Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-09-26

lie il not man cf many words; iais may
result in part from the fact that he has slight
impediment in his uiterancc, Otis very slight,
howcver:) but more ] spprehend, from the
natural modesty Of his disposition. tie
man Of thought and action. rather than o'
speech When. however. he does SPEAK, ne
expresses himself in words. weIlchosen, and
always 10 The point. In familiar intercourse
of private friendship he is less reserved, and,
in such circumstances. his character will be
most highly appreciated.
As to his intellectual powers. it is far a.
bove the common order. Its distinguishing
Characteristic Is sound judgment should
not deem it either brilliant or rapid IN its ex-
ercise, but il is acute aud discriminating
OF all the men whom have known, none
has been more conspicuous than Gen. Taylor
for "doiug his own thinking" Possessed oil
strong clear head, he reasons himself into
conclusions, and they are invariably marked
by good practical common sense. You VIII
naturally inquire what are bis attainments;
how far he has furnished himselfwith mater
ial Tor thought And here again las in the
case OF his manners) great mistake prevails.
General Taylor possesses far more iniorma-
ton, derived from actual study, than hundreds
OF those who write dispsragingy OF his un-
NdDtltIEs MS StuIite INV VIth NhhthF
in history. | have been told by some OF his
officers who served him for years on our Yves
tern frontier. that all his leisure there was
devoted reading history; and that the history
OF our own country had received his particular
attention: this believe is true. lremember
having seen, some waeks ago, a newspaper
paragraph, in which the writer traced.a resenI-
blance 10 Washington in General Taylor. l
was not award that such resemblance had
occurred 10 others, bat it had made a strong
impression upon me long ago. The truth Is
that General Taylor long siuce fixed his eyes
on General Washington as the model OF all
that was truly great and good: he has studird
his character thoroughly, and doubt III there
be an incidents oil Washington's life, with
which he is not familiar. He certainly is like
him in possession OF the same calm, deliberate
exercise Of judgment, and the same iniiex:-
Bile inteiity Of purpose. never knew man
whom believed, in the broadcast sense OF the
word, to be Aore perfectly honest than Gene
raj Taylor.
While on the subject OF his understanding
am reminded of the statements made in some
OF the papers 44s---ofen. Taylors dispatches
were not written BY himself. To me such
statement is ridiculous; and those who make
II must be sadly ignorant Of both the chardc-
ter aud mind OF Gen. Taylor. Rest assured
that he is quite equal to the production Of all
the official reports TO which his name isa,-
tached; and in this State there is abundant
evidence Of the fact to be found 10 numerous
private letters which were unquestionably
written by him.
There is one trait Of character. which, il
not regulated by fairness and good sense, may
easily become striking defect in any man.
II from any cause Gen. Taylor should err,
think it would probably be from this. al
Jude to the tenacity with which minds that
can calmly think themselves into opinions
adhere TO the deliberate conclusions they
have formed. The tenacity may become
mere obstinacy.
have no right TO say. from experience or
observation, that Gen. Taylor would thus err.
But til is much can affirm: that no mere per-
suasion or entreaty OF friends, and no abuse or.
TIN eats OF foes, will induce him to swerye
from his settled convictions OF what is right,
or in other words, OF what Is bis duty. Rea-
son builds his convictions up; nothing but
reason will take them down. II convinced
that he is wrong. believe him TO be honest
enough TO say 50. and to act accordingly.
In domestic life and its varied duties Gen
Taylor shines pre- eminently; and to sum up
my opinion of him in few words, he is an
unpre tending, straight forward, strong minded
warm hearted, truthful, and honest man; and
whether he be made President or not, will
not affect my opinion: to me he will be, as
he always has been. upright ZACHARY. TAY-
LoR. Yours, truly.