Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-09
Letter from GenernI TarIor.

Letter from General Taylor.
The following leuer from Gen. Taylor TO the
Editor Of the Cincinnati Morning Signal, is in
reply TO one addressed to him by the editor. As
the writer is decidedly prominent man-occu-
pying distinguished position in the counlry-we
hasten to lay il before our readers, as a part Of
the history of the times. We extract from the
Signal of This morning:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OccUPAToN,(
Camp near Monterey, May 10, l847.
SIR: | have the honor to acknowledge the re.
ceipl Of your letter with the enclosure of your
editorial extracted from the "Singal" of the 18Th
April.
At this time, my public duties command so lul.
y my attention, that it is impossible to answer
your leuer in the terms demanded by its courte.
sy, and the importance of the sentiments TO which
il aIludes, neither, indeed have the lime, should
| feel myself at liberty, TO enter into the few and
most general subjects Of public policy suggested
by the article in question. My own personal
views were better withheld till the end Of the war,
when my usefulness as Il military chief, serving
in the field against the common enemy. shall no
longer be compromised by their expression or
discussion in any manner.
From many sources have been addressed on
the subject Of the Presidency, and do violence
neither 10 myself or to my position as an officer
of the army, by acknowledging 10 you, as have
done 10 all who have alluded 10 the use Of my
name in this exalted conneXion, that my serv-
ces are ever al the will and call of the country,
and that am not prepared 10 say that shall re-
fuse, if the country calls me 10 the 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 al large, and void ol
The slightest agency Of my own.
For the high honor and responsibilities Of such
an office, take this occasion 10 say, that have
not the slightest aspiration; much more tran.
quill and satisfactory life, after the termination Of
my present duties, awaits me, trust, in the soci.
ely of my family and particular friends, and in
the occupations most cOngenial 10 my wishes
In no case can permit myself to be the ecandidale
of any party, or yield myself to party schemes.
With these remarks, trust you will pardon
me for thus briefly replying to you, which dc
with high opinion aud approval OF the senl
ments and views embraced in your editorial.
With many wishes for your prosperity in life
and great usefulness in the sphere in which your
talents aud exertions are embarked, beg to &C.
knowledge myself, most truly and respectfully
. your O0eulCnt servant, Il. lA1 LUX,
Maj. Gen. U. S. Army.
JAS. w. TAYLOR, ESQ.,, Cincinnati, Ohio.
The article, to which reference has been made
was published in the "Morning Signal" Of April
: 18Th, and is as follows:
GEN. TAYLOR AND THE PRESIDENCY.
We perceive, in various quarters, the nomina.
= I,,o e a. G,,r don.
, cy. So far as such demonstration is The mere
transport of military enthusiasm, or the trick o
political faction, it would be unworthy of notice,
but we think it evident that this movement Of the
public mind has much higher characIer-Ond
grows of conviction that Gen. Taylor has dis
played an energy and wisdom Of conduct, and t
= modeSty Of demeanor, which are as requisite to
the deliberations OF a cabinet as the plan of q
campaign. 1t is great mistake 10 suppose thai
the people are blinded TO their political preeren
ces by The bare fact of military achievements
. 1t was the popular impulses and the stern homes
Nv Of Andrew Jackson, which aroused the sym
palhv and trust Of the nation, and we predict that
t Whatever skill or success may attend The maicl
of Gen. Scott 10 Mexico, he will never excite the
; attachment or confidence which follows the here
of Buena Vista. We are not surprised, there
fore, that the ardent spirits are calling for tn,
sword of Gen. Taylor 10 cut the Gordian knot o
political nlrigues But it is far different ques
lion, whether his name and fame shall be made
an instrument of mere partisan warfare. In lh
respect, there is distinction, which we are con
, fidenl Gen. Taylor will be among the first II
\ perceive and act upon, and which We hope 10 il
luslrae in the few remarks that we feel conSlrai
c ned to make in reference 10 existing and future
a agitation Of this subject.
What an enviabe rankin the eyesof the world
G and the hearts Of his counlrymen, Gen. TayIo
\ now holds! Should he return from the fields O
E the Rio Grande and the heights Of the Sierra Ma
!. DIRE, with what affection and respect would he b.
h greeted by men Of all parties! Himself neve
G politician-conent in The quiet discharge o
Y duty and the enjOyments of domestic hle-anc
|. while prompt TO meet the Indian foe, in prair,
Il or everglade, and to stand blythe flag of the coun
S try, when advanced to foreign frontier, yet de
voted as all accounts represent him, to that hom
d and family, in the bosom Of which the interval
of his life, thus far, have passed peacefully ant
! happily-we confess that our impressions OF Gen
Taylor are such, that we should not be surprised
/. if he firmly disregarded every acclamauon whlcl
). connected his name with the Presidency. Shout
he do so, he ieopards nothing OF The presentsprn!
y tide of popular (avor-nay, more, he takes in
slant rank with Washington, as an unconscious
;. but eloquent preacher of the highest potica
n morals. How much more enviabe such dcsti
e ny for the evening Of his days, than to cast III,