Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-07-25
speech of General Cas- on the death of General

Taylor.
On the death of President Taylor being officially
communicated to the Senate by the Vice-President,
Mr.. Fillmore, Mr.. Downs, after making remarks
suitable to the occasion, offered resolution appoint
ing Messrs. Webster, Cass and King, committee
on the part of the Senate, TO meet such committee
as might be appointed by the House of Representa-
tves, to consider and report what measures might
be deemed proper TO adopt to show the respect and
affection of Congress for the memory of the de-
ceased. Eulogies then pronounced by Messrs
Webster, Cass and King. That of Gen. Cass does
equal credit to his head and heart considering him
as but lately the rival of Gen. Taylor in great DO
litical struggle. We have not room for the other
speeches. MIR. Cass said:
Again and again during the present session, has a
warning voice from the tomb, saying to all of us
90 Be also ready" Two of our colleagues have fall
len in the midst of their labOrs and have followed
them to the narrow house where all lie In life
IN death; and this lesson which accOmpanies "a
from the cradle to the grave, is among those mercifu
dispensatons of Providence which teach how transit
tory are the things around us and how they must
be abandoned Tor an existence with hope but that
which Is held out by the gospel Of our Saviour And
another solemn warning heard: and this time il
will carry mourning to the hearts of twenty millions of
people Impressirely has it been said and repeated
80 A great has fallen in Israel" In the providence
of God the Chief Magistrate of the republic TO whom
his fellow citizens had conded the high executive duties
of the country has been suddenly taken from us-rpc
indeed years and honos and but the other day in the
full possession Of his health and with the promise of
years of faithful and patriotic services before him. The
statesman, occupying as proud position this world
offers to human hopes, has been struck down in crisis
which demanded all his rmness and wisdom. The con-
queror upon many battlefield has fought his last ght
and been vanquished. The soldier who had passed un
harmed through many bloody fray has fallen before the
shaft of the great destroyer How truly are we told that
Tho naioh md .l,ol
descend to the tomb together and together covered
with the cold cod of the valley and thus pass away the
honors and the of life
The moment is solemn and impressive for labored
addresses. Thoughts, words the tribute which
demands. History will do justice the deceased pa
triot He will live in the memory of his countrymen as
he lived IN their hearts and affections His active life
spent in their service, and in those Of peril
OF exerton, and OF exposure which il is the lot of the
American soldier to encounter, and which he meets
without murmur, faithful to his duty lead him where
it may in life death. His splendid military EXHIBITS
have placed him among the great captains of the age
and will be imperishable monument of his own fame
and the glory of his country In the disparity of force
they carry back for similar examples to the earlier
ages OF the word-to the combats which history has
recorded and where inequality yielded to the exerton
of skill and valor But need not recur to them: are
they written burning characters upon the heart of
every Americana
Strong in the confidence of his countrymen, he was
called to the Chief Magistracy at period of great diff
iculty-more portentous, indeed than any have
|
dence from his high functions with his mission unfu
filled leaving tic mourn his loss and honor his
DRY. His own last words, spoken with equal truth and
sincerity, constitute his highest eulogy " L am not
afraid TO de-, said the dying patriot; " have done nv
duty" The integrity OF his motives was never assaied
assailable. He had passed through lie and a long
and active one neither meriting meeting reproach
and In his last hour the conviction of the honest discharge
of his duty present console even when the things
of this life were fast fading away.
Let humbly hope that this affecting dispcnsation of
Providence may not be without its saluary influence
upon the American people and upon their representa-
tiyes. 1t comes in the midst of strong agitation,
threatening the most disastrous consequences our
country, and to the great of selfgovernment
throughout the world 1t is solemn appeal and should
be soemnly heard and needed His DEATH whose loss
moan, will not be in vain if it tends to subdue the
feelings that have been excited and prepare the
sections of country for mutual spirit of for
bearance, which shall ensure the safety of all by the
jealous cooperation of ALL We could offer more
appropriate durable tribute departed worth than
such sacrifice of conflicting views upon the altar Of
country. In life and in death he will equally
have devoted himself to her service and her safety