Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-06-15
CHARACTER AND OPINIONS
OF GEN. TAYLOR.

Il
We publish once more, below, the somewhat
celebrated letter of General Taylor to Captain
Alison, in which he gives full and explicit a.
vowal of the political sentiments of the writer.
II is but little more than month since we laid
II before our readers, yet we feel fully justified
in thus republshing letter we feel confident so
many will be DESTROYS to read again. The prom
inent position in which he has been placed by
the action of the Philadelphia Convention, i'm
parts n renewed Importance and interest TO
letter. which the writer regards as full aud
authentic expression of his views. The letter
will bear to be read again and again, and the
more its sentiments are weighed and examined
;he more satisfactory, safe, and reliably Wing
will they be found to be. How much the coun-
try would have Seen spared Of sins and suffer-
ngs, had a similar spirit to that which this let
lei breathes, actun,ed the rulers and character
ized the administrations which this country has
endured during the past twenty years. The
views of the writer shown by the letter be-
low, may be summed up in devotion 10 Wing
principles, without being mere partizan--op-
position TO the abuse Of the veto power, and It's
most cautious use only in the most extreme me-
treme Notwithstanding as far as possible
the undue and injurious influence of the Execu-
tive upon the Legislative department of our
government -respect to the wishes of the peo-
and the improvement of our rivers, lakes, and
harbors, as shown in the action of Congress-
profound desire for peace, and opposition to all
wars, il to be avoided with honor, as a national
calamlty-a war OF conquest especially held TO
be contrary TO the principles as well as the true
policy of our government-these are the sound
and excellent views of the writer, frankly and
openly avowed. Are they not sound views, are
they not the views Of the entire Whig party?
Upon one point the letter is silent, and that
point is one in regard to which much interest is
felt at the North. We mean the extension of
Our territory and the spread of human slavery.
We are happily able to supply, if not from the
pen ofGeneral Taylor himself, at least from that
OF one who knows him well, the information we
need upon this important point
Colonel Johnson of Upper Pqua, Ohio, who
was selected by the Wings of Miami, as their
delegate TO the Conventiun-a Staunch, undoubt
ed Whig-who has, in long life devoted to the
cause, done it great service delegate TO iiar-
rlsburg IN 1889 and to Baltimore in 1914, and
who has known General Taylor long and int
nately, writes, in letter before u.s. that he is all
we could desire upon this very, point. lie writes
that he has heard him declare, with much force,
that he regarded slavery as great evil to the
country, and expressed strong hope that the
time might arrive when we could get rid OF il
altogether; and Col. Johnson declares his firm
est conviction that Gen. Taylor " Is The last niu,
to counenance lis being extended 10 anu nero ter
ritory that may be brought into thu Union" In
another part OF this same letter Col. Johnson
says, speaking, be it remembered, from his own
personal knowledge, and after an acquaintance
of over thirty years:
"There are many strong reason for preferrlng
General Taylor at this time, for the Presidency.
lie is of mature years, ana in the enjoyment OF
largely endowed with good common sense, q
kind and affechonate husband, father friend and
neighbor-the idol of his subordinates in the
service, beloved by all who have ever known
him. believe his private character to be with
out reproach and all that can be said pro or con
it is no bad recommendation for public trust
tina. man in all the realities of private life has
fulfilled the law OF love, done justly, loved mercy
and walked humbly.
"a popularity thus acquired cannot be easily
set aside. The affections of the people will fol
low and cling to such man, and who can blame
them for so doing. They loved Washington 70
similar traits of character, and although shoul,
be 10th 10 compare any mortal man throughout It
him, still think there is strong resemblance il
their private and public lives
say in the sincerity Of my heart, to all on
friends in and out of the Convention if you wan
10 succeed in the approaching contest, take Tay
Tor for your standard-bearer; he is emphalcall!
the man for the times and the people. If elected
he will 60 into power untranmeled verify be
1ieve that among all the great and good me
that have been named for the Presidency, he ca
do more in uniting and harnonzing the peopl
OF the various section of the Union than any
them"
Let it be remembered, these are not the in
terested adulations Of mere ADVENTURE, or tn
exuberance Of unrehectug YOUTH but the una
tured and sober convictions of age and exper
cnce, obtained by long acquaintance, and whic
derive additional weight from The known polt
cal Integrity, the tried services, and the patrlo
ic devotion TO Wing principles of the writer.
But we will no longer detaln our readers iro
the letter Of Gen. Taylor himself:
Baton ROUGE, April %, lSi8
Dear Sir My opinions have recently been S
often misconceved and mlsrepresented, that
deem It due to myself if not TO my friends,
make a brief exposition of them upon the topit
10 which you have called my attention.
have consented to the use Of my name as
candidate for the Presidency. | have frank
upewed my own dstrust Of my fitness for tn
high station but having at the solicitation OF II
countrymen, taken my position as candidate
do not feel at liberty 10 surrender the posltlt
| until my friends manifest wish that shou
retire from it. | will then most gladly do So
p'SNS
ty purposes TO build up, no enemies to punish
nothing 10 serve but my country.
have been very often addressed by lctt'
and my opinions have been asked upon almc
every question that might occur 10 the write
affecting the interests of their country or thu
party. have not always responded TO these
qurles, for various reasons.
| confess, whilst | have great cardinal prin'
Piles which will regulate my political life, q
not sufficiently familiar with all the minute
tails of political legislation 10 give solemn pie
es to exert my influence, if | were President,
carry out this or defeat that measure. ! have
concealment. have no opinion which wor
not readily proclaim TO my assembled COUNT
men; but crude impressions upon matters
policy, which may be night TO day and wro
Tomorrow, are, perhaps, not the best test OF
ness for office. One who cannot DC trusted wi
out pledges, cannot be confded in merely
account of them. proceed, however, now
respond 10 your inquiries.
Eust-l reterale what ! have often said
am Wing, but not an ultra Wing. II cleo
would nc! be the mere President Of pal
would endeavor to act independent OF pa
domination. | should feel bound TO admins
the Government untrammeed by party schem
Second--The veto power. The power GU
by the constitution to the Executive TO nteTp