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CH. VII.]

INAUGURATION OF TAYLOR.

471

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CHAPTER VII.

1849-1853.

TAYLOR'S AND FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATION.

Inauguration of Zachary Taylor-Ceremonies connected with it-His Inaugural address-General Taylor's cabinet -State of politics-Dispute as to the boundary between Texas and New Mexico-Steps taken by the president - His health injured - The thirty-first Congress-Contest for the speakership-The president's message. Excitement growing out of the slavery question-Special message on California and New Mexico-Henry Clay's compromise resolutions-Excitement on the subject-Calhoun's speech-His death-Webster's speechSelect committee of thirteen-Henry Clay's report-The "omnibus bill" - Debates and troubles in the south west-General Taylor's illness and death -- Millard Fillmore president - His cabinet-Message on Texas and New Mexico difficulties-The compromise measures carried― Result of this legislation - The seventh census'Filibustering" expeditions against Cuba - The president's proclamation-Lopez's expeditions and their results Union meetings-Second session of the thirty-first Congress-Substance of Mr. Fillmore's first message. Discussions in Congress-Bills passed-The Hungarian question-Webster's letter to Chevalier HulsemannKossuth in the United States-State of affairs-The first Grinnell expedition-The Greytown affair-Henry Clay's death-The fishery question-The democratic and whig national conventions-Pierce and King nominated - Scott and Graham nominated-The Garay grant question — Congress adjourns-Daniel Webster's death – The presidential election — The tripartite convention-Extracts from Mr. Everett's letter-Congress in session- Abstract of the message-Action of Congress-Close of Mr. Fillmore's administration.

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the presence of some twenty thousand people, he delivered his Inaugural address, a brief, plain, sensible document, such as might have been expected from the man who had been more accustomed to the sword than the pen, and who had displayed qualities of mind and heart which commended him to the majority of his fellow-citizens as the one whom they preferred at that day to take the helm of state.

ON Monday, March 5th, 1849, Zach- | great portico of the capitol. There, in ary Taylor, the war-worn hero, appeared before his fellow-citizens congregated in Washington, for the purpose of giving solemn pledges of his devotion 1849. to the duties of the high office to which he had been called by the voice of his countrymen. As usual on As usual on these occasions, there was a vast concourse of people, and the civic display was both admirably arranged and thoroughly carried out. About midday, dressed in a plain suit of black, and with befitting gravity and dignity, Zachary Taylor joined the grand procession of Senators and distinguished members of the government, and took his place on the staging erected in front of the

The brevity of General Taylor's Inaugural will authorize our giving it in full, and we are sure that it will be perused with interest by our readers.

"Elected by the American people to the highest office known to our laws, I

appear here to take the oath prescribed by the Constitution, and, in compliance with a time-honored custom, to address those who are now assembled.

"The confidence and respect shown by my countrymen, in calling me to be the chief magistrate of a republic holding a high rank among the nations of the earth, have inspired me with feelings of the most profound gratitude; but, when I reflect that the acceptance of the office which their partiality has bestowed imposes the discharge of the most arduous duties, involves the most weighty obligations, I am conscious that the position which I have been called to fill, though sufficient to satisfy the loftiest ambition, is surrounded by fearful responsibilities.

1849.

"Happily, however, in the performance of my new duties I shall not be without able co-operation. The legislative and judicial branches of the government present prominent examples of distinguished civil attainments and matured experience, and it shall be my endeavor to call to my assistance, in the executive departments, individuals whose talents, integrity, and purity of character, will furnish ample guarantees for the faithful and honorable performance of the trusts to be committed to their charge. With such aids, and an honest purpose to do whatever is right, I hope to execute diligently, impartially, and for the best interests of the country, the manifold duties devolved upon me.

"In the discharge of these duties, my guide will be the Constitution which I this day swear to 'preserve, protect, and defend.' For the interpretation

of that instrument, I shall look to the decisions of the judicial tribunals established by its authority, and to the prac tice of the government under the earlier presidents, who had so large a share in its formation. To the example of those illustrious patriots I shall always defer with reverence, and especially to his example who was by so many titles 'the father of his country.'

"To command the army and navy of the United States-with the advice and consent of the Senate to make treaties and to appoint ambassadors and other officers-to give to Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend such measures as he shall judge to be necessary, and to take care that the laws shall be faithfully execu ted-these are the most important functions intrusted to the president by the Constitution; and it may be expected that I shall briefly indicate the principles which will control me in their execution.

"Chosen by the body of the people, under the assurance that my adminis tration would be devoted to the welfare of the whole country, and not to the support of any particular section or merely local interest, I this day renew the declaration I have heretofore made, and proclaim my fixed determination to maintain, to the extent of my ability, the government in its original purity, and to adopt as the basis of my public policy, those great republican doctrines which constitute the strength of our na tional existence.

"In reference to the army and navy, lately employed with so much distinc tion on active service, care shall be

CH. VII.]

GENERAL TAYLOR'S INAUGURAL.

taken to insure the highest condition of efficiency; and, in furtherance of that object, the military and naval schools sustained by the liberality of Congress, shall receive the special attention of the executive.

473

to the disposal of office, and the absence of either of these qualities shall be deemed sufficient cause for removal.

"It shall be my study to recommend such constitutional measures to Congress as may be necessary and proper to secure encouragement and protection to the great interests of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, to improve our rivers and harbors, to provide for the speedy extinguishment of the public debt, to enforce a strict accountability on the part of all officers of the government, and the utmost economy in all public expenditures. But it is for the wisdom of Congress itself, in which all legislative powers are vested by the Constitution, to regulate these and other mat-.

"As American freemen we can not but sympathize in all efforts to extend the blessings of civil and political liberty, but at the same time we are warned by the admonition of history, and the voice of our own beloved Washington, to abstain from entangling alliances with foreign nations. In all disputes between conflicting governments, it is our interest not less than our duty to remain strictly neutral, while our geographical position, the genius of our institutions and our people, the advancing spirit of civiliza-ters of domestic policy. I shall look tion, and, above all, the dictates of re- with confidence to the enlightened pat ligion, direct us to the cultivation of riotism of that body to adopt such peaceful and friendly relations with all measures of conciliation as may harmoother powers. It is to be hoped nize conflicting interests, and tend to that no international question perpetuate that Union, which should can now arise which a government, con- be the paramount object of our hopes fident in its own strength, and resolved and affections. In any action calculated to protect its own just rights, may not to promote an object so near the heart settle by wise negotiation; and it emi- of every one who truly loves his counnently becomes a government like our try, I will zealously unite with the coown, founded on the morality and in-ordinate branches of the government. telligence of its citizens, and upheld by their affections, to exhaust every resort of honorable diplomacy before appealing In the conduct of our foreign | relations, I shall conform to these views, as I believe them essential to the best interests and true honor of the country.

1849.

"The appointing power vested in the president imposes delicate and onerous duties. So far as it is possible to be informed, I shall make honesty, capacity, and fidelity, indispensable prerequisites

VOL. III.-60

"In conclusion, I congratulate you, my fellow-citizens, upon the high state of prosperity to which the goodness of Divine Providence has conducted our common country. Let us invoke a con tinuance of the same protecting care which has led us from small beginnings to the eminence we this day oc- 1849.

cupy; and let us seek to deserve
that continuance by prudence and mod-
eration in our councils; by well-directed
attempts to assuage the bitterness which

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