Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-09-06
FoR rHE SPECTATOR.
Washington and Taylor-Their Points Of Re-
SembIance


try as empha,ically The Mar of his times. suPpos
no one will doubt. This is particularly and NOR
strikingly the case in every great crisis IN ma
tons history. Men of this cast and character ar,
generally modest and retiring in their department
content with their own resources, and unsOlictous
of outward distinction. Such a man was the great
the good, the gftei WAsHINcroN, whose virtues
were vet shaded by modesty as rare as his en-
dowmens were great and such, we believe, is
Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR, who, in the native ele-
men,s of his character, his stern and uncompromis-
ing integrity, his conscientious and patriotic, and
al the time, transformations devotion TO his du
" and to his country, assimlates him in all the
primary elements of his character, as in the gener
al complexion and coloring of his life, 10 Our
beloved and venerated Washington than any other
living man of the present age. Whether we contem-
plate them at the social board i'm the tented field
! amid the exataons and shouts of victory, OF
calmly surveying the gathering clouds which pre-
cede the shock of battle and the clash of arms-in
the face of superior foes. by force of will all force
of numbers seeming to deiy-working out, by their
own indomitabe spirit, in despite Of the most mad
equate means, the most astounding and heroic re-
sults-gathering hope from despair, and making
the very extremity which threatened disastrous de-
feat the opportunity of victory TO American arms,
and of gratitude and renOwn TO themselves. we can
not but be struck with the moral resemblance be-
tween the hero of Bucna Vista, in the heart of the
enemy's country, in the face of an army twenty
thousand strong, and Washington, when, in the
darkest hour of the Revolution with an army half
clad, and almost ready 10 disband he struck those
desperate blows at Trenton and Princeton which
revived the courage of his troops and gave back to
nation its waning hope. Like Washington,
Taylor too, is modest in his pre,ensiuns, temperate
and selt-denying in his habits. Did Washington,
coveting repose after the tolls of war, and unamb-
tous of power, shrink conscientousy shrink from
the high responsibilities To which nations voice
called him, promising nothing but honest zeal
and integrity Of purpose, while mistrusing the
powers which yet all others trusted? Like him.
Taylor too with the same distinguishing merit and
modesiy, with diflidence submits to have that
greatness thrust upon him which he has never
sought. Was Washington's whole life devoted to
arms, and yet when made the first civil officer of
the nation was he found pacific in his policy, re-
fusing to embroll in the conflicts of Europe as
he had been formidable in battle TO his country's
foes? "My life" says Gen. Taylor, ''has been
devoted to arms yet, look upon war, at all times.
and under all circumstances, as national calamity,
10 be avoided if compatible with national honor
The principles of our government, as well as its
true policy, opposed 10 the subiugaion Of other
nations and the dismemberment of other countries
by conquest. In the language of the great WASH
ington-'Why should we quit our own to stand on
foreign ground p" Like Westinghouse Taylor's
life has been devoted to the service of his country
but, while he has fought her battles, and wreahed
her brow with the laurels of victory, he would ev-
identity prefer seeing her cultivate the arls Of peace
rather than engage in the strife Of arms, and the
conquest of empires.
Let us distinguish them between those brave
and self-sacrfcing spirits who, CALAMITY throwing
themselves into the breach, fight our battles for us,
and the reckless and recreant politicians (or states
men | cannot call them, who make the battles
which they dare not fight; draining the nation of
lis life-blood, and burdening its resources with tax
alton SAL,
General Taylor's position, as an officer Of the
Government and subject TO lis ORDERS left him no
alternative but to obey, could he go behind those
orders to sit in Judgment upon either the principles
policy which dictated them, though it is just as
evident that he is, in feeling and sentiment, OPP
posed both to the principles and policy of the Mex
lean war as it is that he, by his heroic deeds, COW
cred with halo OF glory an administration which
his defeat and the sacrifice of his brave army must
have sunk into the lowest depths of popular odum
and contempt.
in Taylor, then, we have man whose character
and training fit him for every national emergency in
his tastes pacific, but in his capacities emnently
warllke; a man who would "beware of entrance
into quarrel, but being in, would SO bear it that
others should beware Of him." And this is the
man, emphaticaly the man, called for by the Spir-
1t OF the Age, which is one of restless innovation.
or, IT you will have ii, of progressive democracy
of vague, loose, and undefnable ideas which in our
I
sion of the area OF freedom, subversive of all
rule and authority, both human aud divine. A man
who knows, and will know no platform but the
Constitution OF his country, no party but the ma
ton, and who, when he once takes his position
/ ''Ncuer SunTenderS." What more, my country
men, could you ask What more would you have;
In the Constitution OF your country is the palladi-
um OF your liberties. He who is true TO the one
could not be false TO the other. Tayor's life is
his only, his all sufficient pledge. lou could not
have better. In his hands, the flag of your coun-
try has never known dishonor. See him in an en-
emy's country surrounded by embatted hosts al
most without an army, stripped by the government
of his regulars and reduced volunteers, so that
the only alternative left him seems to be either to
retreat or reslgn-then mark the bearing of the
man, and see how his great soul throws eff the
tTammels with which the Lilliputian politicians in
their inv;dous hate, vainy strove to bind it. But
verify, the Nlan is of age, and he shall speak
for himself: This" says he, in letter to his
TREND, may be the last communication YOU will
receive from me. | have been stripped by the GOV
ernmeht Of regular troops and reduced in youn-
teeTs, and, thus stripped and at The mercy of The
foe, have been expected by my country to retreat
or resign. But shall do neither. | care not for
myself, but feel deeply for the noble soldiers who
are about to be sacrificed by their country. We
shall stand and give them battle, relying on Just
Providence for right result" In that letter spoke
forth the man, his generous indifference TO himself
his deep sympathy with his brave soldiers, and yet,
his firm determination, despite his of injury
and wrong. to sustain the honor Of his couniry's
flag, though that flag should prove his winding
sheet in death. He will neither retreat nor resign
No, he will stand and give them bsttlel Then,
and there, his brave soul spoke nor did it speak a
lone; 1t acted, and we know The result. The fame
OF that battle has asonisbcd nations and filled the
world, unsurpassed as it is in the annals Of war.
Such, then, Wings, is your chosen leader. He