The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-06-20
GEN. TAYLoR,s CHARACTER.

bound 10 be" the next president OF The Cni-
ted States. From tie acknowledged hlgh
reputation of The Traveller, its avowed nom
political character. and The marked caution
and strictness of The editors, we have ngn'
10 presume thet the statements are from
responsible source. and entitled TO coincidence
The writer says:-
Gen. TAYLOR is q man Of medium stature,
large frame, with a massive chest and Shout
ders. and though not imposing when on the
ground he appears finely on horseback.
From long exposure 10 the climate OF Florida
and the far South, his complexion is almost
the color of mahogany.-The same cause
has affected his eye sight, and he has formed
The habit of half closing his eyes. He looks,
when not in conversation, as if he was quiz
Zing some one but when engaged in con-
versaron. his eyes sparkle, and his face lights
up with intelligence. He is exceedingly ias-
cinaiing in social life. Plain and unassu-
ming in his appearance and manners, he re-
minds one ETA New Hampshire farmer, who
had seen much, hard toll. He is distinguish
ed for great common sense, for modesIy Ill
the ulterance of his opinions, and great hrm>
ness in adhering 10 that which he concelves
to be right. Some years ago he was called
10 Washington 10 unravel some perplexlng
matters in connection with the Indian Depart
ment He displayed such profound knowl-
edge ofthat whole department, he undld me
knotty questions with such dexteri:y, and DIS
played such strong common sense and prac-
tical wisdom, thai bureau. was offered 10
him in that department, hut declined.
His family relations are honorable-Mrs.
Taylor is one of the most elegant women IN
the army. And that IS great praise; for some
of the most elegant and accomplished ladies IN
the country are united in marriage to the OIL
GERS of the army. She is elegan. in her per-
son and manners a lady of humble, but deci-
ded piety, being member of the Episcopal
Church. His son has recently graduated from
Yale College-His daughter Is distinguished
for accomplishments and beauty. She has de-
clined offers from many officers of the army,
in obedience to the desire of her father, who
does not wish to see her married to SOL
der.
Gen. Taylor is not profane man. He has
been accused of profaneness. Words said to
have been uttered by him on the field Of bat
tie, have gone through the Union, but no one
who knows Gen. Taylor believes such re-
port. Men who have been with him in scenes
the most trying, under circumstances the most
provoking, never heard him utter an oath he
refrains, from principle.
Gen. Taylor was two years in a fort, as the
commander of 1000, many Of whom were a.
mong the worst of the race; in that fort swear
ing was as common as plumes the very NOR
al sense seemed TO demand an oath as test of
gentleman. The chaplain, who was with Gen.
L. during his whole command, and saw him
under circumstances of the greatest provoca-
ton, says he never heard an oath from his lips
His principles and practice in this respect are
known to the whole army.
Gen. Taylor is a strict teetotaller. He con-
forms TO the customs of the army, and keeps
on his sideboa-d such liquors as are drank in
the army bnt he pledges his officers only in
cold water. At the close of parade, il is Ell
headquarters and pay respect to the Com
mander-in- Chief. 1t is etiquette on the part
of the commander 10 allow his officers to drink
his health. 1t has been Gen Taylor's custom
for years 10 pour out his glass of cold water,
and drink the health of his staff in that alone
When he assumed the command effort Jesup,
he found intcmperance to be the prevailing
sin. Whipping, Imprisonment and fines had
been exhausted. 1t was proposed to attempt
to reform the men Gen. Taylor gave the
chaplain his warm cooperation by authority
and example. And all know that in the ar
nv, nothing can be done without the aid Of
the commander. A change was seen at
once; and in less than two years, more
than 600 reformed men marched in process
sion with badges and banners. Some Of them
who joined the army because of their intern
perance, obtained their discharge through
Gen. Taylor, and returned home to their fam
lies sOber mon Some of thar, oro - r,ood
business in Boston at this time
Gen. Taylor is a friend to the Sabbath and
to public worship. You cannot Judge men
severely who are in the hands of committees,
as Gen. Taylor was at New Orleans few
months ago BY such rule j. Q. Adams,
Mr.. Webster, and others, must be set down as
enemies to the Sabbath. A single act, over
which, as public men, they had no control,
must not weigh more than long life. 1t is a
common thing for officers in the army to take
exercise on the Sabbath, by walking or riding
after public worship. During the whole time
he was at fort Jesup, the chaplain SAYS he new
or saw Gen. Taylor riding for exercise, nor so
much as walking before his quarters. He re-
garded the Sabbath as essential to good order
and morals, and he threw the force of his ex-
ample fully in its favor. He was regular and
ueNout at puDnc worship whenever the
chaplain preached, whoever else was absent,
Gen. Taylor was in his place.
In politics, Gen. Taylor is Wing; so he
has ever been regarded. The army is no place
to disguise mans morals-his politics or his
religion. A thousand or sixteen hundred
men continued for years in small fort, will
learn each others opinions. Open and deci-
died. but moderate, Gen. Taylor has always
been known as Wing; some of his staff were
violent politicians, Gen. Twiggs for example
Sitting on log or on camp stool, the poll
ties of the country have been discussed by
Gen. Taylor and his officers. Both Demo
Gratis and Wings have regarded him as a
Wing. The fact that he bore commission
would as soon have been disputed as his posi-
ton in politics. JUSTICE.