Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-03-02
From the New York journal of Commerce.

GEN. TAYLoR.-Under all the circumstance,
the advent of such a man as Gen. TAYLOR can
not but be hailed with universal joy. 1t is not
for his military prowess chiefly that the people
admire and love him. 1t is rather, that he is
the friend of peace; though if war is his duty,
firm as a mountain, and terrible as a tempest.
1t is not that his garments are crimson with
blood, but that he has ever been careful o flie,
and never shed one drop of human blood in
passion, or TO crafty any selfish feeling. The
people admire him because he is wise, saga
cious. independent, modest, careless ~ofhimself,
and careful only of his duty. His career as a
military commander has served merely to ex-
hibit the great qualities of his mind and heart.
Other military men may have exhibited equal
skill and courage in command, and yet no 9TH
er has attracted such deep affection. Too many
military men seem to think too much of them
selves. They fight for their own glory in gen.
eral. and admiration. But Gen. Taylor is adj
mifed because he never seems to do anything
for himself. He does not speak of himself, nor
seem to think of himself. The anecdotes told
about him are greatful to the feelings of the
people.
A gentleman of our acquaintance was tray
elling soon after the Florida war was finished
and fell in with a Col. Taylor, who seemed to
be a very sensible farmer. No topic could be
introduced but Col. Tay lor seemed to know
all about it. But our friend had been familiar
with Col. Taylor for weeks before he learned
that his associate was a veritable colonel IN
the service of the United States. Col. Taylor
never seemed to think of himself, and never
told what he had done, but was very interest
ing in his statements of what Others had done.
His military dispatches will never cease to be
admired as models of graphic description and
modest eloquence. His letter to the Secretary
of War, just drawn out BY the call of Congress,
will always be praised for its undisturbed dig
nifty in the midst of circumstances which
would have unsettled the elf-possession of al
most any other man. His life is quite remark
able as a whole. He seems TO have been sue
cessful in everything. yet never exhibiting ex-
~ultation. Not one bad deed is attributed to
him; temperate, social, friendly, and judicious,
he is never in difficulty. A gentleman who
sat al the table with him at the ST. Charles du-
ring his late visit to New Orleans, where the
wine flew merrily round every day, says that
the General lifted a glass to his lips but once,
and then he did not drink. All his opinions ex-
pressed to the Administrator have been not
only the opinions of d skilful captain but of a
profound statesman. If you are determined to
maintain the Rio Grande as the boundary of
Texas, said he: | recommend the establishment
of a post on its eastern bank. When the Mex
leans, contrary TO all expectation, came over
llhot iiNci; liz dShSu that llIo ND army IllSul
be reinforced with five thousand men, never
dreaming of invading Mexico. What would
the President not give now ifhe had done on
Ly what Gen. Gen. Taylor recommended?
The manner in which he treats the new hon.
ors which are rendered him, is in keeping with
his whole life. He will not seek the PresideE-
cy. He will not accept the nomination or
support of any party as such. He will not
pledge himself to any yarly, old or new. He
will not send out letters to lure votes. He will
do nothing and be nothing but a good President
if the people choose to have itso. There is all
irresistible charm about all this, especially
when contrasted with the game so much play
ed heretofore. The people will not vote for
him because they dislike him less than his OPP
ponent, but because they love him personally.
Their votes will be for Gen. Taylor, not against
any one else. When he is chosen, he will not
be obliged 10 adopt the crude program Of a
nominating convention as his basis of admin
i~stration. He will be a wise, benevolent, in
dependent President of the ration. Let US
make him that, and the Republic will fall into
the track of her destiny again.