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surrounded by an extemporized city of shanties and booths. All ordinary employments were laid aside. Ships
were deserted by their crews, who ran to the mines, sometimes, it is said, headed by their officers. Soon
streets were laid out, houses erected, and from this Babel, as if by magic, grew up a beautiful city. For a time,
lawlessness reigned supreme. But, driven by the necessity of events, the most respectable citizens took the
law into their own hands, organized vigilance committees, and administered a rude but prompt justice which
soon restored order.
POLITICAL PARTIES. Three parties now divided the suffrages of the people. The whigs nominated
General Taylor for President; the democrats, Lewis Cass; and the free-soilers, who were opposed to the
extension of slavery, Martin Van Buren. The personal popularity of General Taylor, on account of his many
sterling qualities and his brilliant victories in the Mexican war, made him the favorite candidate, and he was
elected.
[Illustration: GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR]
* * * * *
II. GENERAL KEARNEY'S ARMY. 100
A Brief History of the United States
TAYLOR AND FILLMORE'S ADMINISTRATION.
[Footnote: Zachary Taylor was born in Virginia in 1784 Soon after his birth his parents removed to
Kentucky. His means of education were extremely scanty, and until he was twenty-four years of age he
worked on his father's plantation. Madison, who was a relative and at that time Secretary of State, then
secured for him an appointment in the army as lieutenant. From this he rose by regular and rapid degrees to a
major-generalship. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista, won him great applause. He
was the hero of a successful war, and the soldiers admiringly called him Old Rough and Ready. Many whig
leaders violently opposed his nomination. Daniel Webster called him an ignorant frontier colonel. The fact
that he was a slaveholder was warmly urged against him. He knew nothing of civil affairs, and had taken so
little interest in politics that he had not voted in forty years. His nomination caused a secession from the
whigs, resulting in the formation of the free-soil party; yet he maintained his popularity as President, and was
one of the most esteemed who have filled that office. He died July 9, 1850, at the Presidential mansion, after
an illness of five days.]
(TWELFTH AND THIRTEENTH PRESIDENTS: 1849-1853)
General Taylor, like General Harrison, died soon after his elevation to the Presidency. Millard Fillmore,
Vice-President, succeeded him.
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. Slavery questions were the great political topic of this administration. When
California applied for admission to the Union as a free State, all these subjects were brought to a focus. A hot
debate ensued, and for awhile it seemed as if the Union would be rent asunder. At this terrible crisis Henry
Clay, the Great Pacificator, came forward, and, with his wonderful eloquence, urged the necessity of
mutual compromise and forbearance. Daniel Webster warmly seconded this effort at conciliation.
[Illustration: DANIEL WEBSTER, HENRY CLAY, JOHN C. CALHOUN
CLAY ADDRESSING CONGRESS.]
[Footnote: When Daniel Webster, the great American statesman and jurist, was fourteen years old, he first
enjoyed the privilege of a few months' schooling at an academy. The man whose eloquence was afterward to
stir the nation, was then so shy that he could not muster courage to speak before the school. He says, Many a
piece did I commit and rehearse in my own room, over and over again; yet when the day came, when my
name was called, and I saw all eyes turned toward me, I could not raise myself from my seat. In other
respects, however, he gave decided promise of his future eminence. One year after, his father resolved to send
him to college a dream he had never dared to cherish. I remember the very hill we were ascending through
deep snow, in a New England sleigh, when my father made known this purpose to me. I could not speak.
How could he, I thought, with so large a family, and in such narrow circumstances, think of incurring so great
an expense for me? A warm glow ran all over me, and I laid my head on my father's shoulder and
wept. Having finished his collegiate education and entered his profession, he at once rose to eminence.
Elected to Congress, in his maiden speech he took the House and country by surprise. By rapid strides he
placed himself at the head of American orators. His speeches are masterpieces, and may well be the study of
every aspirant for distinction. It was a disappointment to many of Webster's friends, as it was, perhaps, to
himself, that he was never called to the Presidential chair. But, like Clay, although he might have honored [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]