The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-12
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
TUESDAY, July IL, 1850.
s EN- A TIE.

iv i'm accordance with the rules of the Senate, he
hoped would meet with general favor. lie moved |
that the senior Senator from Alabama, MIR. KING,
be appointed President Of the-Senate pro tempors
Mr. BERRIEN seconded the motion, and briefly q
supported it, ~,
DICKINSON, by the Secretary OF the Senate ana
unanimously adopted.
Mr. KING was then conducted to the Chair by
Mr.. DICKINSON and Mr.. BERRIEN, from whence he
addressed the Senate as follows
SENATORS. Words could but feebly express inc
warm and gratfed feelings which have penetrated
my heart by this manifestation Of klna h ana
confidence 80 unanimously displayed by the repre-
sentativcs of the sovereign States OF Inns Ohoi'
Had it been the pleasure OF my political iriends 70
have placed me in this distinguished position
would have been TO a source OF gratihcauon ana
pride. should have felt, as trust shall always
feel in every situation in which may be placed
that there was imposed upon me solemn Oonga ,h
fathfuness and impartiality. How much higher,
then, Senators, is the obligation imposed upon me
to discharge these duties with the utmost faithful
meas and impartiaty, when ! am called to this
place by political party, by no sectional feeling
but by the unanimous expression of the wishes OF
the Senators in Congress assembled.
While preside here shall endeavor to enforce
mildly but firmly, and trust impartally, all the
rules for the government of this body. shall en-
dcavor to apply the parliamentary law as i is laid
down in the books upon every occasion, believing,
as honestly do, from long experience and obser
walton, that.it is promotive of the harmony OF the
body and of sound Legislation. Should err, look
brother Senators, In spirit ol AiiiducSob W
correct my errors. To such corrections shall al
ways submit with the greatest pleasure.
On motion by Mr.. DICKINSON,
Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House OF
Representatives that the Senate have chosen the
Hon. WILLIAM r. KING president Of the Senate pro
tempore, and that the Secretary wait ON the fres-
dent Of the United States and inform him that the
Senate have chosen the Hon. w r. KING president
Of the Senate pro tcmpOrc.
MIR. WEBSTER, from the committee appointed
the part of the Senate jointly with the commit
tad t,av rtnFf he nj re-
sentatives to consider and report what measures 1t
may be proper adopt in order to show the respect
and affection Of Congress for the memory OF ZACH
TAYLOR, late President OF the United States,
reported in part:
That the funeral take place from the Presidents.
House Saturday next, the ceremonies TO COM
mence at II O'Clock, M, and the procession to move
ut one O'Clock precisely.
That the two Houses of Congress assemble in
their respective chambers Saturday next, at III
O'Clock, and thence move in joint procession to the
Presidents house.
That the chambers of the two Houses be hung in
black, and that the members wear the usual badges
of mourning.
The committee further report that programme
of all the ceremonies proposed on the occasion Will
be published at the earliest moment.
The military and naval arrang ements for the day
will be under the direction of Major General SCOTT,
commanding in chief the army OF the United States,
and Of Commodore WARRrNGToN, the senior OH,
Ger of the navy present, and viii conform, IN all
essential respects, to those adopted on the occasion
Of the funeral of the late President Harrison.
MIR. UNDERWOOD. Mr. President, the report
just made having brought up again to the atten,
ton of the Senate the death OF the late President OF
the United States, and being absent yesterday
when the gentleman from Louisiana, Mr. DowNs)
made his eloquent and appropriate address and Of
fered his resolutions upon that subject, that alb
sence having been occasoned by the fact that was
appointed as one of the committee on the part OF
the Senate to wait upon Mr.. FILLMORE, to make
arrangements preparatory to his taking the oath OF
office, throw myself upon the indulgence of the
Senate, and beg permission to make lew re-
marks
was among the earliest to advocate the election
of General TAYLOR, and, in common With very
large majority of the people of my State, gave him
most cordial support He had been raised among
us. His character formed and developed by
associations with the pioneers Of western wilder
ness; with those who encountered the difficulties
and privations Of settling and improving the most
fertile region Of the globe; and who almost unaded
by Government, relying exclusively upon their
individual resources and energies, success
fully resisted the persevering efforts OF numer-
hordes of warlike sayages to expel them
from the country His father, Richard Taylor,
a soldier of the Revolution, was emicntly quail
flied TO infuse into the mind OF his son those
sentiments of ardent patriotism and lofty he
roism which pervaded all classes with whom
Zachary TAYLOR associated when a boy. Well do
remember that father, for was associated with
him in the Legislature Of Kentucky at time
when questions of constitutional law deeply agi-
tated the entire State, and when rancorous and
bitter politicians threatened the public peace, and
dared to talk of bloodshed. ] remember how con-
demeaned himself amidst the storms of debate and
the fierce collisions of conflicting opinions In these
respects he was the admirable prototype of the
hero of Buena Vista.
With such n father and under the influences OF
the society and circumstances by which General
TAYLOR was surrounded in his boyhood, IL would
have been indeed strange had nc grown up without
n strong prediction for military life. Fortunate
ly for his own fame, fortunately for the glory OF
his country, in youth he put on the nrmor of sol.
der. What followed Is well known history, and
needs no repetition here.
grateful country, penetrated by a deep conyic'
ton of the ntutive sagacity and elevated PATRIOTISM
of General Taylor, united with military achieve,
ments Of unsurpassed splendor and personal
character for truth and honesty without a superior
made him Chief Magistrate. The providence of God
has terminated his earthly career, during this the
first session of Congress since his Inauguration
His father permitted to live and take an eih-
cicnt part in accomplishing those measures which
relieved Kentucky from the threatened horrors OF
civil war. The has been taken hence TO The
world Of spirits, before those agitatng questions
which now excite Congress and the people, and
threatened the destruction Of the government have
been settled. Mysterious providence There were
Thousands and hundreds of thousands OF our coun
tryrnen who looked for help in this time OF need Il
the unbcnding integrity and hrmncss Of purpos'
which ever characterized our late President. Goo
has taken from them this staff Of their reliance
II will be manifested in time whether the measure
Of General TAvLoR's bonors and usefulness being
full and overlooking he was removed by the Rule
Of the Universe 10 give place TO those equally o
better able TO calm political discussions aud to OK
tricatc the country from impending dangers; o
whether the awful judgments of God arc to res
upon for national sims, and for the want Q
that wisdom and spirit Of Cancellation which hnv
heretofore enabled such men as ZACHARY TAyLo
To secure national prosperity and happiness
Whatever purposes OF the Deity the future ma
unfold the present is day OF mourningi and Ger
tain ! am that no portion of our extensive coun
try will feel more sensibly the general beresvcmcr
than the State in which our dead and yet unburic
Chief Magistrate spent the morning OF his life
Kentucky will long remember and mourn for hin
as one of her own sons, and az the commander VIII
led her Mckee, her Clay, her Hardin, her Bar
bour, her Willis, and host of her less dstin
Qushed children to the glorious sacrifice Of life, 3
secure tho triumph Of their country.
And while sympathizc and condole with tn
family OF the great and good man gone iroI
earth forever let us indulge the hope that his brlgi
example will be Of immense value 10 succeedln
generations, and that his spirit and kindred spin
nov constitute blessed society in heaven
On motion by Mr.. ATCHlsON,