The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-08-01
THE CHARACTER AND QUALITIES OF
GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR

liant writer, A. T.. Bullitt, oil New Orleans.-l
The delineation of the character of the noble
Hero, is drawn with consummate justice,
skill and effect, displaying on the part of the
writer unsurpassed powers Of discrimination
and analysis The Hero and his delineatorare
equally happy in one another. In adopting
the sentiments of our friend Bullitt, com
mend them TO the consideration Of every rea-
der. What American does not feel proud in
contemplating the characteristics of such man
as Zachary Taylor, and calling him his coun-
tyman.
This admirable portraiture was produced as
the preamble 10 the constitution of a Rough &
Ready Club in n. Orleans:
"A careful survey of the career OF Gen. z.
Taylor, and an intimate knowledge Of his great
private worth, have convinced the undersign-
I'd that he possesses in an eminent degree the
qualifications which befit him for the Chief
Magistracy Of this Union. This opinion is
not formed solely upon isolated instances OF
heroic and brilliant valor. it is based upon the
Developments Of a series OF public services,
which have unfolded character perfect in all
its parts and equal to any occasion His ear
Iy youth was distinguished by the defence OF
Fort Harrison, in which he exhibited daring
and enduring courage which commanded the
applause Of the country, and extorted from his
Government the first brevet issued during the
last war. The history OF the times bear tes;i
mony to the resources Of the youthful soldier,
whose presence of mind never forsook him in
dangers which would hare daunted courage
that was not sustained BY firm and determin-
ed temper.
THAT peculiar quality ofGen. Taylor's mind
which preserved the garrison at Fort Harrison
ed occasions. 1t is a solidty of disposition
which no perils can appal. and no exigencies
undermine. Always bold but never rash, he
can neither be surprised into timid action,
nor fretted into an unwise one. Here we have
the basis Of his exalted character.
cit is needless TO recur to more recent events
to find examplifcations of this principal in
gredient Of his nature. A brief notice OF
! come Of the striking events of the war, will
display ihe,superstructure erected upon so broad
and so frma foundation. In the distribution
of his forces, from his departure from Fort
Brown, proceeding the battles Of Palo Alto TO
Resaca de la Palma, to the closing scenes OF
Bucna Vista it has been universally conceded
that he never made a single mistake. The
very best man for a special duty was assigned
to that duty. In no instance did his judgms nj
err. He evinced knowledge OF men which
NEITHER prejudice nor partiality could sway
This is one of the highest attributes OF an ex-
: Iecutive offcc:-one most tasked in Chief
Magistrate Of the Republic, and which gives
assurance of the proper conduct OF public at
fairs.
''Not only was this extraordinary knowledge
lof men evinced throughout his camp; iyns, bu
his Justice and self-denial was no less striking
II is known that between him and some o.
his officers there had grown up feud, arising
out Of jealousies on their part not on his
But Notwithstanding this, when the day Of tri-
al cam, he selected those best adapted TO
them, assigning to duties of glorious enterprise
even those who had spoken of him despiteful-
ly. He does not permit his private wrongs
to interfere with his public duties, and sup
pressed every feeling but that of lofty, disin
terested, and sef-sacrficing patriotism. Here
we have examples Of justice and magnanimity
as conspicuous as the evidences of his firmness
y aud forecast.
"Nor did the sights of his Government, the
criticisms of professional politicians, the injus
= lice Of insiduous enemies, once betray him in
: TO al incorporate or unjust act. The harsh
" usages of the Administration, the sudden re-
> duction of his army, tn. captious objections
raised at the capital to his military acts, were
not sufficient 10 sour his temper or turn him
" to the right or to the left of the straight patti
which il became straight forward patriot tC
purpsue. Ii is not necessary TO recapitulate
- the notifications, the disadvantages, the dis
couragements under which he fought the bat
tie Of Buena Vista. Those are familiar as house
!, hold words to the nation. Suffice it to say
that he rose with the occasion. The create
the difficulties which beset him, the greater tin
resources he displayed Privations which
would have embarrassed others made cleare
his judgment. His penetrations saw through
mist which other visions could not pierce
& He gathered strength of responsibilities, AM
,e elacticity from he pressure of accumulatin,
81 perils. This quality was evolved in SO remar
re kable degree. that his soldiers saw safety il
,e the magnitude of the dangers which manace'
=. Them He WAS with them thinking for the n,