Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-08-02
VOL, 2.---N0. AZ.
EULOGIEs ON GEN. TAYLOR.

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gain. during the present session, has a
warning voice come from the tomb, say.
ing to all of us. "Be We also ready
Two OF our colleagues have fallen in the
midst of their labors, and we have fol.
lowed them to the narrow house where
all must lie. In life we are in death; and
this lesson which accompanies us from
the cradle to the grave, is among those
merciful dispcnsations of Providence
which teach US how transtory are
the things around us, and how sooi, they
must be abandoned for an existence with
no hope but that which is held out oy the
Gospel OF our Saviour. And now an
other solemn warning is heard; and this
time il will carry mourning TO the hearts
OF twenty millious Of people. impress
sively has it been said and repeated, "A
great man has fallen in Israel" In the
Providence Of God the Chief Magistrate
OF the Republic, to whom his fellow cit
izens had confided the high executive
duties of the country, has been suddenly
taken from us-ripe, indeed, in years
and honors. 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 a posi-
tion as this world offers to human hopes
has been struck down in crisis which
demanded all his frmness and wisdom.
The conqueror upon many battle field
has fought his last fight aud been van.
quished. The soldier who had passed
unharmed through MANY bloody fray
has fallen before the shaft of the great
destroyer. How truly are we told, that
there is one epenf unto all The mighty
and the lowly descend to the tomb to-
gether, and together are covered with
clods of the valley; and thus pass away
The honors and cares of life!
The moment is too solemn and i'm
pressive for labored addresses. Tho'ts,
not words, are The tribute which demands.
History will Go justice 10 the deceased
patriot. He will live in the memory OF
his counirymen, as he lived in their
hearts and affections. His active life
was spent in their service, and in those
scenes of peril, of exeriion, and of ex-
posure which it is the lot of the Ameri-
can soldier to encounter, and which he
meets without murmur, faithful 10 his
duty, lead him where it may in life or
death. His splendid military exploits
have placed him among the great cap
tains of the age, and will be an imperish-
able monument of his own fame and of
the glory of his-country. In the dispar-
iiy Of force, they carry us back for SINH
lar examples to the earlier ages of the
world--to the comba,s which history
has recorded, and where inequality yield
ed TO the exertion of skill and vaor.-
But | need not recur TO them: are they
not written in burning characters upon
the heart of every American!
Strong in the confidence OF his coun-
trymen, he was called to tie Chief Mag
stracy at a period oe great difficulty
more portentous, indeed. than any we
have ever experienced. And now he
has been called by Providence from his
high functions, with his mission unful-
filled, leaving us to mourn his loss and
to honor his memory. His own last
words, spoken with equal truth and sin
ceriiy, constitute his highest eulogy. 81
am not afraid to die," said the dying
patriot; 81 have done my duty" The
integrity of his motives was never as
sailed or assailable. He has passed
through life, and long and active one,
neither meriting nor meeting reproach;
and in his last hours the conviction 0!
the honest discharge of his duty was
present to console, even when the things
of this life were fast fading away.
Let US hubby hope that this affecting
dispensalion Of Providence may not be
without its salutary influence upon the
American people and upon their repre-
senntiyes. II comes in the minds Of a
siropg agitation, threatening the mos,
disastrous consequences TO our country,
and to The great cause Of selfgovernment
throughout the world. 1t is solemn
appeal, and should be solemnly heard
and needed. His death. whose loss we
mourn, will not be in vain if it tends to
subdue the feelings that have been excl.
ted. and to prepare the various sections oil
our country for mutual spirit of for
bearance, which shall ensure the safety
Of all by The jealous cooperation of all.
We could offer nomore appropriate nor
durable tribute to departed worth than
such a sacrifice of conflicting views upon
the altar of our common country. In
life and in death he will equally have
devoted himself toher service and hel
safety.
Mr.. Winthrop rose and proceeded as
follows:
1t would not be easily excused, Mr.,
Speaker. by those whom ! represent in
this Hall, if there were no Massachu-
sets voice to respond TO the eulogy
which has been pronounced by Louis-
ana upon her illustrious and lamenled
son. Indeed, neither my personal feel.
ing nor my political relations to the liv-
ing or to the dead, would permit me to
remain altogether silent on this oc casion.
And yet, sir, confess, know not how
to say anything satisfactory to my self. OF
suitable 10 the circumstances of the hour.
Tia ovant IN hich hoe met hoc, ~ ~;