The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-10-18
a Tribute to the Memory of Gen
TAYLOR.
BY FREDERIKA BREmER.

saw him but twice, the hero Of the Mexican
war, the chief man in power in the United
States. the late President Zachary Taylor; but
enough to feel that saw in him
san honest man, the noblest work of God.''
The first time was a beautiful evening, on
the green grounds around the White House
The Potomac glistened in the setting sun,
band of music in the grounds was playing the
Star Spangled Banner" and CAV crowd of
men women and children, with nurses and ne
groes were walking about, enjoying the evening,
the music, the green grounds and the view of
the noble river, with the Washington Monument
in giant proportions rising on its banks. Presi-
dent Taylor was among them, not as the kings
oS Europe when they come down among the
people surrounded by guards or star-spang!ed
attendants; no, but unattended d-aone-plain in
attire, as the plainest Of the citizens around him.
the greatest pant Of whom were strangers TO
him.
Yet he seemed to feel that he was amongst
friends, and his honest face and his unassuming
bearing, his raightforward, friendly manner;
the firm and cordial pressure of his hand, made
friend even of the stranger who was for the first
time introduced to him. He stood there serene,
smiling to the children who were running about
and tumbling on the grass in uEconstrained Lbs
erty. He spoke of the pleasure they gave him.
1t was truly republican scene-one of those
we would fain see more of on earth-where all
distance between men, all difference OF rank and
fortune are done away with, and life is again an
Idol full Of innocence and beauty in the lap OF
grea: nature. May the star-spanged banner
float wider and wider over such scenes-such
5anquets of life!
The next time saw President Taylor it was
in one of the splendid rooms Of his mansion; and
with him his beautiful daughter, the sister OF the
Graces, Mrs. Bliss. Political questions, to
which he was called to attend, detained him for
some time from US. When he came he was
cordial and simple in his manner, as before on
the green grounds. Yet he seemed to me not
quite well, and as if he was trying to cast off
from his mind a cloud. And so he did, as gal
liant man and true American gentleman atten-
ding to ladies'. He spoke to US of the Indians
among whom he had been much, and whom he
knew we'll. And as he spoke he frightened, and
his speech flowed on So pleasantly and so cheer
fully, that, had we been egotists, we would have
forgotten how time flowed on, as we forget the
storm which gathered without and ratified at tie
windows.
1t was few days afterwards that heard, in
the Senate, the low, thrilling tones OF Daniel
Webster interrupt the discussion going on, to
announce that "a great misfortune threatened the
land that the President of the United States
was dying-was not expected to outlive the day.
And that very evening, how changed was the
gay sceue in the White House! Death was
tEere-was laying his heavy hand on the beloved
father of the famiy-on the elected head OF the
Republic of the United States.
Yet serene was he even now. In death he
grasped the hand of his wife, and said: My
dear wife, am not afraid TO die. have tried
to do my duty!' And that stern monitor-so
fearful to many--came to him on his deathbed
as comforter, as soothing angel. But he had
long, long since made of him friend.-Duty
had been and was the spring of his life and ac-
tions. His friends and his foes (and he had such
in war and in politics. must join in aeknowledg.
ing that truthfullness and colscientiousness
were the answering qualities Of his mind. In
these virtues he was great
| saw him but twice, and for little while,
but as ] saw him and with what have heard OF
him, can well understand that. brave men, his
companions on the battle field, have wept as
children at his death; and that there is within
the White House a heart who, after that death,
never more viii feel the Joy of life.
Yet happy is she, who can live and glory in
such memories! And happy the man who lived
and died as he--who, on his death-bed, looking
over life of great military and civil import,
could serenely say: i am not afraid to die. l
have endeavored TO do my duty
Washington, july, 1850.