Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-09-07

bles in all the great traits of his character, ha.
occupied such high ground and stood upon
political elevation SO lofty and 50 dignifed as
that which General Taylor now commands
With character, both public and private, ST
pure and iTeproachabe that no sharp-sightec
pollticsf opponent has yet been able 10 point to
single dark spot on the whole Of It's bright
dsk-with a universally acknowledged reputa.
ton for high integrity and chiyalrOus honor,
which, like the arnor Of Achilles is impenetra-
bic To hostile assault from lance or dart--know-
inc no political CREED, but the Constitution
OF his country, and determined TO be guided by
the bright example and steer the ship by the
safe chart furnished by the administration OF
Washington, he says -" | frankly owN my
own DIsTRusT Of my fitness for that high sta
ton. shall engage in no schemes-no com
hnaiions, no intrlgucs to obtain IL. ] am a
VINO. But, if elected, would not be the
mere President of party. would eudeavor
to act Independent of party domination.
should feel bound 10 administer the government
untrammclled by party schemes ] have no
party purposes TO accomplishing party pro
lecis to build up-no enemies 10 pun!sh-nOth'
ing to serve but my country"
II has been objected, by his politcalo opponents
that General Taylor is not learned man, and
las modestly expressed diiidencs OF his own
abilities to fill the high office Of President of
of the United States. That he never gradual
ed at any College, is readily admitted. But
that he is one Of the best informed and best
read men in the United States, we have the
testimony Of the Hon. Senator Crttendcn, who
has known him long and intimately, for assert
ing. His official letters have been admired
in this country and i'll Europe, as models Of a
condensed, elegant and peTspicuous style.
General Gibson Of ashlngton, who has been
some forty years in the army with him, SAYS
that he has been on seventeen courts martial
with General Taylor, In many OF which ques-
tions arose of great importance to the army
and the country, and in every Instance, the
Court, although there were frequently other
members Of it, possessing high character ior
ripe scholarship, have selected him 10 draw up
the report and reasons Of the Court because he
was always considered the best qualified among
them to do that duty The Hon. John e..
Spencer, one of the best scholars az we'll as
one of the ablest men in the United States, also
hears high testimony to the ability and uniform
ly elegant style of General Taylor commun-
cations with the War Department while he
was at the head Of it.
The common sense Of mankind have long
since detected he difference between knowe lge
an wisdom The American people have not
good opportunities to learn the distinction by
several signal examples IN our political history.
Colonel Aaron Burr was very learned man--
most polished scholar, and an accomplished
orator which, according 10 high, ancient authori-
ty, should comprehend all know ledge. VAST
mgioH, though making no pretensiOns TO great
erudlilon, was man of acknowledged practical
wisdom. Martin Van Buren, aud Lewis Cass
are, unqucstionablv, very astute, cunning, and
learned men. General Taylor Is a Grave,
honest, patriotic, wise man. Yet who, among
all the plain, honesty ycomanry of this great
republic, would not prefer to rely for a success
ful administration Of The general government.
upon the great qualities Of wisdom, justice
humanity and moral as well as physi-
cal, courage, possesses by General Taylor,
rather than upon the scholastic learning the
Janus. faced duplcity and the cunning aud cor
rup' political adrUltness Of those two beautiful
pattern cards of " Northern men, with Southern
-
1t is true that General Taylor has, with that
modcsty which accompanies real merit, express
ed a sincere dlflidepce Of his own qualifications
for the high office to which his conntrymcn
are abou, to call him This however, instead
of losscniDg the pueiic respect and confidence,
has very Justly served to increase the general
entertained of his real character.
II adds another to the many points of striking
resemblance between him and President Wash
ing,on. who in his inaugural address, said
"The magnitude and difficulty of the trust
to which the voice of my country called me,
being sufficient 10 awaken IN the wlscst and
most experienced of her citizens a dlstrusful
scrutiny into his qualifications, could not but
oyerw helm with despondency one, who, IN.
kcriling inferior endowments from nature, and
unpraclised IN the duties ofclyll administration,
ought to be peculiarly conscious Of his own
The people have made up thc1 minds that
General Taylor shall be their next President.
They have full confidence that he VII make
good President, They have watched his pub
lie career with no small degree of interest.
They have looked into his public and private
with no small degree of satisfaction.
They know his whole history by heart. Yet
after all that has been said and sung Of his
merits, as a soldier and man, the ar, u nent,
which makes most in his favor--the great mo-
tive power. which is bearing him on in trumI h
over all oppusltlon-ls the ConylctlOn-strongly
rooted, iIrcpressiblc aud forever operating,
down deep IN the hearts of the pcoplc-tiat
General Taylor is an honest, true and patriotic
man \ strong and abiding fdih has sunk
deep in the popular mind, that the man who
has studied the Constitution OF his country by
the watclftcs Of the camp, and who, after
hard battles fought and won, with his head
plowed upon the cold ground, has reflected
long, while others slept, upon the priceless
value of our National Union aud upon the
proud and glorious destiny, which. If her sons
are but true to her, awaits this great and free
Republic will not be very likely TO sophisllca,e
aud pervorl the provisions of the one. or be
found wanting IN his attachment and duty to-
the Others. Senator Mangum of North Caro-
lima, one of the ablest and most accomplished
among all the ablest aud most accomplished
among all the great statesmen Of this country,
IN a recent speech in the Senate Of the nited
States. with his usual good sense, remarked
"If have learned anything IN public lfe.
II is that pure intentions and SINGLE rindcdncsS
with a sirong rood sns1, are worth moio than
the most splendid abilities and the largest oh-
perlence lr,fhom them. IL would be sad were
Il otherwise. lie who seeks what ie right aud
seeks il with singlcnees Of mind will rarely
miss IL. Whist care I whether General Taylor
canno, play al . game Of sophisms With expsrt
- a.,,o,,v. r,olthcal dialerttctsp.f "a hatl