The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-25

MILITARY CANDIDATES FOX rRkSIDkNCfs
From the day Of the battles Of the RIO Grande,
down to about six months after that Of Buena Wis
ia, military candidates for the Presidency were ia
vorites with the newspaper press, at public meet
ings at spontaneous conventions, in bar rooms, at
cross roads, and in various other spots and places
where the people most do congregatc. The feel
ing in favor of military candidates prevailed even
sometime after the famous battles that were fought
by the American troops, from Vera Cruz to the
city OF Mexico but since the conquest of that
country, we must admit that the favorable impress
sions heretofore existing among the American peo-
pie towards military candidates and military presi
dents, has been recedng, day after day, and week
after week like the ebb tide about the period of full
moon. The brilliant deeds and the unexpected
victories of General Taylor and his army,
created a feeling in the American mind which
shamed the little manpuvres and petty petty
Jogging of politicians at Washington. There
was a nobeness in those deeds which was
felt to b, truth and reality, by every mind,
throughout the republic. General Scott. in his
operations in Mexico, only increased the intensity
Of this general feeling, while it divided the aggre
gate impulse among many. The lawyers and the
statesmen, and the Senators and Office holders In
Washington, were little thought of in the midst of
the effevescence produced by the heroic deeds of
the American generals and the American arms
But, alas change has come over the spirit of
the public dream. The itch of letter writing the
squabbles leading to courts of inquiry and
courts-martial, have thrown such ridicue over
those illustrious names and heroic Deeds that we
very much fear whether the same degree of at
tachment exists towards our military men, which
prevailed in the country two years ago. If any one
of those distinguished leaders, even of a subordi-
nate rank, had made his entrance into any of
our principal cities year ago, no matter who
he was, he would have been received with
guns and trumpets, and rejoicings, and
praise. Now, however, unless there is some
particular sentiment connected with our military
men, they are permitted to pass on their journeys
throughout the country, in quiet and solitude. The
reception of General Taylor in New Orleans, and
that of Gen. Scott on his arrival here only indi-
Gates the accuracy of these views which we here
throw out Our military men have distinguished
themselves beyond ordinary example, and equally
with the highest In any country; but out of the
field of battle they seem to be weak and imbecile,
and unfortunate, in the highest degree. In detail
ing the operations on field of battle, or in making
diePoit " TIC w dl department OI the operations OF
the armies entrusted to their guidance, they seem
to be In their natural vocatons and deserve credit
and respect for the talent disrlayed but when our
military men pass beyond the limit of their profess
sion, and endeavor to wander among the inequal-
tiles of politics, or political ambition, they become
children second time, and seem to be just as
wild and incoherent as boys let loose from school,
Yet with all these drawbacks on the wisdom
and discretion of our military men, out of their
particular profession, should not be surprised to
see some one Of them nominated for the Presidency
by one of the great parties; should we be more
surprised, to him elected for hat Office in spite
OF the weaknesses that he may show in other res
poets, out of his own line. Every one must have
hasty plate Of soup some time or other.