Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-03-10
Aneodote of President Taylor.

A correspondent Of the N. Y. Tribune
states that Messrs. Toombs and Stephens Of
G eorgia twho abandoned the Wing porty |
when Gen. Scott was nominated for the Pres /
idcncy,) are the real authors Of The Nebras-
ka bill and in showing up their antecedents,
he gives this specdoie;
"Many Of our readers will remember the
exiravagant Georgia resolutions of isl9-5O,
whose paternity is to be imputed to Senator
Toombs and his ally, Mr.. stephens, wherein
it was announced that that Sovereign state
would Withdraw her representatives in Con-
gress and take up her line Of march out of
the Union in the event Of the happening Of
one or two events--one of these being the
admission Of California as State, and the
other the passage Of the Wilmot Proviso by
Congress. At that period, Messrs. Toombs
and Stephens were the rampant propagators
of the policy of resistance to the Govern
ment unless its legislation accorded with
their demands for Slavery. 1t was within
few months after the passage of those extra
ordinary resolutions, and but Just before the
death of Gen Taylor, that these two gentle
men, accompanied by IIumprey Marshall,
/ Mr. Fillmore's Minister to China, and one or
two other gentlemen from the South, pro-
ceeded to the White House and peremptori-
4 ly demanded TO know of Gen. Taylor If he
did not intend to change his course respect
ing the admission of California and the or
guization of New Mexico, accompanying
the demand with what was substantially,
not consent to yield to their insolent exac-
tons They dared to beard the lion in his
den Gen. Taylor's memorable reply Is well
known. lie felt himself insulted and ontra-
eed heyond expression by their demands
lie ...dignantly drove them from his presence
in language far more significant than polite.
Ills determined spirit was reused in oil It's
force by the scenes Of that interview, and
they we're the theme of his dolirous mo-
ments in his last illness, and undoubtedly
hastened his DEATH In reply to their daring
llstnuauoH ludi lut Nouln "Vulu it9lat Hi9
administration, and that the Territory of
New Mexico would be invaded by Tcxns,
and thus beco ne the battle-ground whereon
the South would assert her rights, Gen Tay-
lor declared 10 them, IN words Of fire, that if
that contest came, he was determined to do
his entire duty. That if necessary, he would
himself repair to the field, and raising the
STANDARD Of the stars aud Stripes with his
own hand. would conquer their traitor dem
onstration, or leave his bones to bleach upon
the plain. lie aiterwCrd scornlully added
that he " feared that the d. lascals would
back out" This Reconstructed Commit
tee of faction then skunk from the old hero's
presence, aud hied to their conlederates,
where a report Of their future to intimdite
the President, was made in terms Of utter
dependency at their prospects. At that Gel
ebraled interview with Gen. Taylor, the
domneering spirit Of Slavery extension was
eiIectually quelled. And if Gen. Taylor had
lived, we should have had no subsequent
Compromises, and heard no more of It's bra
zen demands, its impudent thleatenings, and
its Infamous aggresslons now projected -
But he died, and that spirit renewedly reared
ed its black head, cracked It's lash over the
North, and strobe onward to victory