received in the
! United States.
| What the final result Of the death of General
Taylor, the succession Of Mr.. Fillmore, the cleo.
ton of Mr.. Webster, and the final disposition OF
the slavery question in Congress, may be, human
foresight cannot disclose; but we are persuaded
that il will all be for the best II is too late in the
day to despair Of our government or country. We
have worked out successfully the experiment Of
| intelligent men to govern themselves. We never
proposed TO work out any other problem. II Is not
upon US the responsibility falls, that Hungary could
not achieve her independence, for the terrible
avalanche rush Of the Russian armies on the one
side, and the murderous and barbarous slaughter
OF Haypau ION the other. with the detection Of
Georgey, were not anticipated, nor could they have
entered into the calculations Of Kossuih. II was
no fault Of American republicanism, that Louis
\ Napoleon should have undertaken to crush the
| newborn republic of Rome; nor is il upon our
heads that the world will visit its indignation, il
the last experiment for free institutions in France
shall fall when the murderous system Of socialism
is being propapated throughout that country.
But some Unforeseen and great changes are fore
shadowing themselves in the future, even for own
republic. There is no danger, IL will probably be
admitted on all hands, that anything in the form
Of monsrchy or despotism is likely to take the
| place Of our present system of government What
ever may be the sgitstions we are called on to
psrs through, no man will be found, who viii
advocate reuogTade motion, which would bring
us back to the foul bed of despotism. Crowns,
sceptres, and mitrcs, are the cast of garments OF
an elder world They viii never be welded by
American hands. They will never be placed on
American brows.
But, although We canno, apPreheni any ssbsian-
tiation Of the decayed and eietc forms Of desPot-
ism or hierarchy which Europe is attempting, w
her commissions, to cast of for ever, yet We may
and We do entertain serious alarms, lest radicasm,
bgotry and party spirit may, in some manner, dis
iuIb the serenity Of the republic, IT, indeed, II does