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 ON THE LIFE AND CHAMCTER OF 
 
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 DELIVERED AT THE REQUEST OF 
 THE CITIZENS OF RALEIGH, 
 
 (in TlIK PRESBYTERIAN CllUnCII,) 
 
 JULY 20tu, 1850. 
 
 Illil 
 
 (PUULISIIEI> AT TUE INSTANCE OF THE COMMITTEE OF 
 ARKANGEMENTS, AND OTHERS.) 
 
 RALi;iGH : 
 
 A. M. GORMAJV, FRIWTER — SPIRIT OF THE AGE OFFICE. 
 
 1850. 
 
RALEIGH, JULY 20th, 1850. 
 
 HENRY W. MLLER, Esq. : 
 
 Dear Sir : — The Committee of Arrangements for the 
 3Funeral Obsequies of the late President of the United States, desire 
 to return you their thanks, in behalf of the Citizens of Raleigh, whom 
 they represent, for the highly able and eloquent Eulogy upon the Ufe 
 and character of the illustrious deceased, this day delivered by you 
 in the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Reflecting the earnest wish of the Citizens, generally, they would 
 respectfully request a copy of your Address for publication. 
 
 Very respectfully, yours, 
 
 SEATON GALES, 
 .7. F. JORDAN, 
 P. BUSBEE, 
 G. W. HAYWOOD, 
 J. H. MANLY, 
 
 Committee 
 
 Z3 CQ ^3 
 

 My Fellow Citizexs : — Cold indeed must be tlie heart of him, who 
 casting bis thoughts back but a few days, can look unmoved upon the 
 scene, which is passing before us, and dead the mind that could fail to 
 learn from it the solemn and impressive lessons, it is so well calculated to 
 impart ! 
 
 Ten days ago, there came to us on the wings of the lightning, the 
 melancholy and unexpected intelligence, that the head of this mighty- 
 Nation, full of j-ears and of honors, had been cut down in the mi' 1st of 
 his usefulness and fame. I say it came to us on the vmgs of the light- 
 ning. How overwhelming to us aU, was the literal reality ! Though by 
 the ordinary means, that intelligence should have not reached us, until, per- 
 haps, the funeral ceremonies, with all their solemn sadness, were over, 
 and dust unto dust had returned, yet as it was, we felt that we were in 
 the presence of the corpse itself, — that we could reach forth, and touch 
 the temple of that once proud spirit, that we could feel its pulsations de- 
 part, and catch the last flickerings of that ' light of life' which had burnt 
 so brightly ! We felt here, at the distance of hundreds of miles from the 
 spot where that body lay in state, with the flush of life hardly faded from 
 its cheek, that we could see passing to and fro, the great and illustrious of 
 the land, eager to catch a last ghmpse at that face from which had flashed 
 the eagle eye, an d on which the shock of battle had so often fallen, with 
 no other cfleet, than to spring into life all the enei'gies of the soul that 
 reigned within. We felt that we were in the presence of the dead ! — 
 We saw the sable ganuents of the widow and the orphan. — We wit- 
 nessed the tear as it coursed down the manly cheek of those, who stood 
 in wrapt awe and sorrow around that bier. We joined the immense 
 throng of mourners, who went vfith sad hearts to the solemn resting place^ 
 and we heard the booming of those minute guns which seemed like 
 music to the flitting spirit, to remind it once more and for the last time, as 
 it departed from earth, of the distant fields of its glory ! 
 
 Since that day, the grief, with which the heart of the nation throbbed 
 with so much intensity, has been thrown out to every extreme, and back a- 
 gain has each pulsation been returned, to remind us, that in those extremes, 
 every ennobling sensibility is alive to the Nation's loss. The mysterioug 
 
Toice of the Teleirapli — lilcp tliat of the spirit departed — ■wlusperinc; 
 its own flight — the Press with its thousand tongues, speaking from a- 
 midst its garbs of mourning, — the Pulpit, with its sacred and admonitory 
 voice, — tlic mutflod drum, the Church IjcII with its solemn toll, the deep 
 toned cannon, sending forth its loud lamentations upon the land and 
 over the sea, hare all borne testimony to the scenes Avhich have been 
 passing in our country, and give assurance that we are not here in vain, 
 to add our humble but sincere tiibute of respect, to the memory of the 
 departed patriot and hero ! 
 
 Let us endeavor to make good this hour of meeting, and store away 
 some gems of memory, which we may cast, ere we depart hence, into the 
 casket of a Nation's grief! 
 
 What then, has brought us togetlicr on this occasion ? Why this as- 
 semblage of the aged and the young, the matron and the fair damsel, the 
 rich and the poor, the high and the humble V Does the herald proclaim 
 some success in arais upon the ensanguined battle-field, which demands 
 for him who acliieved it the splendor of a triiunph ? Has there been 
 read to us the account of some trophy of genius wliich bespeaks our ad- 
 miration and calls for the loud peans for our praise ? Have we met, in 
 imitation of the ancient world, to proclaim an apotheosis to a departed he- 
 ro, whose laui'els were stained with the blood of thousands, shed to grat- 
 ify' the unholy promptings of personal ambition ? Have we come to- 
 gether to hear recited the drama of that heartless pomp and empty show, 
 which surroimd and adorn the tlirones of princes and emperors ? No — 
 thank Heaven ! Our purpose, though sad, is higher — purer, hoUer. — 
 Tlie noblest emotions of the heart have brought us together. We are 
 liere to add our A'oice of mourning to that which has gone up from every 
 section of the Union, for tlie loss of one, who, whilst living, gave to his 
 Country tlie service of an honest, a devoted and patriotic licart, and dying, 
 hath bequeathed to it, a character " without spot or blemish," and a 
 fame, upon which the world will dwell, through succeeding ages, with 
 a<hiiiration and delight ! 
 
 The gi-eat historian of the Decline and Fall of the Koman Empu'e, in 
 referring to the reign of one Of the Antonines, declared " it was marked 
 by the rare advantage of furnishing few materials for history, which 
 Is indeed, little more than the register of the crimes, the folHes and the 
 misfortunes of mankind." 
 
 However true this dark picture may have been, when applied to the 
 history of even the wisest and best of those who have been immortalized 
 by the pen of Gibbon's genius, yet we can point with <'onfidence and 
 pride to the life of a Republican hero and President, as adding a brigh- 
 ter and purer jiagc to history. 
 
A rapid revievv of such a life must be at all times iiitcrestiiip, and it 
 certainly cannot be otlierwise Iban appropriate to tliis occasion. 
 
 Zachary Taylok, tbe t-welftli President of the United States, "was 
 born in tbe County of Orange, Virginia, in the year 1 784. When be was 
 scarcely a year old, bis fiitber, Eidiard Taylor, avIio was distinguished for 
 bis bravery and patriotism during tbe Eevolntionary struggle, removed 
 Avitb bis family to tbe State of Kentucky. Tbat part of our country bad 
 already acquired tbe appellation of tbe ' dark and bloody ground,' from 
 tbe many desperate conflicts wbicb the brave and bardy pioneers bad 
 carried on -with tbe Indians, to whose cruelty all were exposed, who 
 were led by necessity or adventure, into those interminable forests. — 
 The means of education in our frontier country being necessarily limit- 
 ed, tbe mind of tbe young student was directed to the practical and use- 
 ful, rather than the ornamental brancb.es of study. Even with such ad. 
 vantages of mental cidtnre, what a brilliant list of statesmen and orators 
 has tbe far West, but yesterday a wilderness, been able to send back to 
 the halls of our National Legislature ! 
 
 Although no Incident of the youth of Zachaky Taylor Is recorded, 
 illustrating precoclousness of intellect, or gl"ving any glittering promise of 
 the high distinction to which in after life he attained, yet, he early devel- 
 oped those qualities of mind and heart, which are the best guaranties of 
 success and usefulness. An ardent temperament, a manly Independence, 
 untiring energy, and firmness of purpose, coupled with a modest demeanor, 
 characterized tbe youth, and constituted a broad and strong foundation, 
 upon which was built that monument of fame, which pi-omlses to endure, 
 so long as great deeds, generous Impulses, and noble daring are athnlred 
 and celebrated amongst men ! 
 
 Inheriting the military ardour which the stirring scenes of the Revo- 
 lution bad cultivated In the breast of bis father, he early exhibited an in- 
 clination for the arduous profession of a soldier. The capture of tbe 
 Chesapeake served as ample notice, that all who valued the rich birth- 
 right of our freedom, should prepare to avenge the Nation's wrongs. — 
 Animated by tbat lofty patriotism which the adventurous life of the for- 
 est had enlivened and Invigorated, and wliich sent forth so many stout 
 hearts to meet the veteran spirits of England, Zachary Taylor ob- 
 tained a commlssslon from President Jefferson, and entered the army In 
 1 808, as a Lieutenant. The first four years of lils service afforded but 
 little opportunity to test his youthful skill or valor. In the early part of 
 1812, for bis services 'on the frontier imdcr General Harrison he was 
 promoted to a Captaincy. During the latter part of the same year he 
 was summoned to face difficulties and dangers, well calculated to appal 
 tbe stoutest heart. On the Kith of June preceding, War bad been de- 
 
dared against Clroat Kritain, and no ?oonor had fuch doclarallon gone 
 forth, tlian the savages on onr borders, responding to the brutal call 
 which had been made upon ihera by the still more savage agents of onr 
 enemy, poured from their native forests -with appetites whetted for cru- 
 elty, and armed with those implements of blood, which Had become the 
 terror of tbe white man. Taylor was then posted at Fort Harrison, on 
 the AVabash, a spot then surrounded by a wilderness, now tlie site of in- 
 dustry and civilization. His force amounted to about fifty men, many 
 of Avhom were worn down by fatigue or disabled by sickness. On the 
 night of the 4th of September this Fort, thus defended by a handful of 
 men, was surrounded by fifteen hundred wan-iors. That gallant band 
 had no alternative left. They knew that to surrender, would be certain 
 <leath, — death with the most cruel tortures, — death in its most hideous 
 forms. To conquer or die, was the firm and unalterable resolve of 
 every heart, from the leader to the humblest soldier. And most no- 
 bly tlid they sustain that resolve ! They felt that the little stockade to 
 which their own firm hearts were the walls of defence, constituted 
 the only barrier which protected the white settlements in their rear. 
 To break through that barrier, was all that the Indians wanted, to 
 open the way to plunder and indiscriminate slaughter. Terrible in- 
 deed was that conflict, rendered thrice more terrific by the darkness 
 of the night, the war cry of the savage, and the shiieks of the af- 
 frighted women and children, who had sought protection, under the flag 
 which waved from the top of those rude battlements. Kot a heart in 
 that band quailed. Long and doubtful was the struggle ! At last the 
 fury of the savage jielded to the cool and intrepid courage of the white 
 man, and their flight was succeeded by the shouts and congratulations of 
 the victors. 
 
 With what ostentation and pride the liistorian records the daring of 
 Napoleon at Lodi and Areola, the dashing bravery of Murat on the 
 plains of Austerlitz and E}lau, the cool and indomitable courage of Wel- 
 lington amidst the carnage and thunder of the battle field at Talavera 
 and "Waterloo, but can there be seen in all these, gorgeous and imposing 
 as are the circmnstances which surrounded them, any higher impulse, any 
 more ennobling emotion, than directed the arm, and governed the heart 
 of that youthful soldier, as he stood, unterrified in the conflict, upon those 
 rude and tottering ramparts of the forest ? No. They were all sparks, 
 stricken from the immortal mind — they were all waves passing across the 
 mighty soul of Being ! 
 
 The manner in which Fort Harrison was defended, elicited from Gen. 
 Hopkins the highest complunent. In his despatch of the '27th Novem- 
 ber to Gov. Shdhj, of Kentucky, ho remarked, " the firm aiid almost un- 
 
paralleled dcfenoc of Fort Ilamson, by Capt. Taylok, lias raised for 
 liim a fabric of character, not to be increased by eulogy." For this ex- 
 ploit, President Madison made him Major by Brevet, which was the first 
 brevet rank conferred by that high functionary in the war of 1812. He 
 continued to serve in that quarter with promptness and fidelity under 
 the command of Gen. Hopkins until the close of the War. When that 
 ended, no opportunity was presented for active operations until the break- 
 ing out of the Indian war, under the control and dii-ection of the famous 
 Chief, Black Hawk, supported by the cunning and incantations of the 
 Prophet. 
 
 On the 2nd of August, 1832, the battle of the Bad Axe was fought, 
 which broke the power of those chiefs. For his conduct in this war, 
 Taylor received the rank of Colonel in the first Regiment of Infantry. 
 
 In 1836 he was ordered by President Jackson to take command of the 
 army in Florida operating against the Seminole Indians. On the 25th 
 of December, 1837, he succeeded in bringing the fierce warriors of that 
 tribe to a general engagement on Lake Okee-Chobee, and after a long 
 and sanguinary conflict, drove them from their fastnesses, in which they 
 had fought with desperate bravery. 
 
 This victory brought that long, expensive and bloody war virtually to 
 a close, and restored, in a great degree, confidence and security to the in- 
 habitants of Florida. For his services in that engagement. Col. Tay- 
 lor received the thanks of the public, and the highest commendations of 
 liis superiors. It was declared by a person of higli military distinction, to 
 be "one of the best fought actions known to our history." As a further 
 compliment to his merits and reward for his services, he was promoted to 
 the rank of Brevet Brigadier General. 
 
 The Seminole war being ended, there was no call for the active 
 service of Gen. Taylor until the year 1845, during which interval of time, 
 our country had passed through a number of heated political struggles, and 
 amidst them all, exhibited to the admiration uf the world, a progress to 
 wealth and greatness, unparalleled in history. 
 
 The great battle of San Jacinto had been fought and won, which decided 
 the fate of Texan Independence, and the political contest, in reference to 
 the admission of that infant Republic, as a member of this Union, hav- 
 ing resulted successfully, she stood amongst the throng of sisters an 
 equal and a rival. Threats, of invasion from Mexico, rendered it neces- 
 sary that the Federal Government should throw around her southern 
 frontier, the protection of its military arm. Under the orders of his Gov- 
 ernment, which he was ever prompt to obey, the 28th of March 1846, 
 found Gen. Taylor encamped, with an army of about two thousand six 
 hundred men, 01! the eastern bank of the Rio Grande, Hardly a month 
 
8 
 
 had passed, belore inronnalioii readied liira tliiii upuii his refusal to break 
 up his camp and rolirc beyond the Nuoces, the Mexicans under Ampu- 
 DiA and AuisTA, would attack him in great force. It became necessary to 
 secure his military depot at Point Isabel from a threatened attack, and on 
 the first of May he marched to its proteciiun. The small but brave band 
 ■which he left at Fort Brown, was soon ia the most imminent pRril. As- 
 sailed from the opposite bank of the River, with an incessant and galling 
 fire, they found that an immense force of the enemy had been thrown in 
 between them and the main body of our army. Information of their per- 
 ilous situation and the position of the enemy, having reached Gen. Tay- 
 lor, he left Point Isabel on the morning of the 7th of May, to give them 
 battle and relieve his gallant comrades. And here let us pause for a mo- 
 ment, and contemplate the moral sublimity of the spectacle then exhibi- 
 ted ! We all remember, as if it were but yesterday, the deep gloom and 
 breathless anxiety, which the news of this condition of our glorious little 
 army, spread thoroughout the whole country. It seemed as if the general 
 pulse of the nation stood still .' With many, no ray of hope was to be 
 seen. Terror and alarm were depicted on the countenances of most. — 
 Some who knew well the qualities of the soul in which the hopes 
 of that gallant army were concentered, saw a bright bow of de- 
 liverance spanning the arch of the heavens. In the last words 
 which he despatched to his Government, at the moment of that 
 eventful march, they saw the spirit of a hero, of whom Greece and 
 Rome in their palmiest days might well have been proud ! " Tell mij 
 Government, I shall ,/ight the enamy in ivhaisover force then oppose viy 
 march.'" Fort Brown shall be rescued or I die in the attempt.' Look 
 through the proudest eras of the past — call to mind the deeds of those who 
 have inscribed their names high in the temple of fame, — dwell with all 
 the wrapt admiration of the enthusiast, upon the loftiest expressions of 
 statesmen and heroes, in the moment of distress or peril, and where — 
 where can you find aught which surpasses this in moral sublimity, — in 
 greatness of soul, — in all that gives assurance of" that Divinity that stirs 
 within us ?" 
 
 Nor was it the language of vanity or empty bravado ! It was the pro- 
 mise of one who had never deceived or deserted a friend, made to comrades 
 in difficulties and dangers. It was the word of a patriot given to twenty 
 odd millions of People, that the glory of their arms, whilst in his keeping, 
 should never be tarnished. It was a pledge made to the wliole civilized 
 world, to posterity through all coming generations, — that one more bright 
 and immortal page should be added to the history of man .' And moat 
 faithfully did ho keep that promise, — most nobly did ho redeem that 
 pledge .' He kept thai promise on the plains of Palo xVlto, and Rcsaca. — 
 
On those bloody fields ut' iiioilal strife, — in the terror and carnage uf bat- 
 lie, he redeemed that pledge ! 
 
 The sun of the 9lh of May went down upon his standard twice victo- 
 rious, and the siiout of joy which came up from the banks of the Rio 
 Grande, was but the faint beginning of that mighty note of exultation and 
 rejoicing which issued from every hill top, and re-echoed through every 
 valley of the Republic ! 
 
 It is needless to dwell upon the stirring events which immediately fol- 
 lowed these victories. Tliey are fresh in the recollection of all. They 
 spoke a language which none could misunderstand. War in all its reali- 
 ty was upon us, demanding the nation's energies, and calling to the dis- 
 tant scene of strife the stout hearts of our People. They responded with 
 an alacrity of which we may well be proud ! 
 
 So soon as Gen. Taylor was furnished the necessary supplies and re- 
 inforcements, he advanced into the enemy's country, and the morning of 
 the 19th of September, found him encamped before the city of INIonterey, 
 with a force of about six thousand men, composed partly of volunteers. — 
 The place was known to be one of the most strongly fortified by nature on 
 the Continent. Surrounded on three sides by lofty mountains, an open 
 valley spread out on the other. At no point could it have been approached 
 without encountering dreadful odds. From every side a fortress looked 
 out. Redoubts and massive walls environed the city, whilst within, ev- 
 ery street was barricadoed, and every residence was made a citadel. Ten 
 thousand regular soldiers garrisoned the place, aided by upwards of three 
 thousand volunteers. 
 
 On the morning of the 2i)th the seige was opened, and for three days 
 was it maintained with the most appalling slaughter, to beseiged and be- 
 seigers. 
 
 On the 24th the enemy capitulated and the City was surrendered to 
 our arms. By some, the policy of this capitulation was questioned. But 
 
 when the facts were made known, when the condition of our army, 
 
 scantily supplied with provisions, — without heavy ordinance, — far into 
 the heartofa hostile country, — with diflicult means of procurinnr re-in- 
 Ibrcements — was considered, the conviction became almost unanimous, that 
 the decision of the commander was characterized by the highest wisdom and 
 the most consummate skill and prudence- There was moreover another rea- 
 son which had its full weight upon the mind of the hero, illustrating most 
 strikingly, that the truly brave are ever generous and humane. In a des- 
 patch to the War Department, giving the reasons for the capitulation, he 
 said : " The consideration of humanity was present in my mind." 
 This declaration is the highest eulogy upon his character .' It will remain 
 a monument to his fame, in the estimation of the good of every age and 
 2 
 
10 
 
 country, even should the glory of his victories be torgotten. It is a sen- 
 timent upon which angels might dwell with delight. In the heat of the 
 carnage and roar of battle— in the midst of the groans of the dying sol- 
 diers which rent the air, and called for vengeance — in the fall flush of vic- 
 tory elated by past successes, — he could pause in his career to remem- 
 ber the helpless women and children, who were innocent of the blood thai 
 was flowing! Noble, — noble sentiinenl — exalted virtue! This alone is 
 suflicient to immortalize thy name, this alone will give at least one un- 
 tying page to the history of thy country's arms ! In future ages, when 
 the cold forgetfulnessof men shall have ceased to appreciate thy brilliant 
 deeds — the rmtron and the maiden, — tottering age and helpless infancy, 
 will gather around thy tomb, and consecrate to thy memory the tears of 
 gratitude aixl love .' 
 
 -" What thou did'st — thou did'st in honor, 
 
 Led by the impartial conduct of thy soul." 
 
 About the middle of November, succeeding the capture of Monterey, 
 an expedition against Vera Cruz was resolved upon by the Government, 
 that a new line of operations against the enemy might be opened. The 
 command of this expedition was assigned to that distinguished military 
 captain, Winfield Scott. Information was soon sent to Gen. Taylor, 
 that he would be expected to give up " most of the gallant officers and 
 men, whom he had so long, and so nobly commanded." Without hesita- 
 tion he obeyed the call, parting under circumstances the most trying, but 
 without a murmur, from the flower of his army. This rendered h'is posi- 
 tion a perilous one, and made it next to impossible for him to maintain the 
 extreme of his position and keep open his line of operations on the Rio 
 Grande, if attacked by a large force. The wily leader of the Mexicans, 
 ever active, was not unobservant of the movement and condition of our 
 army, and summoning all his energies and resources, he resolved upon the 
 destruction of Taylor's command. With this object in view, flushed 
 with anticipations of complete success, he broke up his camp at San Louis 
 Potosi, and marched upon Saltillo with an army of upwards of twenty 
 thousand men. Information of these movements having reached Gen. 
 Taylor, he took his position at Buena Vista, resolved to give them bat- 
 tle. 
 
 This was the condition of things when the news of the advance of 
 Santa Anna reached the United States. It sped with electric rapidity 
 throughout the nation. Every heart throbbed with apprehension. " Fight 
 on brave men, and falter not, through dark fortune and througli bright," 
 seemed to gush forth irresistibly from every tongue. You remember well 
 the brealhlsss anxiety that prevailed- Long hawever before that anxiety 
 
11 
 
 and suspense had even begun with us, the fate of that great battle field 
 had been decided. On the morning of the 22nd of February, the ap- 
 proach of the embattled hosts of Santa Anna was announced- On that 
 day, consecrated, throughout t^ie Republic, to the memory of the immor- 
 tal Washington, began that dreadful and unequal conflict. The remem- 
 brance of the virtues of that great man must have added new vigor to 
 every arm, and infused fresh courage into every bosom in that little army. 
 They felt that the eyes of their Countrymen were looking down upon 
 them — that the same great spirit which led those Countrymen to inde- 
 pendence and freedom, was cheering them on .' 
 
 One to five they stood upon that field ! The sun went down, and 
 ■darkness followed, but the fate of thatdread conflict, was net yet determin- 
 ed. Morning came, to witness a renewal of the scenes, with j'et more 
 desperate resolution, which the preceding night had closed. The impetu- 
 ous charge — the successful repulse — the clash of the glittering sabres — 
 the sharp volley of the musketry — the deep roar of the artillery sweeping 
 before it the serried ranks of the enemy, like drifted snow before the wind 
 — made up the realities of that day ! Once more did night come to give 
 rest to the combatants, and when morning broke again. Gen. Tavlor and 
 his intrepid army were victors upon that field ! 
 
 But they were not all there! The shock had thinned their ranks, — 
 had prostrated many a noble heart, and closed in death many a bright eye. 
 Hardin, McKef., Clav, Yell, Porter, Lincoln — where were theyf 
 In vain you looked through those victorious ranks for their manly formsj 
 They had indeed sunk to rest upon the field of their glory. Their blood 
 had enriched the spot which would be pointed to through all future time, 
 as one of the most enduring monuments of their Country's military prow- 
 ess, and their spirits had gone before to that eternal resting place, where 
 now alas! too soon, for those who remain, their beloved Commander has 
 been called to join them again, forever I 
 
 History cannot furnish the record of a battle, in which were displayed 
 more skill, higher courage, and brighter examples of firmness and daring, 
 than that which was fought on the field of Buena Vista. 
 
 When it is admitted that all did their duty nobly, it can hardly be re- 
 garded as invidious, or inappropriate, to express our gratification and pride, 
 that our own State had in the brilliant exploits of those two eventful days, 
 gallant representatives— sons worthy of her honor. Long may they live, 
 to wear the laurels they have so proudly won, and, in imitation of their 
 illustrious leader, to add new lustre to our national renown, and like him, 
 bequeath to their Country, 
 
 " More than rubies 
 
 In the riches of their fame !" 
 
12 
 
 iJul tlio main spring— tlic life— tlie very soul of ihal grtal bailie was 
 he, whose memory we are honoring, and wliose loss we lament. lie it 
 was, who moved as if by the wand ofaniagiuian, every heart in that devoted 
 band to deeds of uncommon daring. He was to them as the sun to the 
 planets. He gave them their motion — infused into them the light of 
 liojie— inspired them with a never-failing courage. The unbounded con- 
 fidence which his soldiers had in him, enabled him to knit together their 
 resolution and energies, and carry them forward as one man. He stood 
 amidst the storm of battle, whilst its destructive elements raged around 
 him, as firm and immovable, as the granite hills that looked down upon 
 the terrific scene ! 
 
 With that great victory ended his military exploits. There awaited 
 him on his return to his country, the highest testimonials of a Nation's 
 honor and gratitude. Age, youth, beauty, all conditions in life, from the 
 highest to the humblest, delighted to do him honor. The sequel is 
 known to us all. The strong hold which he had upon the affections of 
 his countrymen, elevated him to the most important office in their gift. — 
 With an honest heart and patriotic purpose, he assumed the duties of 
 thai station, exalted enough to gratify the most towering ambition. Ever 
 feeling a lively gratitude for the honors paid him, — deeply impressed 
 with the responsibilities of his high position, he faced the embarrassments 
 and difficulties that surrounded him, as calmly and composedly as he did 
 the terrors of battle. He had no ambition but to serve his country, and 
 recognized no passport to honor, but a strict and fearless performance of 
 duty. 
 
 In his ardent devotion to the Constilulion and Union, there was noth- 
 ing selfish, nothing sectional. He looked far beyond personal advantages 
 and local prejudices, and regarding them as high trusts, confided to our 
 keeping, for the benefit of posterity, and as an example to tlie world, he 
 felt and acknowledged the obligations, we are all under, to protect 
 AND DEFEND TO THE LAST, those great blessiugs, purchased with so much 
 treasure and blood. In defence of that Constitution, and that Union, he 
 would have faced danger with alacrity and met death without a murmur.' 
 
 In the midst of his usefulness, clothed with the highest honors of a 
 grateful nation, — with a fame bounded only by the limits of his Country's 
 renown,— the attached of Iiis friends,— the hope of the patriot,— the pride 
 of the soldier — disease came, — death followed quickly on its heels, and 
 all that was mortal of him, who stood upon the loftiest summit of human 
 greatness, now sleeps in the silent tomb ! 
 
 Yes, unto its kindred dust, has been returned all that was mortal, but 
 the bright example of his virtues will linger here through all time ! The 
 soil of Louisiana may claim as a sacred (W^posit, the ashes of the illustri- 
 
13 
 
 ons (loadj but ihe nation, llie ii:hoJe nation, — the world, tlie whole woriii, 
 will have his fume, and so long as llie miglity Mississippi rolls by his si- 
 lent resting place its majestic current, so long will his name stand, a 
 beacon light to his country ! 
 
 "Manly and most devoted wais the love. 
 With which for her unweariedly he strove — 
 No selfish lust of power, — not e'en of fame. 
 Gave ardour to that pure and generous flame !" 
 
 There were combined in his character, to a remarkable degree and in 
 beautiful symmetry, all those virtues which command our admiration, 
 whilst they call forth our love. He was a great, — a re/-?/ great General, — 
 a pure and incorruptible patriot, a just, honest, benevolent, good man. — 
 He was great, not because all around him were small, for he was the ar- 
 chitect of his own fortunes and fame, and in all the essentials of true great- 
 ness he would have been, what he was, in any age and in ani/ Country. 
 
 It has been beautifully and truly said " that no lasting renown — a re- 
 nown that alone deserves the aspirations of a rational, immortal being, can 
 ever be built upon any foundations, save those ivJnc/i are laid in an honest 
 heart and a firm purpose^ both conspirinfj to work out the good of rnanUndP 
 Such renown will be as imperishable as it is pure. Such, we can, with 
 confidence and pride declare, will be the renown of Zachary Taylor ! 
 
 During that solemn but sublime scene which was exhibited a few daj's 
 since, in the great Council Chamber of the Nation, when the accursed in- 
 fluences and prejudices of Party were expelled, at least for a moment, to 
 give place to the purer and holier emotions, his distinguished and patriotic 
 rival, in the last contest for the Presidency,* said of him : " The integri- 
 t]i of his motives loas neither assailed nor assailahle. He jmssed through 
 life, and a long and active one, neither meriting nor meeting reproach .'" 
 A sentiment betokening in him who uttered it, a moral beauty of charac- 
 ter, resembling that, whose virtues he so eloquently delineated, and whose 
 loss he so feelingly deplored .' 
 
 And how characteristic were the dying words of the hero .' " / am 
 ready for the summons. Ihave tried to do my duty to my country !" The 
 resignation of the christian, the anxiety of the patriot ! Yes, illustrious 
 man! That thou didst thy duty faithfully and fearlessly whilst here, 
 there went before thee to the land of spirits, a score of witnesses. Thy 
 brave companions who fell at Palo Alto— at Resaca— at Monterey — at 
 Buena Vista — will be thy witnesses. But they have not all ]eft us.— 
 
 *HoN. Lrwis Cass. 
 
14 
 
 There linger still upon tliis scene of action a cloud of witnesses. The 
 whole country is full of proof/ Every heart tliat throbs is a witness ! 
 
 " But cliif'fly to thesolJier's breast 
 
 A thought of thee will kindling come," 
 
 And many a gallant heart that stood by thy side in the storm of battle, 
 and saw thy bright eye flash with confidence andcourage, will guard thy 
 fame, and bear testimony that all the ends thou aira'dst at, were thy 
 Country's! 
 
 My fellow-citizens : His career is ended — his task has been accom- 
 plished — his fame is secure ! He has taken his allotted place by the side 
 of Wm '■ inglon, of Jackson, of Harrison and other great names, that have 
 gone b')re him. 0?/rtask is hardly begun — owr duty is not half completed. 
 We have a country to serve. We have the invaluable privileges which 
 those distinguished patriots left us, to preserve, to strengthen, to 
 
 PERPETUATE. 
 
 And what does this sad, this awful bereavement teach us? What 
 solemn admonition does it give ? That we are in the presence of 
 Jehovah ! That He, and He alone, is the ruler of this great People — 
 that He, and He alone, holds, as in the hollow of his hand, the destinies 
 of this Union — that as He has snatched away in the twinkling of an 
 eye, the head of this proud nation, so too is He able to dash that nation it- 
 self with all its boasted power to pieces, and scatter its glories to the 
 winds ! 
 
 And shall we neglect, as a nation, to heed this warning ? Shall we suf- 
 fer the mad schemes of passion and of party, to drive us onward to ruin 
 and disgrace? Will not the fiery spirit of Fanaticism — from whatsoev- 
 er quarter it may come — stay its sacrilegious hand in the presence of this 
 demonstration of the King of Kings ? Whilst He is writing his sentence 
 across the Heavens, and proclaiming to the nations of the earth, that the 
 mighty as well as the humble are His — His to make and His to destroy 
 ■ — will the Demons of Discord and Disunion lift their hideous and accursed 
 fronts, in the very heart of this political Eden which has been planted for 
 man? If they do, then let them, like their kindred spirits of old, who 
 preferred to rule in Hell, than serve in Heaven, be • hurled headlong'— 
 
 " Down 
 
 To bottomless perdition, there to dwell 
 In adamantine chains and penal fires!" 
 
 A black cloud filled with dangers, has been hanging over our Union — 
 We could not, if we desired — we dare not — shut our eyes to the thick 
 darkness which has been gathering around, or close our ears to the porten- 
 tous mutterings of the threatened storm. What is to be the issue of it. 
 
15 
 
 no human foresight can (ell ! Whether it is to burst with all its fury, or 
 pass away to be succeeded by a serene and bright sky, is in the hands of 
 Him, whose goodness we have despised, and whose awful vengeance we 
 have invited ! 
 
 Let us not be deceived. The friends of our free institutions — of our 
 great and glorious Constitution and Union, may sleep on, under the fan- 
 cied security of their resting upon foundations too deep and strong to be 
 broken up and destroyed, but the enemies of those noble monuments of 
 genius, and human freedom, are ever vigilant, ever active. It is thne 
 their friends should ivake up from such an ignoble, cou'ctrdly slumber. At 
 this crisis, it behooves every man to face the impending dangers, with a 
 calm, firm, patriotic and unconquerable heart ! 
 
 Let that Constitution, the glorious emblem of freedom to us, — the 
 bright bow of hope to the oppressed of our race, be once destroyed, — let that 
 Union — the ark of our safety amidst the storms of foreign revolutions and 
 domestic discord, — be once rent asunder, and its fragments scattered upon 
 the bosom of the deep and agitated ocean of human passions, and whither, 
 — whither can we turn for succor, — whose arm can save — whose eye will 
 be able to fathom the depth or pierce the blackness of that gulf towards 
 which all we hold dear will be madly drifted? If we suffer such an aw- 
 ful catastrophe, without a struggle, — a bold, unconquerable, selfsacrifi- 
 zing struggle — to avert it, — if we permit the impious hands of fanatics 
 and traitors to tear down the noble edifice of our freedom. — the blood of 
 every battle-field of the Revolution will be upon our souls, — for through 
 our cowardice and pusilanimity, it will have been shed in vain, — and the 
 curses of millions will follow us / And are we free from danger ? 
 
 When before did the Halls of our National Legislature exhibit such a 
 spectacle? When before were the ordinary and pressing duties and pur- 
 poses of legislation, driven for seven long months of deep anxiety and 
 alarm to the people, from those Halls, to give place to all the angry ebulli- 
 tions of partizan rancor and sectional animosity ? When before were those 
 Halls, dedicated by our fathers to civil freedom and national honor, conver- 
 ted into the heated furnaces of passion and fanaticism, emitting daily, and 
 scattering through the land, the fire brands of discord and civil strife ? 
 
 What lessons could the history of the past teach us.' But alas ! Par- 
 ty — PARTV, — with the poisonous rancour of its fell spirit, blinds our eyes, 
 and '•' the light that experience gives is but a lantern on the stern, shining 
 on the waves behind !" 
 
 The fate of those Republics which arc gone, whicli reached the loftiest 
 height of national grandeur, but to be blinded by vanity and arrogance, 
 aud sink to weakness and degradation, is before us. They admonish u; 
 
1(3 
 
 tlirougli the melancholy record of their downfall — through the sad and 
 heart rending entreaties of those, of all ages and conditions, who fell the 
 victims of civil commotion, to bcAvare — to shrink back, ere It be too late , 
 irom the direful consequences of the madness of Party ! 
 
 Yes, the suffering and oppressed of every country under the sun, ap- 
 peal to us — the S2)irits around the gra\'es of dismembered and down-trod- 
 den Poland, appeal us— the brave and expatriated patriots of Ireland and 
 Hungary, appeal to us— the spirits of the mighty dead of our om-ii land, 
 appeal to us — the soul of the illustrious hero and patriot, Avhom we now 
 lionor, lingering around tlie sacred temple of our freedom, appeals to us 
 — unborn mllhons, seen through the long vista of the future, appeal to 
 us — the angelic voices of the mothers and fair daughters of our land, com- 
 ing to us with all their lovely pathos, implore us — to save this Re- 
 
 rUBLIC — TO PKESVERVE AXD PERPETUATE THE GLORIOUS UkIOX OF 
 
 THESE States — to shield our land fro^i the horrors of fra- 
 ternal STRIFE AXU bloodshed ! 
 
 If we disregard these admonitions, if we turn a deaf ear to these ap- 
 peals — if we forget the high and holy obhgatlons that are resting upon us, 
 and rush madly on to National dissolution and ruin, we shall ex- 
 hibit the hearls and deserve the doom of recreants and traitors ! 
 
 INIay the God of our Others throw his protecting arm around our Coun- 
 try save us from our own folly and madness, and enable us to draw 
 
 from the sad scenes that have been passing around us, and from the ex- 
 ample of him we mourn, renewed aspirations to Individual patriotism and 
 National virtue ! Then Indeed shall Ave be able to exclaim, wth truth, 
 whilst contemplating the character of Zachary Taylor, " Twice for- 
 tunate man ! Fortunate, not only in the celebrity of his life, but in the 
 glorious opportunity of death !" 
 
 ♦ > 
 
 146 
 

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