Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-09-16


Mn Enron: Tho Of asked questions, VIII
Gen. Taylor be candidate for the Presidency
IN Is48f I" and " If 90, will he receive the vote
4 the Wing party2" have suggested IN my mind
few thoughts upon this subject, which, should
ou think proper, you are at liberty 70 Jay PC
ore YOUR readers. 10 the first Of these queries,
NAV be answered, that present appearances
ertainly indicate that Gen. Taylors name VIII
C presented before the people for their suiira-
cs; indeed, he has already been nominated BY
cveral conventions Of the people, and some pub
ic journals have placed his name at the head OF
their columns, as the candidate who will receive
their support for that high Office. Aitnough,
with many other Wings, l very much doubt the
propriety of aaitating the question Of who will,
or win not be the Wing candidate, at this early
day, STILL rs il Is a subject which Is at this time
cngrossing large share of public attention, a
few remarks may not be wholly amiss
That Gen Taylor is a man Of extraordinary
military talents, his conduct in the discharge OF
the arluous and responsible duties that have de-
vovcd on him, in the course Of our war with
Mexico, abundanly shows That he also pos
sesses mental endowments Of high order, other
than those Of a military character, and that as
man, he Is honest and high-mindcd, seems also
to be proved by his writings and dispatches.
But that these qualities alone render him a
tuittnlc ptfrou tut uit support ot tit WuiHr W
the Union, for the exalted station Of Chief Mag
istratc Of this nation, is TO me a matter Of ex-
trcme doubt. II has been customary, heretofore,
for the ffcemen Of all parties to require from a
candidate for their support, declaration Of his
views, and an exposition OF his principles, on
great questions OF national policy, before COM
hitting themselves, beyond the possibility Of
Withdrawal, to his support; and such declara-
ton has usually been given.
Accordingly, since Gen. Taylor's name has
been 20 conspicuonsly placed before the people,
gentlemen, OF various quarters, have addressed
him in regard to his political principles And
think he has uniformly refused 10 give direct
answers to any Of these inquiries, merely saying
that be is willing to be the candidate Of the pco-
pie at large, but not Of party. Hence, IL We
vote for him, We vote for a man about whose po-
litical opinions we have but little knowledge, and
that little Of very unsatisfactory character.
In view Of these facts, put the question TO
the Wings Of this country---ls the action Of those
proiessedly Wing conventions by which General
Taylor has been nominated, and Of those Wing
journals that have pledged him their support,
proper one ? Heretofore we have declared our
selves for principles, and not men; and ask IL
we have discovered any reason why we should
throw up those prineiplesY Is a protective tar
III any less necessary TO the prosperity Of the
country now, than II was in lS4t? Do VIC see
any reason why the measures Of distribution Of
the proceeds of the public land sales, and proper
restriction Of executive power are not rs well
calculated TO promote the public welfare now, as
they were three years agoY Are we not as
strongly in favor Of those salutary measures now,
as We have been in days gone hyg think the
universal answer Of the Wings Of the country TO
these questions must be-Yesl
Then why should 20 many Wings commit
themselves to the support Of man about whose
principles they know nothing, merely because
the splendor Of his military achievements has
rendered his name popular with the multitude
We have men enough in the ranks Of our party,
whose long public experience, unquestioned in
tegrify, and statesmanliISe qualities, render them
fit opponents Of our principles, and doubtless a
selection might be made from among them which
would meet the appreciation Of the whole party.
know not but Gen. Taylor is a Wing in every
sense Of the term Should future developments
prove this to be the case, and should his name
be placed before the people by a properly con-
siituted convention, he would undoubtedly re-
ceive the united support Of the party; but should
the case prove otherwise, il is to be hoped that
we shall unite upon some other man, and thus
ens s the ss.a. e osE B;,s;ssY'r my views,
subscribe myself by name indicative of the
spirit in which write. CANDOR-
We see nothing to disapprove in the opinions
Of " Candor." Whoever receives the votes Of
the Wing party, must be Wing. We arc no
great believer in pledges, for they are usually
made to hannonize with the popular current
The reasons assigned by Gen. Taylor, for de-
Ginning to express bis opinions political ques-
tons, are highly creditable to him. And il he
could be induced to give pledges where he had
formed no opinions, he would be unworthy of
trust II is evident, however, that with the in
formation Of Gen. Taylor's political principles
now before the public, he cannot be made con-
sistently the candidate Of either political party
and this without any diminution of confidence in
his character and capacity. The great questions
that separate the two parties, do not impeach the
integrity Of either, and tho measures Gen. Tay-
Tor may honestly approve, may in the opinion of
the North, be destructive to the best interests of
the country.-Ed PAGnir.