The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-22

~ CHARACTER
Nj MOI Fl or THE
NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE

reared in this country and 70 all intents atrue
Kentuckian. might, said Col. NJ. draw his
picture to your minds eye, as in the prime Of
youth, he stood among the burning ,imbers Of
Fort Harrison, foiing his savage and incendi-
AIRY foe by the exertion of a genius whose IA
cility Of resource amidst dangers most appall-
ing, first attracted the, attention Of the Govern
ment; or. as he appeared before the blazing
hammocks of Okechobe. the very impersons-
ton Of iiarepid and personal gallantfy Or a.
The hero around whose furrowed brow are en-.
cilcled the laurels Of Palo' Alto, Resaca, Mon
terey and Buena Vista. but il was moi insthel
light Of a military chieitain merely that he
most attracted my attention Of won upon my
admiration n isae't, .n' ,''ts aslga i
4 could sketch the person TO whom have
alluded so as to present him in the light Of q
mere military chieftain on the field Of Buena
Vista, and be viii equal if not sarpass any Of
the instances we ohavey suggested. Fancy Al
man turned OH the downward path OF life,
mounted upon white war horse, whose arch
ing neck seems 10 spurn the earth over which
his feet proudly tread, and behold, around him,
gallant staff, 10 which is centred genius pfI
the highest order, with demeanor the most
gentlemanly and modesty ,,he most attractive.
See him as he calmly contemplates the ap
proach Of an enemy more than four times out
Numbering his own untried army Of volunteer
soldiery. a,l *HaY* .at7*
His countrymen are accustomed to look
upon Gen. Taylor in the light Of military
character alone, and, indeed, his operations,
and the manner in which, without once trust
ing TO luck, he has conducted those operations
to glorious results, indicate such system in the
management tof professional business, such
large experience. such high order Of in,elli-
gence, such courage and perseverance in posi-
tons Of danger. SUCH energy Of character and
steadiness of purpose as must stamp him at
once as a soldier of most commanding talent,
and as an extraordinary man; but il is not to
these traits would refer, as | before stated, for
the nobest features Of his character or upon,
which have myself fingered with most plea
sure when contemplating him. These quail
ties may make . great captain, but they do not
make the better character-.A good man, My
service in Mexico frequently brought me near
TO Gen. Taylor, and was industrious ia my
examination Of the character Of the man when
ever opportunity was presented have no
motive TO deceiveiyou, and you must take the
impressions received for what they are worth.
The manner in which politicians, in this our
day, are accustomed 10 speak Of men, and es-
pecially Of such as may be elevated to political
power, is so utterly extravagant, SO profusely
hyperbolical. that, after they take hold Of the
character Of General Taylor, no description
could give would be recognised as bordering
on truth. Glowing oratory will seize the
achievements Of the General and dress them
of in all the frippery Of metaphor, and doubt
whether tensas will ever be regarded, or whe-
ther he would know his own likeness. Ihave
seen the pictures Of him in books and pamphlets
and in prints. Some have the head Of Napo-,
leon, others that Of Caesar, and some are unlike
any original have ever beheld, but none like
the General know. So il viii be with the
pictures the politicians will execute. II de-
sired 10 express in the fewest words what mans
ner of man Gen. Taylor is, should say, that,
in his manners and his appearance, he Is one Of
the common people Of this country. He might
be transferred from his tent at Monterey 10 this
assembly and he would not be remarked among
this crowd Of respectable old farmers as man
at all distinguished from those around him. ~
Perfectly temperate in his habits perfectly
plain in his dress; entirely unassuming in his,
manners, he appears to be an old gentleman in
fine health, whose thoughts are NOT turned upon
his personal appearance and who has no point
about him to attract particular attention. In his
intercourse with men, he is free, frank and
manly. He plays off none Of the airs Of some
great men whomsI have met There is'an ar
ii6cial dignity some men wear 10 add to moral
stature which conscience whispers, 10 them
may need support from masnerism.e Some,,
who ,cossld be deemed great, preserve their rep
utation BY a studied gravity. .,,, n. 1S,j,,s@,
But q close and critical examination of these
always discovers assures in the character fatal
" blemishing the perfection which they pre-
tend to, and preserve the appearance Of. by
keeping a, q distance from their peers Cen
Taylor is moi Of this, class Of great men,. ANY
one may approach him as nearly as can be de-
sired, and the more closely his character is ex-
~ III f.f III. /.
amined the greater beauties il discfoses. sos
80 III. =. m h,,p.f s,,,x,as Ar, mi r,,en 4 ~