Evansville weekly journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 184?-18??, 1848-08-03
THE CHARACTER AND QUALITIES OF
GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR.

OF Zachary Taylor, is from the pen Of that bril-.
liant writer, A. c. Bullitt, of New Orleans.-t
The delineation of the character of the noble
Hero, is drawn with consummate justice,
skill and effect, displaying on the part of the
writer unsurpassed powers of discrimination
and analysis. The Hero and his delineatorare
equally happy in one another. In adopting
the sentiments of our friend Bullitt, we COM
mend them to the consideration of every rea-
der. What American does not feel proud in
the characterize ics such man
as Zachary Taylor, and calling him his coun-
tryman.
This admirable portraiture was produced as
the preamble TO the constitution of Rough &
Ready Club in n Orl cans:
ga careful survey of the career Of Gen. T.
Taylor, and an intimate knowledge of his great
private worth. have continued the undersign-
ed that he possesses in an eminent degree the
qualifications which befit him for the Chief
Maglstracy of this Union. This opinion is
not formed solely upon isolated instances of
heroic and brilliant valor, it is based upon the
Developments of a series of public services,
which have unfoided character perfect in all
its parts and equal to any occasion. His ear
ly youth was distinguished by the defence OF
Fort Harrison, in which he exhibited daring
and enduring courage which commanded the
applause of the country, and extorted from his
Government the first brevet issued during the
last war. The history of the times bear testi-
mony to the resources of the youthful soldier,
whose presence of mind never forsook him in
dangers which would have daunted courage
that was not sustained by firm and determin-
ed temper.
s'That peculiar quality ofGen. Taylor's mind
which preserved the garrison at Fort Harrison
has been more conspicuous upon more renown-
ed occasions. 1t is solidity of disposition
which no perils can appa. and no exigencies
undermine. Always bold but never rash, he
can neither be surprised into timid action,
nor fretted into all unwise one Here we have
the basis of his exalted character.
sit is needless to recur to more recent events
to find examplifcations of this principal in
gredient of his nature. A brief notice of
some of the striking events of the war, will
display thesuperstructure erected upon SO broad
and so firm foundation. In the distribution
of his forces, from his departure from Fort
Brown, preceding the battles of Palo Alto to
Resaca de la Palma, to the closing scenes of
Buena Vista it:has been universally conceded
that he never made single mistake. The
very best man for special duty was assigned
TO that duty. In no instance did his judgment
err. He evinced knowledge of men which
neither prejudice nor partiality could sway
This is one of the highest attributes of an ex-
ecutive office:-one most tasked in a Chief
Magistrate of the Republic, and which gives
assurance of the proper conduct of public az
fairs.
s'Not only was this extraordinary knowledge
of men evinced throughout his campaigns, but
his justice and self-denial was no less striking.
II is known that between him and some OF
his officers there had grown up a feud, arising
out of jealousies on their part not OH his
But notwithstanding this, when the day of tri-
them, assigning to duties of glorious enterprise
even those who had spoken of him despiteful-
| ly. He does not permit his private wrongs
to interfere with his public duties, and sup
pressed every feeling but that of lofty, disin
terested, and self-sacrifcing patriotism. Here
we have examples of justice and magnanimity
as conspicuous as the evidences of his frmness
and forecast.
'Nor did the sights of his Government, the
criticisms of professional politicians, the inius
! tice of insiduous enemies, once betray him in
to an incorporate or unjust act. The harsh
usages of the Administration, the sudden re-
duction of his army, the captious objectio n.
raised at the capital to his military acts, were
not sufficient to sour his temper or turn him
to the right or to the left of the straight path
which it became straight forward patriot Il
Ipurpsue. II is not necessary to recapituatt
the notifications, the disadvantages, the dis
couragements under which he fought the bat
tie of Buena Vista. Those are familiar as house
hold words to the nation. Suffice it to say
that he rose with the occasion. The greater
the difficulties which beset him, the greater th,
resources he displayed. Privations which
would have embarrassed others made cleare
his judgment. His penetrations saw through
mist which other visions could not:;pierce-
He gathered strength of responsibilities, ant
elacticity from he pressure of accumulatin.
perils. This quality was evolved in so remar
kabe degree, that his soldiers saw safety il
the magnitude of the dangers which manacet
them. He was with them, thinking for them
planning for them, working for them, watching
over them. and out of his great travail Their
came succor. They looked upon him witt
wonder, but without fear. Hope was in hi
presence--a victory written between the fur
rows of his brow
"Nor should it be forgotten that his modera
ton and humanity enobled the victories of hi
] compaign The geutlest symDathjes nestled