Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-05-20
Gen, Taylor and the Presidency,

OF fancy, anu anylhlng mat may now enl'
anate from this source cannot be consid-
cred strange unless it be the avowal oI
some fixed principles and an adherance TO
them. But its present position is by far
the most ridiculous Fix that has ever fell
to the lot of anything subject to the con-
troll Of man. Alter having once adopted
the favorite saying of Henry Clay, that
the elevation of military chiertain was
worse than war pestilence and famine, u
they now seek to avail themselves OF the
military popularity orGen. Taylor to raise
themselves to power. Gen. Jackson was
obliged to remain on probation nine years
after he had distinguished himself as a
military hero, before the hono:s of Pres
ident were bestowed upon him, but in the
present case it is sufficient TO know that
Gen. Taylor has been successful in one
campaign; and before he can retire from
the field where he has won such invaluable
laurels his name is seized upon as the
magic of party success without even stop.
ping to ascertain his political creed. The
desperate designs of these reckless politi-
clans are strangely set forth in the follow
ing extracts:
1T was not thus formerly with all the
wing presses. Some of those which are
now crying up Gen. Taylor to the skies,
once extended their hatred TO the admin
straion and the war, even to the com.
handing officer The "Albany Atlas"
has cited several cases Of this description,
and among them the following:
The United States Gazette after the
cnpitula'ion of Monterey, thus led off in
censure of the conduct of Taylor on the
pretence that It was controlled by the ad-
minsration.'
at is singular that after SO triumphant
a cause, General Tay Tor should bring 50
unsatisfactory conclusion to his opera
tons, and we should be inclined TO cen.
sure conduct which permitted large ar
my, with its leader to depart in safety well
supplied with arms and CANON, without
the exaclion even Of a promise not to fight
again, were we not certain by circumsan.
ces, and the above semi-official announce
menl, that Gen. Taylor acted not accord,
ing TO his own judgment, but in accord
ance with the orders Of the cabinet at
Washington, which, being alarmed by the
frightul expenses of the war it heedIessly
and wickedly entered upon, is now seek
ing to purchase peace upon almost any
terms, s."
T N. B.-The Philadelphia U. States
Gazette now flies the name of General
Taylor at its masthead, For President
subject to the decision Of the wing nation
al convention!'
The Beaver, Pa, Argus, an humble
echo of the Gazette, on the 9th Of May
thus spoke:
ole General Taylor) is also the man
who recommended the the Cuba blood
hounds, that were put upon the trails Of
the Indians, and which brought the dem.
ocralic party into such bad repule. He
is undoubtedly brave mao, but Is thought
to be not well qualified for the duties and
responsibilities that rest upon him as
commander Of the army Of occupation"
The Philadelphia North American
speaking Of the refusal of the adminis'ra-
ton TO place Scott in command over Ia
ylor, said
"The war is now the cause Of the coun-
Try, not Of faction; and the effort to be'ray
and degrade the army through its chief,
in order to subserve unworthy political
purposes must meet with universal repro
baton"
The Boston Courier Mr. Webster's
organ exclaims:
"Away with this nonsense about a ma
tons gratitude being due to General Tay,
lor."
'"But what, at last, (says Mr. Webster
himself at the late dinner in Richmond)
are military achievements" 81, is true
they have fixed the fate of nations, turned
the tide of human affairs. But, after ALL
what is their end but to establish free
government and promote public prosperity!
Beyond that there is no national, no Chris
tan object in civil warfare" There
seems some groundsweIl in these sentence
es.'
1T must be confessed, indeed, that odd
Rough and Ready is not the lavorle can
dldale Of the federal papers. Some ex-
press a very decided opposition to it.
Amongst these as the Troy Budget says
"The Monmouth IN. j.. Inquirer, a
rabid whig paper, has holy horror Of a
military chieftain for the next president"
"In speaking oc Gen. Tayor's nomina.
ton for the presidency, it says;
""This is nomination growing out of
military mania and II 10 !, aa.,, ,xo