The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-20
More Of Major General Taylor's Political
Letters.
TO SOME GENTLEMAN UNKNOWN.

More of Major General TayIor's Political
Letters.
TO SOME GENTLEMAN UNKNOWN.
HEADQUARTERS. ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey, May ~, lSi7.
DEAR SIR,-lt is with much pleasure that ! ac-
knowledge the receipt OF your most interesting
letter of the LIST inst, and to which desire to re-
ply in terms more expressive of my thanks to you
for your kind consideration for myself, and yet
more so of my high appreciation of the upright and
patriotic sentiments which are the principal tenor
of your letter; but | am burdened with official
duties, and, at this moment, with many letters
from distant sources. which require attention, and
will necessarily oblige me to reply to you in few
lines.
The Presidential office presents no inducements
to me to seek Its honors or responsibilities; the
tranquility of private life, on the contrary, is the
great object OF my aspirations the conclusion of
the war--but am not nsenslble to the persuaslons
that my services are yet due to the country, the
country shall see tit to command them; if, still as
soldier, am satisfied; if in higher and more re-
ssponslble duties, desire not to oppose the mani
fest wish of the people-but will not be the can
ddate OF any party or party Clique; and, should the
nation at large seek to place me in the chair OF
chief maglstracy, the good of all parties and ma
tional good would be my great and absorbing aim.
Sentiments such as these have been the burden
of my replies to all who have addressed me on
this subject expressing the assurance that by the
spontaneous and unanimous voice of the people
alone, and from no agency of my own, can be
Withdrawn from the cherished hopes ofprivate re-
| tirement and tranquility when peace shall return.
Please accept, with this, my. brief. reply, the
warm appreciation and high consideration of
Yours, most sincerely, u. TAYLOR,
Major Gen. IT, s. A.
TO DR.. C. l.. WILCOX AND OTHERS.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey, Mexico, :
July 20, 1917.
DEAR SIR have the honor to acknowledge the
e l.. r.
has Just reached me, accompanied by certain re-
solutions entered into by democratic meeting of
my fellow-citi2ens OF Gainesville, Tennessee, on
the 9TH OF June last IN relation to certain important
matters and principles connected with the manage
ment OF our national affairs, desiring to know my
views and opinions in regard to the same, as they
might have an important bearing on their course,
should my name be before the country as candi-
date for the Presidency at the coming election,
which must beg leave to decline doing; for even
If disposed to do so, cannot spare the time from
my official duties to devote to the investigation of
those subjects which their Importance seems to re-
quire, to enable me to reply to them in way that
would be satisfactory to myself, much less so to
in this instance, what have stated to others on
like occasions, which Is, that am no politician
near forty years of my life having been passed in
the military service of the republic, most of which
in the field, the camp, on western frontier, or
in the Indian territory; and | may say, with great
proprety, tor the most part constantly on duty; the
last two In Mexico, or on Its immediate borders,
during which have not passed one night under
the root OF house. You may, therefore, readily
suppose, under such circumstances, have had but
little time to devote to the consideration or nves-
ugatlon of important political matters or to their
discussion; nor have attempted to do so, or been
mixed up with political men or matters in any way,
not even having voted for one of our chief magis-
rates any else since / have been in the
public service, having been stationed or serving,
for the most part beyond the limits of the States.
| can say in all sincerity have no aspirations
for the Presidency; and if | am candidate, or to
be one, it must be recollected am or will be made
so by others, and byno agency OF mine In the mat
ter. Under this state of things, should a majority
OF the good people OF our country think proper to
elevate to the first office in their gift, or may
say the first in the world, will feel bound to serve
them, and will do so honestly and faithfully, to
the best of my abilities, strictly in conformity to
the provisions OF the constitution, as near as pos
sibe In the way 1t WAS acted on and construed by
our Presidents, two of whom at least participated
in creating and putting In operation that glorious
instrument. But many important changes ~ eur
affairs at home and abroad may take plSace aesWeen
this and the time for holding the skcc,sen Tor 6I''
said Office so much so, aa 10 make It dec i'fs
the general good thaS some lndivi' -.faole el lof
myself should 20 selected as candidate for that
tLat'IwouIT Weld -; elected, will not say
guished nos,t;, my pretensions to that distln-
hye anvb woud nc" not "n Eany
pleasure In such an arrangement, but would
rejoice that the republic had one citizen more
worthy and better qualified than | am and no
doubt there thousands, to discharge the ardu-
Gus and important duties apperanng to that high
ONCE. BE this as 1t may, should ever occupy
The White House, it must be by the spontaneous
move OF the people, and by no act of mine, so that
could enter on the duties appertaInlng TO the
Chief Magistrate of the country untrammelled and
unpedged beyond what have previously stated as
regards the constitution so that could and would
be President of the nation. and not of party.
For the interest you and other kind friends OF
the committee, and those you and they represent,
take IN my continued success against the enemy
while this war continues, which | sincerely hope
will soon be brought to an honorable close, well
as fear for the too fatenng manner you nave
been pleased to connect my name with the dlstin-
guIshed office In question, and especially tor the
handsome and complimentary terms In which they
have been communicated, duly appreciated
and for which beg leave to tender to you, and
through you to the gentlemen of the committee,
collectively and individually, my most cordial
thanks for the same.
With considerations OF the highest respect and
esteem, remain, gentlemen,
Your obedient and devoted servant,
Il. TAYLOR,
Major General U. S. Army.
To DR.. G.. l.. WILCOX and others, of committee.
TO WILLIAM DOCK, ESQ.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp near Monterey, Aug. 2, lofS =
Dear Sir: Your letter enclosing TO me copy OF
the proceedings of the Democratic meeting held al
Harrisburg, Pa, In which find myself nominated
with so much honor for the Presidency, has been
received. This evidence of the high and fatterng
regard of so many of my friends OF the keystone
State, is assure YOU, most feelingly appreciated.
I L. g ho ~ n