The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-12

Dciieo VI oAdaoruihafy energy ana IOfce OF cnar-
acter. In 1908 he was appointed, during the
army of the United States he rose in 1912 to
the rank of captain; and after the declaration of
war with Great Britain in that year, he was bre-
yeted major by President Madison for his mem
orable and gallant defence of Fort Harrison,
with handful of men, against large body of
savages. In 1892, then advanced to the rank of
colonel he distinguished himself in the Black
Hawk war; was ordered into Florida, in 1886,
and for his signal services against the savage Sem
inoles was created a brevet brigadier general
and commandcr-in-chief in Florida. Subsequent
ly, he was transferred to the command of the
division of the army in the Southwestern portion
of the Union; was ordered into Texas in IS45 !;
advanced to the banks of the Rio Grande; and
afterwards, beginning with the battles of the 9Th
and 9th of May, 1876, at Palo Alto and Resaca
de Ia Palma, and ending with Buena Vista, he
overthrow, with fearful odds against him, and
signally defeated the most skilful Of the Mexican
generals, Ampuda, Arista, Paroles, and even the
President Of Mexico himself, and, by series Of
brilliant victories, gained for himself and the
brave armies under his command, a worldwide
renown, commanding the verdict aud admiration
of Europe and America, and securing an enyiable
and proud place in the brightest chapters of the
history of American arms.
But why attempt to portray his life or de-
scribe his action This is not the time nor place for
such purpose if had the ability to do it justice
His history is part of the history of his country,
and therefore needs no aid of friends to pre-
serve it. The battle fields Of Fort HARRISON of
Okeechobee, Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma,
Monterey, and the most glorious of them all,
Buena Vista, are at once his monuments and
his eulogiums. He needs no others. OF his
political history this is not the place, nor the
person to speak. Yet may, l hope, be par
doned for single remark. The wisest and
best counsels of public men in free country
free in speech, in the press, and in the ballot
cannot be expected to go unquestioned. 1t
would not be free country if they were. But
it is consolatory to know that whatever differ
ences Of opinion may have existed as to the
policy OF him whose untimely death we all so
much lament, they are already, before the tomb
has been closed over him, buried in oblivion
forever. He is hereafter to belong to no party,
to no section, but to the whole American family,
and his memory will be reycred and cherished
by them all alike
But let not the tears we are shedding over our
departed President blind us to the grandeur of
the scene in which we stand. Did the world
ever witness such one beforeg How soon, if
Chief of Nation of more than twenty millions
of freemen is suddenly withdrawn from the world
by an act of God, followed by no disturbance of
the perfect equipoise of our institutions. The
gentlemen composing the Cabinet of the late
President, after his decease, and at the approach
of midnight, without ostentation, quietly repair
to the residence of the Vice President, and there
announce the national bereavement Within
twenty-four hours thereafter he will have taken
the oath OF Office, without any military parade,
and been installed in command Of the ship of
State, which moves on over the pillows of time,
more bright and buoyant than ever, bearing at
her masthead the proud emblems of national
glory and greatness, and presenting to the world
sublime spectacle Of the beauty and perfection
of self-government.
Such a scene as this ought to make us hap
pier and better people. 1t should make us
sensible ofthe great and manifold advantages we
enjoy as free and united people Let us, then,
bury in the tomb of our departed President all
sectional feelings and divisions, and unite once
more in that spirit of cordial good will and BROTH
erly love which united our forcfathers in the
earlier days Of the republic. Let us renew be-
fore we leave his grave, our vows to support the
Union, and our determination to perpetuate our
Constitution in all its primeval simplicity and
and honors for all of us, while we preserve the
Union, and know how wisely and prudently to
enjoy it. ,.-@
Mr. d. then submitted the following resolu-
tons: 'tr'-' --.r'
@Whcreas, it has pleased Divine Providence to
remove from this life ZACHARY TAYLOR, late
President ofthe United States, the Senate, shar-
ing in the general sorrow which this melancholy
event must produce, is DESTROYS of manifesting
its sensbility on the OCCASION Therefore
"Resolred, That committee, consisting of
Messrs. WEBSTER, CAss, and KING, be appointed
on the part of the Senate, to meet such com
mittee rs may be appointed on the part of the
House of Representatives, to consider and re-
port what measures it may be deemed proper to
adopt to show the respect and affection Of
Congress for the memory of the illustrious de-
ceased, and to make the necessary arrangements
for his funeral
"Ordered, That the Secretary of the Senate
communicate the foregoing resolution to the
House of Representatives
Mr. WEBSTER Mr. Secretary, at time
when the great mass of our fellow-citizens en-
JOY remarkable health and happiness through
out the whole country, it has pleased Divine
Providence to visit the two houses of Congress,
and especially this House, with repeated occa-
sions for mourning and lamentation. Since the
commencement of the session, we have followed
two of onr own members to their last home,
and we are now called upon, in conjunction
with the other branch of the Legislature, and in
full sympathy with that deep tone of affection
which am sure is felt throughout all the coun-
try, to take part in the last and due solemnities
of the funeral of the late President of the United
States.
Truly, sir, was it said in the communication
read to us, that a" great man has fallen among
u.s." The later President of the United States,
originally soldier by profession, having gone
through a long and splendid career of military
service, had, at the close of the late war with
Mexico, become so much endeared to the people
of the United States, and had inspired them
with so high degree of regard and confidence,
that, without solicitation or application, without
pursuing any devious paths Of policy, or turning
hairs breadth to the right or the left from the
path of duty, a great, and powerful, and gener-
Gus people saw fit, by popular vote and voice, to
confer upon him the highest civil authority in
the nation. We cannot forget that as III other
INSTANCES an II, tbis tho p,,blc foolinor w.e won