Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-07-09
GEN. TAYLOR AND THE PRESIDENCY

GEN. TAYLOR AND THE PRESIDENCY.
A good deal has been "said and sung" a.
bout Gen. Taylor as candidate for the Presi-
dental chair. A good many of our Federal
contemporaries in the South have hoisted the
name OF Gen. Taylor as their candidate for
Inc Presidency. At the same time, several
influential organs of the same party in the
New England States, and also in Ohio, have
thrown cold water upon the whole natter
Most OF the Wing papers claim him for a
good out-and-out Clay Wing, whilst 9TH
ers say, although whig, General Taylor
Is moderate man, and is not much welded to
party. For our own part, we have not yet
been able to find out what political principles
the Hero of Buena Vista really does profess
In vain have we enquired of our Federal CO.
temporaries who have hoiste1 his name, for
the principles of the man whom they desire
to place in the Presidential chair of the I'm
ion. In vain, we say, for we have never yet
had our enquiries answered. Gen. Taylor has
incidentally written several letters, but from
none of them have we been able to extract
the desired information. The following let
ter which we find in the Cincinnati Signal of
the Goth June, is the most public and author
itative which Gen. Taylor has yet written !;
still it leaves US in the dark on this all-mpor-
tant point. The editor OF the Signal had writ
ten long article on the subject of the next
Presidential campaign, and Gen. Taylors con-
necton with that campaign, and he addressed
letter TO Gen. Taylor, enclosing the article,
and especially calling the Generals attention
to the views there expressed; and also, we
believe, requesting reply. The letter which
we give below, is the reply which the editor
received. II is short, and produces in the
mind two or three conclusions: First, Gener-
al Taylor would accept the Presidency, if ten
dered TO him by the spontaneous voice of the
American people. In the second place, Gen.
Taylor refuses to give his views on political
matters just noD. In the third place, the old
Hero distinctly says, that he will not be the
candidate of any party. What do our FEEDER.
al friends think of this last little matter?-
What construction do they put this part
of the letter? Is this Just the candidate they
would like to support' One who would moi
be either a Wing or a Democrat before the
election, but who they might think they would
be able to mould to their own views, if they
could once elect him ? We would like to heal
from some of tie Federal papers on this sub
iect.
The following is the letter alluded to: -
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION
Camp near Monterey, May IS, 1S47.
SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter, with the enclosure OF
your editorial, extracted from the d" .Signat' o.
the 18th April.
At this time my public duties command sc
fully my attention, that it IS impossible to an
swer your letter in the terms demanded by it,
courtesy, and the importance OF the sentiments
to which it alludes neither, indeed, have
the time, should feel myself at liberty, to en-
ter into the few and most general subjects O.
public policy suggested by the article in gus
ton. My own personal views were BETTE
withheld to the end of the war, when my use
fulness as a military chief, serving in the fielC
against the common enemy, shall. no longe
be compromised by their expression or discus
SION IN any manner
From many sources have been addressed
on the subject of the Presidency, and do vi
, olence neither to myself nor to my position a
an officer of the army, by acknowledging Il
you, as have done to all who have ALLUDED
to the use of my name in this exalted connec
ton, that my services are ever at the will an(
call of the country, and that | am not prepar
ed to say that | shall refuse if the countr,
calls me to the Presidential office, but that
can and shall yield to no call that does no
come from the spontaneous action and fire.
will of the nation at large, and void OF tn
slightest agency of my own.
For the high honor and responsibilities O
such an office, take this occasion TO say, tina
| have not the slightest aspirations; mucl
more tranquil and satisfactory life, after tn
termination of my present duties, awaits me,
trust, in the society of my family and particu
lar friends, and in the occupations most con
genial to my wishes. In no case can per
nit myself to be the candidate of any party
or yield myself to party schemes.
With these remarks, | trust you will par
don me for thus briefly replying to you, whc]
do with high opinion and approval of tn
sentiments and views embraced in your edito
rial.
With many wishes for your prosperity j
life, and great usefulness in the sphere j
which your talents and exertions are essssstsss
, ed, beg to acknowledge myself
! Most truly and respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
: Z. TAYLOR,
Major General U. S. Army.
, JAMES ". TAYLOR, Esq, Cincinnati, Ohio.