The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-08-14

l.
H Lewis. Mr.. Lewis, we are informed, is per-
fectly satisfied with the reply of Mr.. Peyton
APRIL IA, l847.a
Dea1 Sir; | fear that owing to my want Of
information, the anwer which l shall be COM
PEELED to give to your inquiries will be much
less satisfactory and definite than ! could de-
sire.
AsI understand your letter, you wish to be
informed ''as to the character, political opin!
ions, and probable action Of Gen. Taylor, and
his friends" in relation to the next Presiden-
tial election and also his and their views Of
the proper manner Of presenting his name 0f
ii is to be ptesented) to the A merican people,
together with his views and opinions on seye-
raj of the great political questions which d.
vide parties, etc., etc. To all which / can only
state in general terms, what | hope and trust
and believe will be his course, If elected Pre-
sident of the United States, without knowing
or undertaking to state what are his opinions
oil the political questions mentioned in your
letter.
The truth is, that the old Generals mind was
SO much engrOssed in his military affairs, while
l was with him, first in providing, in fact Gre
ating transportation for his army, when he
marched upon Monterey, from the Rio Grande;
secondly, in the march; and, lastly, in Storm
ing that city, that he had little time or inclina-
ton to speak on any other subjects; except
those which appertained to his military opera
tons.
/ can say in general terms that he is a Wing,
but no Federalist. He belongs to the RePubli-
can school Of politics. And this is about all
that | can state with certainty on the subject
of his political predictions. But little as
know of his views upon particular questions,
yet l am willing to trust him. He is my first
choice, and it is my opinion that, if he can be
D induced to run (Which is by no means certain,
for his modesty is equal to his merritt he will
9 be elected President by reclamation. l mean
a to do all in my power to overcome his reluct-
4 ance to suffer his name 10 be presented, not so
8 much on account Of his being a Wing, but
! because l esteem him as a great and good man,
$ possessing a clear, sound, vigorous mind, ant
e an honest, elevated, and patriotic heart.
9 wish to see him elected President, not so muct
because he Is a successful General (and on tn,
score of his services he is entitled TO the frs
d honors of the nationO but because, from BIZ
e brilliant exploits, and the hold he has upon thu
confidence and gratitude of the people, be-
s lieve that he is capable of rendering and vii
d render-to the country more real and substan'
o tial service in the Office Of President, than any
h politician 10 the nation, however able and pat
y riotic he might be-. He will, if elected, g
into power with areputation pure and spotles
as the unstained snow, upon which The breall
of party malignity has never blown, lie vii
g be unsoiled by the dust of the political arena
un~contaminated by the strife, and toll, and bill
terness Of party, which the best and braves
who have been long in the trade of polite
must see, and feel and suffer from, in a create
d or less degree.
A man situated as Gen. Taylor is, unchain
ed to the car of party, who will go into otfic
IL unshackled, and free 10 act out the dictates
a strong mind, and an honest heart, could leav
a model administration behind him. He coul
III carry out that purifying process in the cOrre'
&c ton Of abuses, of which you and have hear
so much, and seen the necessity. believe
IN is the man to do it. If Gen. Taylor is to be
candidate, l agree with you, in the MAN, as I
g. the propriety Of having his name brought fol
~ ward BY the people, in their primary assemblie'
u wish to see him run upon his W merits an
IN claims, and not upon the rules and articles
u party, as might be dictated to him by a Coz
%vention.
IN had much rather trust such a man, tina
u such a Convention. | wish to see every ma
in the United States have an opportunity
u supporting him. | wish to see him electt
without opposition, by reclamation, as Was
Is iupton was elected. And he more resembl
50 Washington than any living man-not on
al as a successful General, but in the purit
simplicity, and greatness of his character
his sound understanding, strong will, indon
~ table courage; united with a fund OF connie
~ sense, and an ~intuitive knowledge OF me
'ei which constitute the truly great practical ma
- He is plain, frank, firm, brave, just without
ne particle of arrogance or selfshness. tie IS
III man who does not know how to utter a ials
." hood. He never, in word, deed or look' d
le' co;vad friend or foe. His word once passt
whether it be to a naked Indian in Florida,
-. to a ,hieviDg Ranchero in Mexico, has e'
"a been held sacred, And the promise of a fav
,is or a fogging, was sure to be redeemed.
N or one thing, we have an assurance-tl
is, If he is elected President, he will 60 In
al the highest grounds - without bending o
w. inch from his lofty position-no Kane lett
Il. or demagogue pledges from him. The Ere
i'd dency has no charms for the hero Of SO ma
zee fields, and it would be too dearly purchased
H. sacrifice ne n renutation to which the n