The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-13


sther was Colonel in the Continental Ar
my. and fought by the side of Washing
ton Mr. Zachary Taylor was a Virgin
ian by birth, n Kentuckian by breeding
a soldier by profession. He entered the
Army in 1908, and was engaged IN nights
with the Indians and brought the Semin'
ole War to Il close. 1t was his success
in the Mexican War that brought him IA
yorably before the public, and the Wings
nominated him in 1913 for President, and
elected him over Lewis Cass. Willard
Fillmore, of New York, was elected Vice
President
The Inaugural ceremonies took place
March ), 1919, the 18th of March being on
Sunday. The day opened auspiciously,
the sun was shining, and early IN the
morning music was heard IN the principal
avenues leading to Wizards Hotel, where
the PreSident-elect was entertained.
Old and young, without distinction of
race or color, lined the sidewalks TO see
"Old Rough-and-Read the hero of the
Mexican War. on his triumphant march
TO the Capitol. Bells rang, cannOns roared,
and ''Old Glory" was everywhere waving.
Balconies and windows were filled with
spectators.
Gen. Taylor's special escort of marshals
had assembled at Wizards Hall. When
the procession was ready the President
appeared dressed in a suit of plain black.
His carriage was drawn by four hand
some grays. The Speaker, Mr.. Winthrop,
and the Mayor of Washington rode with
him At the Irving Hotel, corner Of
18th street and Pennsylvania avenue,
President Polk was given seat on the
right of Gen. Taylor.
There was a military escort of II COM
panies. and the Rough-and- Ready Clubs
of Washington. Georgetown and Alexan-
dria. The volunteers of Baltimore brought
with them four bands. "Baltimores De
Tenders" brought up the rear.
and pNl(NOypFnOrS. members
of the Legislatures of the different States
and Territories, and delegations of Indians
were striking features of the procession,
and many citizens were in line.
THE usual ceremonies followed their en-
trance into the Senate Chamber. The In
augural address was delivered from the
Eastern POrtico of the Capitol The oath
of office was administered by Chief-Jus-
tice fancy. Then followed the widest
cheering for "0ld Rough
The same procession escorted him back
to the White House, President Taylor sit
ting on the right of eXP President Polk.
When the President entered the Execu-
tive Mansion, a crowd of friends had as
sembied to give him welcome, which the
President received with becoming cOur-
tesy.
In the evening three Inaugural balls
were held, one at the Grand Saloon, a
temporary building erected for the occa-
sion on Judiciary Square; another at Car
usi's, military ball; the third at the large
and handsome new Assembly Rooms at
jackson Hail. (the Globe Building), the
home to-day of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
The President and Vice-President attend
ed all of the balls during the evening. We
find in the National Intelligeneer notice
of these three magnificent balls. The in
auguration occurred Monday, March 5. On
the following Thursday, by dint of perse-
verance, the TntelIigencer had wormed out
whole half column in description Of
''three of the most brilliant balls" ever
given in Washington.
Gen Taylor seemed to realize his want
of qualifications for civil office, and often
expressed regret to his friends that he ev-
or consented to run for President saying
Mr.. Clay ought TO have been in his place.
When Congress met in December Cal
houn, Webster and Clay, who had re-
turned to public life, were in the Senate.
In his first message the President plainly
showed that he apprehended danger to
the Union from continuance of section
Ill feeling on the slavery question.
Congress for six months had struggled
with the question of satisfactory bill
providing Territorial Governments for
California and New Mexico, and had adj
journed without taking action, on account
of their inability to agree whether the
Missouri Compromise line should extend
TO the Pacific Ocean.
Mr. Calhoun came forward with a new
doctrine in his debates in Congress, ''ex-
tending the Constitution to the Territor-
les and arguing as that instrument recog-
pized the existence of slavery the settlers
ia such Territory should be permitted to
Aold their slave property taken there and
ke sTstected."
Mr Webster stepped into the arena at
this SIncture with this statement: THE
Constitution was made for States, not
Territories; that it cannot operate any
where. not even in the States for which il
I'D with net nf m
enforce it; the proposed extension of the
Constitution to Territories, with a view
to the transportation of slavery along
with it, was futile and nugatory without
the act of Congress to yitalize slavery
under it"
BY the light of other days that has
been thrown upon the yexed questions
that come up, Congress alone seems to
be the motive power that dictates where
the Constitution shall reach.
President Taylor in his first message
expressed his sympathy with California,
and advised its citizens to form State
Government preparatory to admission in
TO the Union. The advice was taken, and
convention was held at Monterey in Sep
tember 1S49 A Constitution prohibiting
slavery was framed. submitted to the peo-
pie, and adopted. A Governor of the Ter
ritOry was elected, Peter II. BurTet.
Members of General Assembly were
chosen, and Dec. 20, 1S49, the new Gov
eminent was organized at san Jose. A
petition was sent to Congress asking for
the admission of California ms a State.
Then began acrimonious contention. Pres
ident Taylor also recommended that the
Territories of New Mexico and Utah be
left with Territorial Government. with
out mixing the slavery question with their
Territorial Governments; that they be left
TO grow toward Statehood and settle the
question Of slavery in their State Consti-
tuition.
The early part of the Administration
was delnged by acrimonious conditions
and at last Henry Clay again came for
ward with a compromise measure, provid
ing for the admission OF California, the
Territorial Government for Utah and
New Mexico. the settlement Of the Texas
boundary, slavery adjustment in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and Il fugitive slave
law. This is known as the Omnibus
Bill During the discussion of this bill
President Taylor died. after having filled
the Presidential chair 16 months Mil
lard Fillmore Immediately took the oatl
Of Office and entered upon the duties OF
President. A new Cabinet was formed
and Daniel Webster was made Secretary
OF State.
MIR. Clay said in defense of his bill
Coming from a slave State as i do.
owe it to myself, | owe il TO truth, ow,
it to the subject, TO say that no earthl,
power could induce me to vote for a spe
cifc measure for the introduction OF slay
cry where it had not before existed eithe
eOuth or north of that line I