Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-09-21
Jacob Barker on General Taylor
Election.
Ncm York, 5M Sept, 1915.

Mem York, Jh Sept, lsiS.
JAMES GoRuoN BENSETT, Esq.
Dear Sm,--You ask what will he the course
of the original Southern friends Of Gen. Tay-
Tor. in relation to the election Of Mr. Fillmore
! | answer that they will support him with the
same fidelity that tney do the hero of Bucna
| Vista. They nominated Gen. Taylor from an
earnes, desire for peace with Mexico, and from
a conviction hat vigorous prosecution OF the
war was the best in fact, the only way to
procure an honorable peace. To promote that
object, together with wholesome restraint on
the exercise of the veto power, and reforma-
tion in the administration Of the hnancies OF the
nation, they wished to see Gen. Taylor elect
ed and they fondly hopedy from his peculiar
fitness for the station, that the Baltimore, as
well as the Philadelphia Convention, would
have concurred in his nomination. The Balti-
more Convention preferred another; we there
fore owe them nothing. The Philadelphia
Convention confirmed our nomination, superad-
ding that of Mr.. Fillmore for tho Vice Presi-
dency. This was fair compromise; it, there
fore behooves us to support Mr.. Fillmore with
the same fidelity we expect his friends to sup
port Gen. TAYLOR, and we shall faithfully per-
form soch duty, without stopping to inquire
how far others may act with the same good
faith. All should remember that every institu-
ton Of society, and particularly the constitu-
ton of the United States, is the result Of COM
PROMISE Gen. Taylor stands before the pub
lie committed TO leave all matters Of national
policy to the decision of the peoples immedi-
ate representatives. No man acquainted with
the General, will doubt as to his carrying out
that opinion To the letter. lie is honest,
prompt intelligent, and highly qualified to dis
charge the duties Of the Presidency Not 50
familiar with diplomacy as Mr.. Clay or Mr..
Webster, and those gentlemen may vainly i'm
agine these qualifications essential for cand-
date for the Presidency, the people believe
that other qualifications possessed by General
Taylor, and not by these other gentlemen, are
quite as important.
General Washington and General Jackson
we're both Of the army, and they administered
the executive department quite as well as Mr..
| Tyler 90 Mr.. Polk, who were not of the army.
The original friends of Gen. Taylor considered
his past life sufficient pledge for the future,
and so far from wishing him to wear their liy-
cry, or pledge himself TO any course, they be-
lieve 1t to be far more important To him to ad-
here to the independent position he originally
assumed. than TO be elected President of the
United States Should he b. elected, the peo-
\ pie will have President free to act according
To his best judgement, unlnfuenced by party
pledges or kitchen cabinet.
| Il ls admitted at the South as well as al the
North. that slavery and wars are great curses /:
in this sentiment General Taylor participates.
His friends do not approve Of any attempt 10
detract from the merit of his opponents They
think f,yorably of their candidates and thai
either Gen. Cass or Mr.. Van Burcn would
make good President II elected. They con.
sdcr General Taylor preferable, and most like
" n sfminis'cr the government IN accordance
with tbs rIshss Of 'iis nhols people. Yet, Il