The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-11


The highest eiyh authority ia the government which he
admil'sefed with much honor and ayan'ase 90 his
country, aud by whose sudden death many hopes Of
future nsal1lness have been blighied forever.
10 you. seosso aud representatives. Of nation 70 ear
which you oppressed appea,o you aid under
The tying which surround IN The dis
barge or The duties from which, however much be
by them, dare not shrink aud rely upon Him
who holds His hands the detnies OF nations, 70 sndow
ms with requisite strength for the task, and
from county the evils apprehended nom The heavy
calamity which has be6alen US
shall most readily IN Whatever me esures the /
Wisdom OF the houses may suggest as ben'ung this
deeply melancholy occasion. NJIrdARp FIItMoRE.
wAsulseros July TO- 1850.
Mr.. CONRAD next and SAID
Mr.. SPEAKER: In accordance with wish expressed
by many members, have prepared resolution adapted
and which purpose to offer TO the House Before do
ing however, would do violence my own feelings
AS representative Of tina, Stale Of which The illusnous
deceased citizen and the brightest ornaments did
not offer rema ks appropriate to the melancholy oc
casion ON which we are assembled seldom has an
event occurred which more strikingly illustrates the
certainty OF life and the instability Of earthly greatness
than the one we are called ulofto deplore
few days ago General Taylor was IN his usual 70
bust health On the fourth OF this month he attended
some ceremonies which took place in conmemoraton OF
the anniversary OF national independence AS the
ceremonies occurred in the open ar, y believed that
the exposure heat OF unusual intensity produced The
nalady which, at about half past ten last night, Ter
minated his earthly great patriot has fallen
A great benelactor OF his country has departed IRON
among us In few hours natlon will be plunged IN
mourning, and the voice OF amenation will ascend IRON
twenty millions oil people!
Ii is not my purpose Mr. Speaker, to dwell at length,
on this occasion, on the public cafeer and the military
achievements OF General Taylor These belong to the
history OF his country and deeply engrayen on the
memories and the hearts OF his countrymen prefer to
dwell those minor Of his character which, az they
exert less percepble influence the destInes OF ma
ions. too often overlooked by historians
General IAYLoRs was not one OF those characters, OF
which history furnishes many conspicuous examples, IN
which many defects concealed, amid the dazzling
sPendor OF single virtue On the luminous DISC OF BIS
character dark spots dscenibe. HIS bogapher
will have great ioes to conceal faults to excuse
or crines paate condemn. There is no dark pas
sage has lie which justice will be called upon to
(demn, or morality to reprove, humanity 10 deplore
Like the finished production OF an artist, the details OF
the picture correct and beautiful the general
outline is grand and imposing.
His heroic courage and military genius are those quail
ties to which he is chiefly indebted Tor his fame and yet
those who knew him best would not consider them the
prominent attributes Of his character On the contrary
this courage appeared only adventurous quality
slonaly developed by circumstances requiring ITS exer
else His prominent characteristics always manifest,
unaffected nodesty, combined with exraordl
nary rmness stern of duty, and OF justice TEN
pered and soened by spirit of universal benevoence
naexible integrity, truhulness that knew no dis
sImulaon sincerity and irankness which render ed
concealment disguise absolutely unnecessary
These the traits that endeared hun to his friends
and inspired with confidence all who approached him
These the qualities which in private life made him
the upright man, the valuable citlzen the devoted rend
the aectionate husband The fond father, the Kind and
nuugent master, duu WHICH, Drought PUBIC NE,
made him the disinterested pafo and The faithful and
conscientious functionaTy His martial courage SET
oil and relieved by this group OF civic virtues as the
brIlIiancy oil the diamond enhanced by The gem OF
softer ray by which il is encrcled.
The mass OF the people in all countries possess won
deru sagacy IN detecting the prominent traits OF Their
none in this quality and they soon discovered and ap
preciaed the merits OF General TAYLOR II Is not sur
prsng therefore, that they called him, almost by accla
nation, TO ill the first Office In their gilt
1t is common for the most ambitious men to affect a
reluctance in accepting those very honors which they
LA We long and ardeny sought, that apt
slider all such professions indicating feelings The very
reverse of those they express Those, however, who
knew General TAYLoR WELL entertained no doubt OF the
entire sincerity OF his declarations when he called
upon to be candidate for the Office OF President
The excitement of politics had no charm for one who
had always been extremely averse TO political conuovet-
sy The pomp and splendo OF the presidential MANSION
had temptations for who always remarkable
for the simplicity OF his and the irugaliiy OF his
habits Add to this that his unaffected modesy and Inc
perence public affairs led hun sincerely to dslrust hls
ability to discharge the duties OF tins high and responsible
T station.
AT period of history, indeed, the executive
chair surrounded by difficulties than those which
eacompassed II when he called on to occupy II
Party spirit was still raging with undated fury dark
cloud visible the horizon which porended that
storm of unusual violence approaching and would
shortly burst forth Under such circumstances
OF souer heart than his might well besae before he
scented 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
and in the midst OF lis fury, while the vessel OF
Stale tossed to and ro, and all eyes were turned with
confidence not unminged with Anxiely the pilot
who calm and collected, guided her course, that pSpt
was suddenly swept from the helm
Here lei pause Let avail ourselves OF the
mentary calm which thus sad has produced, and
calmly survey the pers that surround usihe lowering
heavens above the raging pillows below the breakers
on right, the shoals left Let prepare TO
these dangers like enand like patriots,
come them. Let us not despair OF the republic On the
contrary, let us determine that she must be saved, and
she will be saved The cloufs that oyehang Us will be
dispersed, and the glorious of Union will again
shine forth with their wonied splendor
beg leave TO submit the following resolutions;
Whereas 1, has pleased Divine Provdence 10 remove from
,is life ZACHARY TAYLOR late President Of the United
States, the House OF Representatives sharing tue gene r
sorrow which this anoboly produce des
rous Of man.esunghs sensbiliy the occasion There
fore,
Resolued, That commiie consisting of - members
be appointed the part OF this Honse such
miuee Toe appointed the part of the Senate,
consider and report what measures Il may be deemed
proper TO adopt order show the ana att
Congress Tor the memory OF the lnsrous deceased aud
10 make the Tor his funeral.
Rssotped That this resolution be communicated The
Scuate.
MIR WINTHROP rose to second the resolutions and
proceeded as follows
1t would not be easily excused, Mr. Speaker by those
whom represent this hall. If there were no Massa
chusei voice TO respond to the euogy which has been
pronounced by LOUISIANA upon her iustious and la
'neDted son Indeed neither my personal feelings
my political relations 10 The living or to the dead would
permit me TO remain altogether silent this
And yet sir, confess know not how to say anything
satisfactory TO myself suitable to the circumstances OF
the homer
The event which has just been officially announced