The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-03

decide the weighty and iranscendent difficulties which
continually harass the world, and proper settlement
of which the peace and safety OF nations essentially de-
pend. Without adequate qualifications Tor his grea
office, President. however disposed to support what
right and to oppose what is wrong, is always liable to
disastrous blunders his aduous He may mis-
take the public interest, nure The national character
involve his fellow citizens in useless wars, and shateI
the precious institutions of his country In the hope OF
avoiding the evils of ignorance and the responsibilities
they create he would submit to the absolute dicatora
guidance OF plausible creatures behind the President
greater than the President HIMSELF and who would give
false, wicked, and dangerous direction to the gov
eminent yet contemplated by the American people
To these weghy and decisive objections may be added
the kindred ones which arise from the fearful policy OF
raising TO the summit of power soldier who had never
served anywhere but in the armies of his country and
who frankly conesses his total ignorance of civil af-
fairs. Suppose that such sodier-gallant and patriotic
Taylor is-had been placed at the Tulleries when
the quntupe treaty about to be signed by the French
governments how could he have stemmed the swelling
tide of royal lust then burning to embrace the To
have done it, would have needed wiser heads than any
which penned the many contradictory responses to nomi-
nations from every point in the compass of politics.
We agree with experience, that whatever may be the
merits of military hero, who has seen no service but
in the battle -fed, wise people should prefer for the
highest political office the claims of statesmen disn-
gushed and endeared by long, faithful and successful
administration of national affairs; that hasty popu
lanty from the lustre of can lessen the impor.
lance OF knowledge experience and abilities in the try
ing exgences OF national travail that ii civil services
in the highest stations of public life shall pass without
the cownng recompense of the people, the tide of power
will fall in the cabinet it rises in the camp, till reason
will succumb to force, and struggles for executive con-
troll be wholly confined to leaders in war;
Far be il from the judgment of our minds, or the in
cnaon OF our hearts, to dsparage the distinguished ser
vices of General Taylor. His glory will endure while
the Grande pays its tribute to the He has patent
of royalty to support his fame He stands the Rudolph
of his race" and won his emnence by valor in war
Reyes Ell nobiiitae, daees urte sumunt And in the
military station which he graces WELL or in any which
would not expose and imperil the national dignity and
safety, the grateful affections of the country will cluster
around him. ILLUS sgrsgie urttes ciaraqe faea should
desire no higher recompense.
This is not the crisis for doubtful politics and question
able statesmen preside The serpent of ambition has
reared his crest and each rattle which the monster makes
denotes his purpose to spring upon our Union to coil
around the pillar of our edfce, and crumbe it to dust
Even the leader whom we raised so high and whom
often cheered in the paths of glory-et dur, ct prncps
Ell moderator iuminum reliquorum-has fallen from his
sphere Soles occidere ct rcdre possun is the
calculation of defeated ambition. But this law of ma
turehis rising and setting of the heavenly lumnaries
can offer prospect of returning ustre to orb forever
quenched. Yet the genius of Lindenwad gathers sate
lites around him. ready reflect the anticipated gories
his rising sun
We often meet our destiny in the devious paths which
travel to avoid it. And the statesman of Undertook
who went into retirement with amanly grace, will find
deeper shade the journey before him. and gather this
ties where the grew If the ascent to emnence be
slippery and rugged how fearful and unstable must his
reliance be, who would ascend by contrvances too rot
ten to carry him, and mmeasuraby too heavy to be
ried by him Instead of living the grateful memory
of what he was and przing that historic which
lately opened receive him. he barlers his glory for the
chances of office, and discounts his immortality for lit
lie notoriety in hand!
In life's last scenes, what prodigies arise
Fears of the brave, and foies of the wise.