The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-27
Zachary TAYLOR.

History Is only human nature in state of
GENERALIZATION. The Greeks were fickle-the Ro-
mans ungratetul. Themistocles, a wauderer at
the court of Persia, was the victim of Athenian
osracsn. Caius Marius, leaning over tn.
ruins Of Carthage, suffered Punishment from the
ungrateful Romans The lapse of twenty or thr-
~ centuries changes but slightly the human
heart, congreg gated in masses, and forming ho-
mOgeneous people. The deeds of antiquiy-the
glory of the Grecan phalanx-the bravery Of the
Roman battalion, have not only been reproduced
on this continent, during the last twenty months +,
bat the fickenTs of the Greclans and the ingrati-
,ude of the Romans, are mixed up in the same
Observation-Disclosures for future historian
in the existing attitude of the American peo-
pie towards one of their most distinguished mi
ltary men.
We alIude to Gen. Taylor The fields of Palo
Alto, Monterey, and above all, of Buena VISTA
created enthusiasm in the American mind
ind threw a halo around the American name
that surprised and startled the world from deep
slumber of thirty years. In the first develope-
ment Of that enthusiasm, the whole press and
the whole people, numbering twenty-five mil
lions Of the latter and twenty hundred of the
former, united In one burst of APPLAUSE this
is the man that will be our next President"
What change has come over the public mind
in less than six months Hardly tongue lisps
the word Taylor-Rough and Ready is heard no
more. The journals which raised his name are
stealing it from their columns, like pick pockets
those who huzzaed in the streets and in public
places, "Old Rough and Ready" are now silent
and, with their long tongues hanging out at one
side of their shameless cheeks, are intriguing
with the political ciiques ofthe day for other men
and candidates.
If the Greeks ware tickle, and the Romans un.
grateful, is it not apparent that the American
people are both tickle and ungrateful in one
breath as invincible and as brave as both those
ancient people, and combining in their character
the same mcanness with the same extraordinary
traits of bravery, courage, invincibility, tickle
ness and ingratitude AS people, we have at
earlier period of our history surpassed the
Grecians and the Romans in the rapidity of oul
conquests-in the brilllancy of our deeds, and
IN the terrible energy Of our troops. Have we
not also surpassed them in the rpeness, the rich.
ness of our fickeness and ingratitude to one o.
our principal chiefs, who accomplished 30 much
glory for our common country with 30 littl,
meansi
Gen. Taylor's victories on the Rio Grand
were the first to give new feeling TO tn
American people-to open new future TO tn
minds eye, and to startle the world will
new development Of national power. HI
organised the regulars the volunteer
he taught them his patience and his courage
he led them to the heights Of Monterey, and t
the terrific conflict on the field of Buena Vista
victorious and triumphant. Yet, just in the mo
ment of victory-in mid career of his glory-th
government called off the troops whom he edu
cated-collected the generals and the soldier
whom he led to victory, and placed them unde
the command Of another, but not Drawer or
better man, and left the founder Of our Mexica
victories in idleness and sloth. Was not this a
instance of government ingratitudel And is no
the GOODNESS with which the name of Genera
Taylor is now alluded to throughout the countr
as shameful piece of national as the other wa
of government ingratitudel "Let Aristides b.
banished," said the peevish Athenian. Why1'
asked the sage. "I hate to hear him con
tinually called "the Just" "Let Gene
raj Taylor, let Old Rough and Ready be
stripped of his troops, and be condemned TO oh.
security" Sand whyl'' asks the enquirer "We
the politicians of the United States-we, who
endcavor to buy and sell presidents, 20 that we
the name of Gen. Taylor, for those very victories
for that very honesty, forl that quiet simplicit!
of character, which have given him a name an,
popularity. We can't buy and sell him-w
can't barter him-wc can't make him our tool
He is not our man. and, therefore, we must sen,
him, like Themistocles, to wander among tn
deserts Of the east, or Danish him, like Marlus
TO lean over the ruins Of Carthage"
Such in effect, seems to be the position Q
affairs IN the existing sentiment of the America
people, at this crisis of the Mexican question an
the next presidency. Originating in Kentucky
we see one clique OF the politicians collectn
their strength, organizing their forces, secret
issuing forth their circulars, and, with their can
didate on their shoulders, endeavoring to as
tonish and convulse the whole country with hi
merits, his capacity, and his great popularity
And in this very effort, mean and sneaking as
lie, they take no notice Of General Taylor. Hi
merits are deprecated, his character overlooked
and all his war-worn services are cast aside a
OF no sort Of estimation with that class Of me-
who want office, and who make presidents 4
&c, spoils.
No sooner has this movement extended |,
other parts OF the country than the friends OF an
other leader begin to stir themselves in smi
lar way, and make efforts to concentrate thei
forces and sentiment on the individual from
whom they expect, also, the gifts of office an,
some OF the spolls. General Scott, one of thu
most distinguished leaders of the day, has erea
and overwhelming merit but no one can de n,
tha. he is indebted for one half Of his glory |,
Mexico, TO the eiloyle " General Taylcr. i