New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-24

had elapsed betweea the early events Of bis life,
and those q more recent period, and the latter
were confined TO a remote district, attracting lIttS
than official notice. His Distinction. great as
it was was rather Of local than national charec
ter But it was not destined 90 70 remsin. In tho
language Of one Of bis biogrsphers, hitherto his
movements had Influenced the fate OF districts th-y
were DOW TO affect the fate Of empires, u attract
the attention OF mankind, and to become portion
Of history"
During this portion Of his public service, the re-
laiioDs between our country and Mexico, arising
from the proposed incorporation OF the Republic oil
Texas into our Union, were beginning TO assume
porteptous character. In anticipation Of collision
between the two nations Gen. TAYLOR, In l64o,
was ordered 10 Place the forces under his command
in such position "a might enable him to act N 'st
promptly and efficiently In the defense OF Texas
afterward 20 take up a position on the Rio Gran1e.
The events which subsequently, occurred, pre-
ceding the happening OF the threatened collision,
eed not be referred 10. They are portion OF the
history of country, with which all are familiar
IL 10 enough to say that state OF war between the
United states and Mexico was recognized by our
Government and that in this emergency General
TAYLOR occupied the post OF Commander oil our
forces. From this moment the measure Of his fame
was full.
have adverted to the incidents 10 his life which
preceded this period with more particularly than
is necessary in respect TO those which follow with
I an unex6mpled rbplOuy ana DfliuhuCy. "cio
/ able 10 do so, would not attempt to recount the
events which within the next few months were
destined to render the hero immortal, and to stamp
deathless renown upon the arms OF our country
! Who is there, even Of the youngest among as,
that does net remember, as il it were ofyesterday,
the thrill Of anxiety with which, throughout the
whole breadth OF country, the eyes OF all were
fixed upon our little army and its gallant leader on
their march from Point Isabel, and the burst OF ex-
utation from every heart and on every tongue as
tidings Of Palo Alto and Resacs de Ia Palmas~ept
over our land? Who, that has forgotten the feVet'
ish solictude with which their progress through
An unconeenial climate and ia the face almost OF
destiny itself was regarded until the victorious
stars and stripes were planted upon the nights Oh
Monterrey Or, as we follow them SUI iurtner,
enfee bled by disease hemmed In on all SIDES In the
very heart OF the enemys country surrounded bya
| hostile force Of overwhelming numbers Who has
forgotten the dread Of Anticipation which pervsded
our land only 10 be succeeded by an universal gush
of 10y, when broke upon the ear the immortal tri
umph OF Buena VISTA Who does not realize, with
all the vivdness ofthe present scene, the boIdnes,
the bravery the selfdenyiDg sacrifices, and not
least of all the humanity ofthe victorious q General
In these unsurpassed achievements, the Ameri'
can people behold the exhibition not only Of every
quality which can ennoble the soldier, but every
trait which digDfes and edorns the man. Gen.
TAYLOR was not only brave ann daring 10 the deld.
bur be was modest retiring and humane In the
midst of bis p-oudest riumphs, the simp lefty OF his
character was not its least remarkable trait. In
recouniDg his victories, he was unassuming almost
TO efft citation IL was enough for him that he had
done bis duty; and when that duty was ended, he
returned like Cincinnatus to his farm, apparently
with no other desire than TO devote the remainder
of bis life TO retirement and repose. But in this
purpose he was not permitted to indulge. Toe
hearts of his countrymen beat high with gratitude
and it was not long before the highest trust within
their gift was rendered to him as his reward.
Scarcely having set bis foot on his native soil, the
popular enthusiasm exhibited itself in tones not TO
be mis-, AIKEN, and for time the ties of party aud the
allegiance Of political association seemed almost TO
| have lost their power. The integrity and single
ness of purpose-the lofty patriotsm-the bold aud
daring cbivalry-the moderation in triumph-and
the truly republican simplicity which marked bis
| character, and in all which he was not inapty com
pared 10 the father Of his country, had struck a
chord in the American heart. IL responded to the
touch and the acclamatiOns OF his country speedily
called him to guide the political destnies Of twenty
millions Of publican freemen.
Called IS be was from the field, in which his
whole life bad been spent, be naturally encountered
entertainments in the execution OF bis hi5 trust
to which none Of his predecessors had been ex-
posed. While he was deeply embued with the
spirit Of repubicsnism, aud with the most patriotic
devotion to the institutions OF bis country, unlike
them, he had participated in no degree In the poll
teal discussions Of the day, and was wholly unia-
milisr With the inrcsces Of diplomacy, and Of the
training which might be supposed to qualify him
for the difficulties and responsibilities Of the Cabi-
net Council.
Entering then upon this new and untried sphere
and that too at the most crit al period in the histo
~ Of our Country there was enough la the circum.
ttsnces by which he was surrounded to have DIS
mayed the stoutest heart. But he shrunk not
from the task. Firm in tbs integrity Of his patti
otto purpose, though diifdent in his capacity TO
meet the crisis, he threw himself upon the gene
rosty Of his country men, and assumed his high
functions with the declared purpose 10 administer
the government for the benefit of cOuatry not Of
| party, to restrain the executive power within lis
! legitimate limits, 10 second the constitutional ef-
forts Of the repre- sentstves of the people, aud last
and above all, 10 maintain those institutions which
he had ever yenerSted, and 10 defend at every
! hazard that glorious Union whose flag he had so
often borne aloft amid the shouts of victory. Ia
the execution Of this holy purpose surrounded by
| the respect and admiration of his country, firmly
| fixed in the veneration Of the American people,
snd with a heart beating high in aspiration to
heaven, for the perpetuIty aud glory of our insttu
tons, he has been suddenly cut down, and nation,
psraly zed no less by the suddenness than the Sc
verify Of the blow, stands gathered in solemn sad.
ness around his tomb.
From this affecting dspensation how i'm pressive
the lesson 10 this land How fall Of incentive 10 q
seli sacrificing patriotism on the part of ALL Is
the example OF the illustrious dead How full OF
sdmonition to abate the acrimony OF political con
tention, and animated by the highest ohlig atoms
OF duty TO our country, to maintain at every sacri-
nee The glory and perpetuity of our Union
Political differences and personal preferences, "
SAID distinguished statesman on an occasion
similar TO this are incidental to free Institutions
T perhaps the healthtul action Of our Government
requires them. But let differ As brethren Of the
same great fraternity, holding the same rishts
bound by the same ties, and seeking the good Of
our common country Let US differ, with this day',
affecting scenes fresh in our minds The grave i,
, ssacred composer of dissentions. How ii smooth,
the rough edges OF coufic, l--how it rebukes the
harshness OF angry discussion and no path Of ali
. these thousands but Leads to the sepalchre. Lei
the prospect moderate our political controversies
Let the world behold q spectacle worthy of frss