Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-08-26


Character Of Gen, Taylor.
Tho following letter wss written by Rev.
Dir. Leatb, BOW pastor Of an orthodox
EAsrch In Worcester county IL was adj
dressed to, Des.Joseph White Of w inchess-
des, Who gave il TO the public sbroogis the
cnscrlns of the Worcester Egis- What
hesses evidence can We have Of the pure
and losiy character Of Gen. Tayspss II Is
not the testimony Of politician OF q man
eager for tho 'spoiis,' hut Of a faithful min
i=ter Of the gospel, in behalf Of an esteemed
and loved friend:
-, June, 1913.
Ssr:--You are, no doubt, aware that
held the Office OF Chaplain in the United
States Army about six years, being station
ed at Fort Jes>up, La, aud that which at
the extreme southern post was in daily ac-
aunintarce with Brigadier Gen. u. Taylor.
presume il 10 on this occoant that you
pxot,use To- me some questions touching the
views Of that distinguished Individual. /
am willing tn reply, not because am pol
isieiau or have any personal interest ia his
nomiration for the Presidcncy--but because
I ann laid under The lasting obligations to
that honest, noble hearted maitland
would gladly correct some of the gross mis-
takes that are afoat concerning his chassc-
ter.
Ia politics Gen. Taylor Is Whig--in re-
Hgion strictly onTHoDox--hut in neither is
be extreme, maintaining his we'll formed o.
p;niorp with the calm decision which he
manifested on the field Of batrIe.
With regard to slavery, and extension OF
Territory, J assure yea That neither for
slave market nor any other object was Gen.
Taylor in favor of conquest and annexation.
He ives not in favor Of receiving Texas in-
10 our union nor in favor of the recent war
with Mexico. The only evidence of his
being in favor of slavery that ever saw or
heard of, was the fact, that he did what ev-
cry man at the South must do, il he must
have servants, viz: either own or hire slaves.
I do well remember that part AZ least of
the coiored people living IN his family could
read well and were very pIous. never
heard a word from the General IN favor of
ths slave system, hut on the contrary his de-
rided preference for the institutions and cus-
toms Of the North.
II Is n pity that Gen. TAYLOR should be
made pro-siayery man because bis gov
eminent keeps him NJ The South, or for the /
wrong of allowing hi@ plantation TO he on
the Mississippi, instead Of the hanks of the
Connecticut. We arc allowed 10 hang no
man upon an inference.
I assure you, TINT if elected, he will do
more for PEACE aud EMAEcIPATIoS than any
northern man wouid he allowed to.
Gen. Taylor maintains on all occasions
the habit of TOTAL ABSTINENCE from all in
toxicating drink<--and to this he has ascrib-
ell his robust health amidst the swamps aud
campaigns Of Florida and Mexico. ! would
also assure YOU, that nothing coull he more
unjust aud untrue than the assertion that he |
is profanc mau-it is false altogether. He
Is bright exception Ia the common practice |
Of profaneness in the army.
Gen. Taylor IL the decided friend of
Christianity, and Christian institutions. He
was a regular attendant of public worship
In the garrison, accompanied by his accom-
pli-hed lady and daughter.
Mrs. Taylor is lady Of fine appearance
and agreeable manners, and consistent
professor of religion. As u family they APP
peared To observe the Sabbath as religious
duty.
The General took deep interest in the
welfare of all under his command No man
ever had the confidence of troops more than
he-aud il was not his courage, kindness,
and discipline alone--hut his interest ia the
temporal and spiritual welfare at the men,
that cudeared him To the army. OF the more
than six hundred men--retormed drunkards
once at For, Jessup-allowed the benefit
Of the library, reading room, aud every
privilege consistent with military life--many
obtained their discharge before entering
Texas, and returned TO their friends and
homes, and these, with all that shared with
their commander in conflict aud victory, will
ever REMEMBER hin and LOVE niN.
Yours truly, -.