12th President: Zachary Taylor (1849-1850) Political Party: Whig The argument over slavery was heating up with every presidential election, and the United States was growing at a rapid pace from the acquisition of new lands from Mexico. The American consciousness over slavery was reaching the boiling point. Whether or not to admit new states into the union as free or slave had reached a fever pitch, and it had become clear that the issue must soon be resolved one way or the other. Zachary Taylor was born in Virginia in 1784, but during his infancy his family relocated to Kentucky in search of new and cheap land and was raised on a plantation. He became a career army officer, but still acquired plantations of his own in Louisiana and Mississippi. Despite his southern roots, his long-term career as a U.S. Army officer solidified his stance as a loyal Unionist, and did not defend slavery or southern secession. His army career consisted of major campaigns in the Indian wars along the western frontier and the Mexican War. His military prowess gained favor among northerners, and his ownership of slaves appealed to southern sympathies. Like some career generals do, he reluctantly entered politics as a call of duty, and won the presidency as a Whig in the election of 1848. “Old Rough and Ready” Taylor was an adherent to Whig policy, but he was not prepared to be their puppet, much to their chagrin. He ran his presidency as such. Traditionally, as territories applied for statehood, it had become their choice become slave or free states. To the consternation of southern states, Taylor urged settlers of New Mexico and California to immediately apply for statehood as free states, bypassing the conventional territorial stage. Southern states were incensed, and Congress was greatly dismayed at what they felt was Taylor’s flagrant attempt to usurp their policy-making powers in the admission of new states and maintaining the delicate balance of slave vs. free states. In 1850 President Taylor held a tempestuous conference with southern leaders who threatened secession. He told them sternly that if necessary he would uphold the law with military force, would personally lead the troops, and unwaveringly threatened to hang persons engaging in rebellion against the Union. It was becoming clear to all that the fiery issue of slavery could only be resolved at the muzzle of the rifle. On a blisteringly hot and relentlessly humid July 4th during Independence Day ceremonies at the Washington Monument, President Taylor fell ill and died five days later, thus prematurely ending yet another presidency. The tempest of slavery did not die with him. Soon the battle of rhetoric and the rattle of sabers would give way to total war.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 05:31:19 +0000
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