The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1850-08-08


70 dep!orc. Like the finished production o
an artist, lie details of the picture are as cor
kffffct aud as beau!iful as the general outline i,
grsrd and imposing.
HIS heroic courage and military genius are
those qualities TO which he is chitn, indebted
lof his lame; aud yet those who knew hln
oest would not consider them the proinI.eut
attributes ol his character. o. the contrary,
This courage appeared only On sdvenli,iou.
quality. occasionally developed by circu,ns'sn.
ces requiring its exercise. Hhis proDlnen,
charscterislics, always msnifes,, were an TN.
atiecfsd smcdesty, combined with ex,raofd ma
~ hfmness. stern sense of duty. sud OF JUS.
tice, tempered .iih benevoence, an uh.aIble
integrity, tfuthiulness tha, knew no dissmu.
ls'iun. sincerity end trankness which ren
defed conceaIment or disguise absolutely ne
cessary.
These were the traits that endea,ed i'm 10
his trends, and inspired with confidence ali
VINO spproached him. These were the quail
tics Shch in private life made him the up.
right man, the valuable ciilz n, the devoted
friend, the siiectionate husband, the fond faith.
er, the ind and Indulgent master. and which
brought INTO public life, mad- him llle d,sin
terested patriot and the faithful and couscien
'iou. funcloasry. Hrs marital courass was
set III and relieved by this grou, of civic yir.
tues, as Inc brllancy of the diamond is en-.
hanced by The gem Of softer ray by which i.
is eucircled.
The mass Of The people in all coun,rie.
possess a wonderful sagac,ty in detecting the
prominent TRAITS OF their distinguished men.
The American people are inferor to none in
this qualify; aud they soon discovered and
appreciated the merits Of General Tay lor. Il
10 no. surprising, therefore, that they called
him almcs, by acciama,ion, to fiji the 6fs, Of.
fee IN their gift.
II is so common for the mos, Ambitious men
TO aftc! reluctance in accepting those very
honcrs which they have long and ardsnily
sought, thatwe are apt to consider oil such
professions as indicating feelings the very re
verse oflhose they express. Tho.e, hosev.
a., sho know General Taylor well, entertain
ed no doubt OF the sincerity Of his deciafa
llons ~hen hs was called upon to be Q cand
date for the ui.iee Of President.
The exc!lcmen. Of politics had no charm
tor ons Who had always been extremely u.
verse to political controversy. The pomp and
splendor Of the Presidential mansion had no
temptations tor one " ho was always remark
able tot the simplicity Of his tastes and The
| trug tlity of his hsb's. Add TO this, tha, his
unaffected medesty end insxperence in pub.
lie affairs led him sincer ly TO dtsirust his abi
ity ITO discharge the dl,ies Of This high and
responsible g station.
! A TO period Of our history, indeed, was the
Executive chair, surrounded by more I'll ,ul
tics than those which encompassed 1t shen
he was called on to occupy ii. Patty spirit
was sui raging with unabated fury; a daik
cloud was visible on The horizon, which por.
,eaded that q storm Of unusual violence was
approaching, and would shortly burst forth
u. der such circumstances, mln even of
stou'ee heart on his might well hesitate te
lore lie consent. d 10 embark than his " sea Of
troubles" Yielding, however, to the public
voice, and 10 the arguments and persuasion
OF his friends, he did embark. The tempest
arose. and in the midst Of its fury, while The
vessel of State was tossed 10 and fro, and all
eyes we're turned with a conf ience 10, On.
mingled With anxiety on the pllo, who, calm
ard collected, guided her course, that pilot
was suddenly swept from the helm
| Here lei Us pause Let US avail ourselves
OF the momenary calm which this sad event
has produced, and calmly survey the peril.
that s1riound us--,he lowering heavens atove
he raging bIliows below, the breakers on our
tlsht, the shoals Gu cur left. Let US prepare
10 ueet these dangers like mea and ike pat
fiots to overcome them. Let US MOI despair
Of the republic. Oa the contrary, let US de
,e.mine hat she must be saved, AID she i'll
be saved. The clouds that ovethang US will
be dispersed and tho glorious stars Of our
tnlon will again shine forth with their won
Ted srlendor.
Mr.. WINTHROP rose and spoke as fol.
lows:
| 1t would not be casily excused, Mr.. Speak
er, By those whom represent IN this Hall, if
there we're no Massachus etls voice 10 respond
TO The eulogy which has been pronounced by
l. oulsiana upon her iliust,i,us and iamehted
son. Indeed, ueiher my personal feelings
nor my personal relations TO tie living or The
dssd, would permit mo to remain altogether
slent on this occasion. And yet, sir, con-
fess, | know not how to say ahy thing salts
factory to myself, or suitable to the circum-
stances Of The hour.
Tne event which has just been ottiaia!i,
announced, has come upon us so suddenly
has so overwhelmed US with Mingled emotions
Of surprise aud sadness that all ordinary
forms Of expression seem TO lose their sis.
nticance, and one would fam bow his head to
the blow in silence. until its first shock has i'll
some degree passed away.
Cer,aely, s.r, no enc can fail TO realize
,ha. mos, momeniuoas aud mysterious Pso,,.
dence has been manifested IN our midst. Al
a moment when, more than almos. ever be-
fore in cur history, the dessinles ot our coua-
tru casn,ad Ii all human si1hi io be lnaa nar 1.