American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-29

THE PRESIDENcY. 1t is entirely too early to
commence the Presidential campaign, or to dis
cuss the merits or dement's Of gentlemen who
il may be supposed are likely to become candi
dates for that distinguished staton--and yet it
may not be amss to have the names ofthe gen
tlemen brought before the public for considera-
ton. There are enough of eminent men in the
country from whom to make a selections; and
the pretensions of each will probably be can
vassed by the conventions Of the two parties
Among the persons who have already been
named for the Presidency is the brave and sue
cessful Gen Taylor; and against his nominal
ton by the party to which he is said to be at
tached, we have received communication; the
writer of which, without denying or affirming
his qualifications for the Office, states his obiec-
tons to the General in the following language:
"Can it be, that he who has never seen service
save of military character-whose talents
have never been shewn save in few Skin
IAshes with savlges and half civilized mon, is
entitled to the preference who never, until the
achievement in Texas of two victories, was
thought of as 4 candidate for the Presidency;
and who but for them, never, perhaps, would
have been? 1t seems that TO prefix the title of
General TO a mans name, and embellish his life
with few victories, are all that is requisite to
beit him for any oCcupany, The nomination
of Gen. Taylor for the Presidency, is not be-
cause ofhis talents and wisdom, but because he
is more likely to succeed than any other. Adj
uniting Gen. Taylor to DO all that is requisite
for Presdent-make HIM such-and we but add
another proof TO the fact, that all man can
want to place him highest in power, is, to win
for himselfa little military fame"
IL 1t is true, as suggested by our correspon-
dent, that, with political parties, availability
in the candidate is generally of more conside-
ratien than fitness for Office. But we must
not be misunderstood by this remark, as intend
ing any thing in disparagement of the talents
Of General Taylor. lie appears 10 be modest,
unassuming man, endowed with strong COM
mon sense-and he may be, for ought we
know to the contrary, peculiarly qualified for
the distinguished station for which he has been
named But we agree with our correspondent,
chat military fame alone, should be no recon-
mendation fol the Presdency-and hence'
that itGeneral Taylor possess no other quaii6-I
cation, he should not be chosen for that Office,
1t is, unfortunately, too much the disposition
of mankind, to be dazzled by military success,
and almost to Deity triumphant generals. The
indulgence of this disposition in republic may
prove lis downfall; for the army is usually de-
voted to the successful general, [as in the case
of Bonaparte,l and might be willing to sus-
tain HIM in his measures, even though they
went TO the overthrow of the government, and
the establishment Of despotsn. We would
not make military services a disqualification
for Office even the highest in the gift of the
people: but we never can consent to assist in
the elevation of mere military chieftain to
station, where his ignorance might prove dctr-
mental to the public welfare.