The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-07-04


the history OF the party, and that they involve
alike an abandonment OF its principles and usages,
disregard OF the merits and services of its we'll
known and long trusted leaders, and the surrender
to exterior dictation of all discretionary authority
in the Convention to deliberate and act for ITSELF
Absaining from the performance OF its manifest
duty, by nominating as candidate for the Pfesi-
dency, some universally recognized and approx
ed Wing, that Convention has resorted to the
suicidal policy OF endorsing nomination previ-
ously made by organizations and anomalous as
senblages having no political sympathy with the
Wing cause.
Ofthe candidate thus adopted, it were, under
ordinary circumstances, enough to state, in OBJ
jecting to him, that he had explicitly refused to
be considered " an exponent CT the doctrines Of
the Wing party and that he was known to be un-
willing to accepta Wing nomination on the only
terms, to which, in reference to any other can
didate, the party would accede. But it is not
under ordinary circumstances, or in conformity
to an usual course of proceeding, solely for
the sake of aiding the legitimate objects of the
Wing party, that General Taylor has been en-
abled to attain the position, in which it is claim
ed for hin, that he is entitled to their surages So
extraordinary aresult has been Of course brought
about under extraordinary circumstances, by the
use of extraordinary means, and for the promo.
ton of an end which ought now to be considered
and exposed.
Surprising as is the fact it's nevertheless true,
that, except for the distinction acquired by his
military services in the Mexican War, General
Taylor would have been at this moment man
unknown to the country. His life spent in the
ordinary routine Of soldiers duties, and diyersi-
fed only by the usual Incidents OF frontier en-
campment and Indian warfare, had passed its
meridian without gaining for him any celebrity,
when it fell to his lot to become the conspicuous
agent in shedding the first blood. and winning
the earliest victories ofthe Mexican War. That,
in a few coflicts with an enemy of superior num-
bers but inferior armament and discipline, he ex-
hibited personal courage and military skill, and
that, through the impression produced by these
exploits, he was enabled to excite an interestin
the war, and asympathy with those engagedin
it, which would not otherwise have been mani.
tested, and also to make the war effectual for its
destestable purposes of conquest and aggrandize-
ment, are facts Of which he is entitled to theiust
credit, sohdteoer that may be. With the aid OF
such circumstances, it was easy process to
make OF him at once popular favorite and,
amidst the enthusiasm of the moment. the popu-
lar military favorite has been easily transformed
into candidate for the Presidency. hae4s
This sudden and rapid elevation of Gen Tay-
lor may be regarded as phenomenon which has
not before been witnessed in the progress of our
republic There have been other instances OF
the qualification of the popular propensity to hon.
and exat military chieftains; but they have,for
| the most part, been cases, in which the hero has
| had the advantage of some degree of training in
civil as well as military pursuits, or In which he
| and the people have been content that he should
attain subordinate station ,notinvolving any great
responsibility. The case of Gen. Taylor how
/ everAis that Of a successful soldier, whom it is
proposed TO transfer at once from the camp to the
cabinet, and to invest with the highest honors
| and responsibilities Of the government OF this
Al
he has been through lite army offieer in rough
service upon the frontier, or at home "a slavehold.
er upon sugar plantation; that he is a man Of
scany education, wholly destitute of political ex-
i perience, who has never given vote, or perform
ed any civil duty, and who represents himself to
be uniformed, and without an opinion upon the
leading questions, which divide public sentiment
j in relation TO the administration Of the govern
4 ment % 3iae'5A SO 3Hs
There may be no foundation for the suspicion
| that General Taoior has been unduy prompted
by his military fame to aspire To- the rewards Of
political ambition; although 1t is to suppose him
exempt from human infirmity, not to regard him
as in great danger OF yielding to temptation,
which has seldom failed to be irresistible That
none could have been more surprised than him
| self by the form and degree ofthei manifestations
Of public favor, OF which he has been the object,
is made apparent by his acknowledgements and
conducts; and it is compliment to has candor,
which ought not to be withheld, that he mas made
himself the highest authority for declaring his
entire disqualification for the distinction which is
sought for him. Alse@
That the resort to Gen Taylor as a candidate for
| the Presidency, was at first a movement which
seemed scarcely to be seriously undertaken, all
must remember; and it is therefore important
to review the succession OF circumstances, which
has gradually impaired soit SO many elements Of
| probable success.