The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-08-27
HOPEFUL.


Another.
The New Orleans Daily National of
August 18th, copies from the Clinton
F~loridian," the following letter, lad
dressed TO a democrat" by Gen. Taylor:
CAMP NEAR MONTEREY, Mexico,
June 9th, 1S47.
Dear Sr:-Your letter of the 18th ult.
from Clinton, Louisiana, has just reached
me, in which you are pleased to say, the
signs of the times in relation to the next
Presidency and the prominent position of
your name in connection with it, is a suf-
%ficient excuse for this letter" That, "it
is "a happy feature in our Government
that official functionaries under it, from
the lowest to the highest station, is not
beyond the reach and partial supervision
of the humblest citizen, and that it is a
right in every freeman to possess himself
of the political principles and opinions
of those into whose hands the admins
%tration ofthe Government may be placed
&C., to all of which fully coincide with
you in opinion. Asking my views on
several subjects, "First-As to the JUS
tice and necessity of this war with Mexi-
co. on our part. Second--As to the ne
cessity of a national bank, and the pow
er of Congress for creating such an insti-
tuition. Third-As to the effects of a
high protective tariff, and the right of
Congress, under the Constitution, to Gre
ate such a system of revenue"
AS regards the first i~nterrogatory, my
duties and the position | occupy, l do
not consider it would be proper in me to
give any opinion in regard to the same as
a citizen, and particularly as a soldier, it
is sufficient for..me to know that our coun-
try is at war with foreign nation, to do
all in my power to bring it to a speedy
and honorable termination, by the most
vigorous and energetic operations, with
out inquiring aboutits justice, Or anything
else, connected with it; believing, as | do
it is our wisest policy to be at peace with
all the world, as long as it can be done
without e%ndangering the honor and in
%terests of the country. AS regards the
second and third inquiries, | am not pre-
pared to answer them; | could only do
so after investigating those subjects,
which | n now do; my whole time
being fully occupied in attending to my
proper official dnlies, which must not be
neglected under any circumstances; and
| must say to you in substance what l
have said to others in regard to similar
matters, that | am no politician. Near
forty years Of my life have been passed in
the public service, in the army, most of
which in the tented field, the camp, on
our western frontier, or in the Indian
country; and for nearly the two last, in
this or Texas, during which time / have
not passed one night under the roof of a
house.
AS regards being a candidate for the
Presidency at the coming election, |
have no aspirations in that way, and re-
greet that the subject has been agitated at
this early day, and that it had not been
deferred until the close of this war, or
until the end of the next session of Con.
gress, especially, if | am to be mixed up
in it, as it is possible it may lead TO the
injury of tho public service in this quar-
ter, by my operations being embarrassed
as we'll as to produce much excitement
in the country growing out of the discus
sion of the merits, &c, Of the different as
pirants for that high office, which might
have been very much allayed, if not pre-
vented, had the subject been deferred as
suggested; besides very many changes
may take place between now and 1S4S,
so much so as to make it desirable for the
interest of the country, that some other
individual than myself, better qualified
for the situation, should be selected; and
could he be elected,I would not only acqui-
esce in such an arrangement, but would
rejoice that the republic had one citizen
and no doubt there are thousands, more
deserving than | am, and better qualified
to discharge tho duties of said office.
If have been named by others and
considered a candidate for the Presiden-
cy, it has been by no agency of mine in
the matter-and if the good people think
ny Y ''SCo ihiPOitul W tHdl otdliOU, duQ
elect me, | will feel bound to serve them
and all the pledges and explanations that
| can enter INTO and make, as regards
this or that policy, is, that l do so honest
ly and faithfully to tho best of my abili-
ties, strictly in compliance with the Con-
stitution. Should l ever occupy the
White House, 1t must be by the sponta-
neous move of the people, and by no act
of mine. so that could getinto Office un-
trammeled, and be the chief magistrate
Of the nation and not of a party.
But should they, the people. change
their views and opinions between this
and the time Of holding the election, and
cast their votes for tho Presidency for
some one else, | will not complain. With
considerations o frespect, | remain
Your ob't servant,
z. TAYLOR.
Mr. EDWARD DELUNY.
PSI write in great haste, and un.