The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-07-23
Eulogies ON General T.yr or.

MR.. CONRAD, OF LOUISIANA
Mr.. Speaker In accordance with a vv;sh =
pressed by many members, have prep AIRED ! rasa
luton adapted to the melancholy even which has
Just been announced and which pur pose - ora :
to the House. Before doing 50, howe yer | would
do violence to my own feelings, as represeo t.ti,a
of that State of which the illustrious deceased va
citizen and the brightest ornament If / did rot
offer some remarks appropriate to the mel anchov
occasion which we assembled. Sci dom bs =
event occurred which strikingly il lustra,s
the uncertainty of life and the instability e rarb
greatness than the one we called upon 10 de-
pore.
few days ago General Taylor was i N his us,aI
robust health. On the fourth of this D,onth he -
tended some ceremonies which took place in com
memoraton of the anniversary of our Rational uGs
pendence. As the ceremonies occurrs ID In the open
air. it is believed that the exposure to a heat Of NJ,
usual intensity produced the NAL adv which A.
about halLpast ten last night, term mated his earth
ly career. A great patriot has Allsni great
benefactor OF has country has depa rted from among
us In few hours nation will be plunged IN
mourning, and the voice Of lame ntation will ascend
from twenty millions of people
1t is not my purpose, Mr.. Speaker to dwell A,
length, on this occasion, on he public career ana
military achievements of Ge,aeral Taylor These
belong to the history Of his country and are deenIv
engraven the memories and the hearts of M
countrymen. prefer to dwell on those minor
traits OF his character which, as they exert less
percepuble influence the deStnies of nations
are too often overlooked BY historians
General Iaylor's was not one of those characters
OF which history furnishes many conspicuous ex-
ampes in which many defects are concealed amid
the dazzling splendor Of single virtue. On the
luminous disc Of his character no dark spots are
discernable HIS biogapher will have no great
foes to Conceal, faults to excuse or crimes to
palliate condemn There is no dark passage in
Ats life which justice will be called upon to con.
denim, or morality to reprove, or humanity to de-
pore. Like the finished production of an artist
the details Of the picture are as correct and as
beautiful as the general outline is grand and i'm
posing.
His heroic courage and military genius are those
qualities to which he is chiefly indebted for his
tame; and yet those who knew him best would not
consider them the prominent attributes of his char
acter On the contrary, this courage appeared
only an adventurous quality, occasionally developed
oy circumstances requiring its exercise. His prom
lnent characteristics, always manifest were an un-
affected modesty, combined with extraordinary |
hrmness stern of duty and of Justice tenn
pered and softened by spirit of universal beneyo-
lence, an inhexible integrity, a truthfuIness that
knew no dissemination, sincerity and frankness /
which rendered concealment or disguise absolutely /
These were the traits that endeared him to his |
friends, and inspired with confidence all who ar
preached him. These were the qualities which in
private lie made nm the upright man, the valu-
able citizen, the devoted friend, the affectionate
husband, the fond father the kind and indulqent
master, and which, brought into public life. mad
him the dlsinterested patriot, and the faithful and
conscientious iunctionary. His martial courage
was set off aud relieved by this group of civic W.
tues, as the brliancy of the diamond is enhanced
by the gem of softer ray by which it is eneircled
The mass of the people in all countries possess
sagacty in detecting the prominent |
traits of their distinguished mem The American
people are inferior TO none in this quality; and
they soon discovered and appreciated The merits Of
General Taylor. IL is not surprising therefore, |
that they called him, almost by accamation, to fiji
the first office in thsir gift.
1t is so common for the most ambitions men 10 |
affect reluctance in accepting those very honors
which they have long and ardently sought, that We
are apt to consider all such professions as indicat-
ing feelings the very 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 a can
didate for the office of President.
The excitement Of politics had no charm for one |
who had always been extremely averse to political
controversy The pOmp and splendor of the Presi-
dental mansion had no temptations for one who
was always remarkable for the simplicity Of his
tastes, and the irugality of his habits Add 10 This
that his unaffected modesty and inexperienee in
public affairs led him sincerely to iistrnst h;s
ability to discharge the duties OF ihis high and res
spOnsible station.
AT no period of our history, indeed was the Ex
eentlve Char surrounded by more difficulties than
lhose when encompassed it when he was called on
- a thitf SIiIft was silH raging with
abated hry; dark cloud was visible on the hor
zon, which poriended that storm OF unusual vin-
lence was approaching, aud would soon burst |
iorth. Under such circumstances, a man even of |
souler heart than his might we'll hesitate before he
consented 20 embark on this sea OF troubles" " |
Aiedng, however, to the public voice, and to the
arguments and persuasions of his friends, he did |
embark. The tempest arose and, in the midst uf |
It's fury, while the vessel of State tossed to and
fro and all eyes were turned with confidence not
unmingled wnh anxiety, on the pilot who, calm |
and collected, guided her course, that pilot was
suddenly swept from the helm.
Here let pause Let us avail ourselves of the
momentary calm which this sad event has pro-
duced, and calmly survey the perils that surround
us-the lowering heavens above, the raging bill
lows below, the breakers on our right The shoals
on our left. Let us prepare to meet these dangers,
like men and like pairiols--t0 overcome them Let
US not despair of the Republic. On the contrary,
let US Determine that she mHst be saved, and she
will he saved. The clouds that overhang Us will
be dispersed, and the glorious stars of our Union
will again shine forth with their wonted splendor.
COL BAKER, OF ILLINOIS.
The late President Of the United States has de-
voted his whole life to the service of his country
Of a nature singuiarly uuambitious, he seems to
have combinr she nlmost genteness of manner with
the greatest drmness of purpose. For more than
thirty years the duties of his station confined him