The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-07-09
Cen. I'aYIOl.


the Cincinnati Signal, from Gen. Taylor,
is Of sufficient importance to Justify inser.
tion in our columns. The Introductory
remarks Of the Editor-to whom it was
addreSsed-we copy as explanatory of
its character.
If there be objections to the letter,
they do not consist in want of frankness
or moral courage. The Signal says:
1.-The circumstances under which the
following letter was received by the Ed
itor, are regarded as a warrant for its
publication. W. felt it our duty, when
the first demonstrations were made in ia
vor of Gen Taylor for the Presidency, to
dwell upon the subject at considerable
Iongth. W. were DESTROYS that some Of
the suggestions contained in our article
should meet the eye of Gen. Taylor, and
therefore enclosed it to his address, with
Il few words of reference to our position
as a journalist. Inreply to that commu
nication we have received the admirable
and significant letter, which we take
pleasure in lying before our readers"
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCcUPATloE
Camp near MoETEREY. May II, 1917.
SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter with tho e%nclos-
ure of your editorial, extracted from the
Signal" of the 18th April.
Atthistime. my public duties command
SO fully my attention, that it is impossible
to answer your letter in the terms de-
handed by its courtesy, and the impor-
lance ofthe sentiments to which it alludes,
neither, indeed, have | the time, should |
feel myself at liberty, to enter into the
few and most general subjects of public
policy suggested by the article in ques-
ton. My " personal views were bet
ter withheld till the end of the war, when
my usefulness as amilitary chief, serving
in the field against the common enemy,
shall no longer DO compromised by their
expression or discussion in any manner.
From many sources | have been ad.
dressed on the subject Of the Presidency,
and | Go violence neither to myself nor
to my position as an officer of the army,
by acknowledging TO You, as | have done
to all who have alluded to the use of my
name in this exalted connection, that my
services are ever at the will and call of
mycountry, and that I'm not prepared to
say that | shall refuse if the country calls
me to tho Presidential Office, but that |
can and shall yield to no call that does
not come from the spontaneous action
and free will of the nation at large, and
void of the slightest agency of my own.
For the high honor and responsibilities
of such an office, | take this occasion to
say, have not the slightest aspiration; n
much more tranquil and satisfactory life,
after the termination of my present du-
ties, awaits me, | trust, in the society Of
my family and particular friends, aud in
the occupations most congeniel to my
wishes. In no case a | permit myself.
to be the candidate of any party, or yield
myself to party schemes.
With these remarks, | trust you will
pardon me for thus briefly replying to
you, which | do with a high opinion and
approval ofthe sentiments and Vows en-.
bracod in your editorial.
With many wishes for your prosperity
in life. and great usefulness in the sphere
in which talents aud excrtions arc EN-
barkod, beg to acknowledge myself,
Most truly and respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. u. S. Army.
JAMES w. TAYLOR. Esq, Gin, o.