The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-03
Copyright Mary S. Lockwood.
CHAPTER VIII.

TAYLoR's BRIEF OCCUPANCY.
The New England Wing" Old Rough and
Ready Admission of ~Califomia-Mr
Claws Compromise Bill"-The Presi-
dents fatal Illness" Betty Bliss BEAU
tiful Women and Brilliant Men-Death of
the President-Mrs. Taylor Returns to Ken
lucky.
1T Is THE UNEXPECTED THAT WE
often find happening in politics. In a
q Government like ours, where the popular
- will selects its candidates for the highest
office within its gift, as often from those
who suddenly come into popularity as from
those who have by honest integrity worked
their way to fame, step by step, Presidential
honors do not always fall to those born to
the wearing of them.
For brilliant military achievements in the
Indian and Mexican wars Gen. Taylor had
become so popular that his election to the
Presidency in 1S4S was a foregone conclusion,
notwithstanding the divisions in the Wing
Party and the prejudice existing against him
rs Shareholder.
The New England wing of his party, headed
by Mr.. Webster. strenuously opposed him on
that ground; and because of his want OF re-
fnement and experience in National affairs
called him IAN ignorant frontier Colonel. "
His cognomen, "Old Rough and Ready, +"
told the story of his popularity.
He had no desire for the position, and his
Characteristic reply, when he received the
official announcement, was: For more than
a quarter ola century my house has been the
tent and my home the battlefield"
The platform he announced as the only one
he was willing to stand upon was: :" have
no private purposes to accomplish, no party
projects to build up, no enemies to punish,
nothing to serve hut my country"
He had done so well in the field that the
majority of the people felt sure Of his admin
istrative ability, notwithstanding his pro-
slavery principles. In the bitter controversy
over the admission of California rs an addi-
ticnal free State, which would give majority
Of one to the anti-slavehelding States Presi-
cent TAYLOR stood squarely by the people in
their right to form State Constitutions to suit
themselves, and believed that they should be
admitted into the Union, with or without
slavery as their Constitutions might prescribe
Upon a threat of revolt, he declared that if
that standard were raised he would himself
take the field to suppress it at the head Of an
army of volunteers, and should not for that
purpose, deem it necessary to call upon a
single soldier from the North. This patriotic
position had a very quoting effect upon the
turbulent spirits behind these revolutionary
movements
CLAY's COMPROMISE MEASURES.
Mr.. Clay came forward with compromise
measure for the settlement of all differences
growing out of the slavery question. This
served as oil on the troubled waters, as did
his Missouri Compromise bill of 1921 From
II
Slave Law, and bills admitting California to
the Union, organizing the Territories of New
Mexico and Utah without restriction as to
slavery, and prohibiting the slave trade in
the District of Columbia.
While the excitement was running high
and the discussions on Mr. Clay's proposition
were at the highest pitch. both in Congress
and among the people, the President was
stricken with a fever that terminated fatally
after an illness OF five DAYS.
So brief was his life in the White House
that, like Gen. Harrison, he made little i'm
preston on the social world and little change
in the appointments of the Executive Man.
sion, leaving the glory won in the field as his
legacy to his family and country.
II was during this Administration that the
Secession party in the South first manifested
itself outside South Carolina
Fewreceptions were given at the Executive
Mansion; but Betty Bliss" daughter of the
President, reigned as lady of the White House,
where she entertained her friends with affable
grace. Mrs Taylor received her friends in
private al artments, for which she was criti-
cized 10y the opposition.
The beautiful, cultured women who were
then dwelling in Washington with the bril-
bant men in Congress, added splendor to So
ciety, and the second Winter of President
Taylor's Administration augured year of
remarkable brilliancy; but the death Of the
President which occurred July 9, threw a
pail over the city, and the White House was
again IN mourning