{"id":142,"date":"2012-12-03T00:17:18","date_gmt":"2012-12-03T05:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/?p=142"},"modified":"2012-12-03T00:17:18","modified_gmt":"2012-12-03T05:17:18","slug":"hero-of-the-rio-grande","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/1848\/hero-of-the-rio-grande\/","title":{"rendered":"Hero of the Rio Grande"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hero of the Rio Grande\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kGa5K-vqZaQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Carl Szanton<\/p>\n<p>This campaign ad supports Zachary Taylor is his bid for the presidency in 1848.\u00a0 With President James Polk not seeking re-election, Taylor, the Whig Party candidate, faced off against Democrat Lewis Cass and former president Martin Van Buren, a Free Soiler.\u00a0 <!--more-->Unlike his opponents, Taylor did not take a firm stand on any of the pressing issues, most notably the expansion of slavery.\u00a0 Cass was a staunch supporter of extending slavery to Western territories, while Van Buren advocated its containment. \u00a0Taylor evaded the issue, but was a Louisiana slave owner himself, which comforted Southern voters.\u00a0 Instead of focusing on his ambiguous stance on slavery in my ad, I tout his military experience and leadership credentials.<\/p>\n<p>Though he was a newcomer to politics, I argue that what Taylor lacks in electoral experience, he compensates for with character.\u00a0 I compare Taylor to George Washington both for his tremendous success as an Army General and his personality.\u00a0 Taylor was a war hero from the Mexican-American war, as well as the War of 1812 and various Indian campaigns.\u00a0 I capitalize on his reputation as a winner and the popularity he amassed from decisive victories on the battlefield.\u00a0 My argument in this ad is that even though his political positions are indefinite, the presidency can only be trusted to a man of Taylor\u2019s exceptional judgment and leadership ability.<\/p>\n<p>I open with comparisons between Taylor to Washington.\u00a0 I use a newspaper clipping that links the two based on \u201cextraordinary character.\u201d\u00a0 Next, I use an image of Taylor standing next to his white horse.\u00a0 This white horse looks similar to the white horse so often portrayed in illustrations of Washington.\u00a0 Above the image, I display a quote from General Persifor Frazer Smith, who also served in the Mexican-American war.\u00a0 Smith asserts that Taylor\u2019s military successes provide an opportunity for colleague to display his judgment, character and honesty.<\/p>\n<p>Next, I use newspaper clippings and illustrations to emphasize Taylor\u2019s unprecedented military achievement.\u00a0 I show three separate newspaper clippings that all affirm Taylor\u2019s success in war against Mexico.\u00a0 The newspaper clippings reference his heroism at the Rio Grande, a river that symbolizes American victory and a new southern border.\u00a0 By repeatedly mentioning the Rio Grande, I aim to remind viewers that Taylor succeeded decisively in driving Mexico\u2019s army out of the newly acquired American land.\u00a0 Between the three newspaper clippings I intersperse illustrations of Taylor riding his horse.\u00a0 The first image includes his nickname \u201cOld Rough and Ready\u201d\u2014symbolizing his toughness and willingness to fight.\u00a0 The second image lists major battles that he won such as Monterrey and Buena Vista on columns to his left and right.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, I seek show the viewer why Taylor is better choice for president than either Cass or Van Buren.\u00a0 I use a political cartoon of Uncle Sam in front of the White House escorting Taylor\u2019s two opponents away.\u00a0 Van Buren, who was still associated with Jackson Democrats, is taking the \u201cspoils system\u201d away with him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Next, I display an article from a Vermont newspaper that compares the three candidates and endorses Taylor.\u00a0 It criticizes Cass for being a cowardly prop of slaveholders. It attacks Van Buren for merely wishing to serve himself and ignoring the interests of the country.\u00a0 The article then throws its support behind Taylor, praising his patriotism, prudence, honestly and regard for the Constitution. \u00a0I included this article to make the case that Taylor\u2019s character is undoubtedly unmatched by his opponents.\u00a0 I conclude the ad with a political cartoon of Taylor punching Cass in the chest.\u00a0 Observing Taylor\u2019s demonstration of toughness are Van Buren, and Senators Henry Clay and Thomas Hart Benson.\u00a0 Clay was a prominent Whig allied with Taylor, while Benson was a prominent Democrat allied with Cass.<\/p>\n<p>For music, I selected \u201cRum-A-Dum-Dum,\u201d Taylor\u2019s campaign song.\u00a0 The song praises his toughness and touts his success in the Mexican-American War with lines such as \u201che&#8217;s the boy can skin and beat &#8217;em\u201d and \u201ca he&#8217;ll flog &#8217;em and annex &#8217;em too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">\n<p align=\"center\">Sources (in order of appearance)<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">\n<p>Article comparing Taylor to Washington:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=P62G57JLMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=26&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=26&amp;p_docnum=1&amp;p_docref=v2:10EEAF7CC09379E8@EANX-10F31C73FA7EE638@2396327-10F31C746FFA1EA8@1-10F31C7610387740@From+the+New+Orleans+Bulletin.+General+Taylor\">http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=P62G57JLMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=26&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=26&amp;p_docnum=1&amp;p_docref=v2:10EEAF7CC09379E8@EANX-10F31C73FA7EE638@2396327-10F31C746FFA1EA8@1-10F31C7610387740@From+the+New+Orleans+Bulletin.+General+Taylor<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Illustration of Taylor standing next to his horse:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/lcweb2.loc.gov\/service\/pnp\/pga\/03800\/03849v.jpg\">http:\/\/lcweb2.loc.gov\/service\/pnp\/pga\/03800\/03849v.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Quote on Taylor by Smith:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=R4EU51UFMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=22&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=22&amp;p_docnum=3&amp;p_docref=v2:10EEAF7CC09379E8@EANX-10F31C73FA7EE638@2396327-10F31C746FFA1EA8@1-10F31C7610387740@From+the+New+Orleans+Bulletin.+General+Taylor\">http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=R4EU51UFMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=22&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=22&amp;p_docnum=3&amp;p_docref=v2:10EEAF7CC09379E8@EANX-10F31C73FA7EE638@2396327-10F31C746FFA1EA8@1-10F31C7610387740@From+the+New+Orleans+Bulletin.+General+Taylor<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>First \u201chero of the Rio Grande\u201d clipping<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=O4FY52VGMTM1MjM1Mzk5MC43MzcxNjA6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=3&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=3&amp;p_docnum=2&amp;p_docref=v2:109DEB2A083D63E8@EANX-10A878C49ED422B8@2395452-10A878C4C9848600@1-10A878C5C8D035D8@%5bElisha+Ayres%3B+Preston%3B+Norwich+Republican%3B+Jefferson%3B+Louisville%3B+Zachary+Taylor%3B+Rio+Grande\">http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=O4FY52VGMTM1MjM1Mzk5MC43MzcxNjA6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=3&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=3&amp;p_docnum=2&amp;p_docref=v2:109DEB2A083D63E8@EANX-10A878C49ED422B8@2395452-10A878C4C9848600@1-10A878C5C8D035D8@[Elisha+Ayres%3B+Preston%3B+Norwich+Republican%3B+Jefferson%3B+Louisville%3B+Zachary+Taylor%3B+Rio+Grande<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Taylor on horse (\u201cOld Rough and Ready\u2019):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.loc.gov\/pictures\/item\/2003664124\/\">http:\/\/www.loc.gov\/pictures\/item\/2003664124\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Second \u201chero of the Rio Grande\u201d clipping<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=O4FY52VGMTM1MjM1Mzk5MC43MzcxNjA6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=3&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=3&amp;p_docnum=3&amp;p_docref=v2:109E419BA9978988@EANX-10BBECC66D98E9A0@2395474-10BBECC71BF2C900@2-10BBECCA3593B2C0@Warehousing+Bill\">http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=O4FY52VGMTM1MjM1Mzk5MC43MzcxNjA6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=3&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=3&amp;p_docnum=3&amp;p_docref=v2:109E419BA9978988@EANX-10BBECC66D98E9A0@2395474-10BBECC71BF2C900@2-10BBECCA3593B2C0@Warehousing+Bill<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Taylor on horse with battles won displayed on columns:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/lcweb2.loc.gov\/service\/pnp\/ppmsca\/07600\/07635v.jpg\">http:\/\/lcweb2.loc.gov\/service\/pnp\/ppmsca\/07600\/07635v.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Clipping with \u201cdriven the enemy beyond the Rio Grande\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=R4EU51UFMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=7&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=7&amp;p_docnum=2&amp;p_docref=v2:109E41AD5CE811F8@EANX-10B7AFB65FB5CC40@2395817-10B7AFB675B45E08@0-10B7AFB7C00D0020@From+the+Baltimore+Patriot.+Who+is+General+Taylor\">http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=R4EU51UFMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=7&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=7&amp;p_docnum=2&amp;p_docref=v2:109E41AD5CE811F8@EANX-10B7AFB65FB5CC40@2395817-10B7AFB675B45E08@0-10B7AFB7C00D0020@From+the+Baltimore+Patriot.+Who+is+General+Taylor<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Political cartoon of the White House scene:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.loc.gov\/pictures\/item\/2008661479\/\">http:\/\/www.loc.gov\/pictures\/item\/2008661479\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Article comparing the three candidates:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=R4EU51UFMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=10&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=10&amp;p_docnum=4&amp;p_docref=v2:10EEAF7CC09379E8@EANX-10F31C2344C7CCF8@2396268-10F31C2357D34228@0-10F31C24E6C90420@Choose+Ye\">http:\/\/infoweb.newsbank.com\/iw-search\/we\/HistArchive\/?p_product=EANX&amp;p_theme=ahnp&amp;p_nbid=R4EU51UFMTM1MjM1ODYwNi44NDIwNTc6MToxMzoxMzcuMTY1LjI3LjMy&amp;p_action=doc&amp;s_lastnonissuequeryname=10&amp;d_viewref=search&amp;p_queryname=10&amp;p_docnum=4&amp;p_docref=v2:10EEAF7CC09379E8@EANX-10F31C2344C7CCF8@2396268-10F31C2357D34228@0-10F31C24E6C90420@Choose+Ye<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Political cartoon of Taylor punching Cass:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.loc.gov\/pictures\/resource\/cph.3a12787\/\">http:\/\/www.loc.gov\/pictures\/resource\/cph.3a12787\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Carl Szanton This campaign ad supports Zachary Taylor is his bid for the presidency in 1848.\u00a0 With President James Polk not seeking re-election, Taylor, the Whig Party candidate, faced off against Democrat Lewis Cass and former president Martin Van Buren, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/1848\/hero-of-the-rio-grande\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":459,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26632],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-142","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-26632"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/459"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142\/revisions\/143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/hist359f2012\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}