Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-06-21
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

YOU oy Tue convention In Philadelphia, for the
Presidency aud Vice Presidency of the U. States.
and good taste would hardly tolerate it, Without
fear and above reproach he stands before his country
upon the proudest emineuce, and brightest page of
modern histOry-no ''dishonoring blot" stains his
escutcheon-a ambitious only Of the PATRIOTS lust re-
nown-for faithful service to his country wherever
she called, and prompt obedience to her laws, he
has asked, and now asks nothing for himself As
he met her enemies, and with his gallant comrades
conquered them, because she commanded him, SO
now at her command he turns his sword into pru-
ning hook, and prepares to enter upon the less ex
citing, but not less aTduous duties of peace and civil
life-and we feel the most entire confidence that
his service there will give us as much satisfaction
as 1t has done in the field and in the camp, GER
tainly 1t will be marked by the same lofty patriot
isln, self sacrificing fidelity, frmness and mudesty
which have characterized him heretofore amid the
tolls Of the march and the tedium of the camp-on
the eve Of BATTLE and in the moment of victory
Danger has brought with it no terror TO him. and
victory no boastiul spirt-wth the enemy before
him his thoughts have been of duty and his eoun-
try. The triumphs of his arms have been the con-
quests of the nation
But 1t Is not as the successful soldier merely that
we present General Taylor to you. and solicit for
him your suppoit-but because in the soldier we
behold the devoted and self sacrificing patriot-be
cause IN the tolls, pers and privatons of the army
In the hour of battle, and when flushed with con-
quest, ne has evinced the calmneSs, seGcon,rol
courage, good sense, and moderation, which always
mark the man who is fit TO govern, and elevate him
above the vicissitudes of fortune
Turning from his military position to that which
ne now occupies, our admiration for him is increas-
ed. His attitude is lofty in the extreme. Impor
tuned by his countrymen 10 take the helm of State.
his reply is marked by the modesty which attends
true courage, and the self dstrust which characte
rizes the wise man, and at the same time by stern
ness and independence of which none but the hon
est and patriotic are capable
Ready to serve his country whenever she calls
nm he spurns the trammels of party, and refuses
to become the tool of intrguers. The spproba,on
OF his country and his conscience not the praise of
faction, is the reward he seeks, and he scorns 10
DC the President of party, unless that party CO.
extends with his country. In the spirit of the
Constitution, and after the example of Washing
ton, he is content only 10 be President of the ma
ton. ~
When the approbrium of the country is avidity
Tor Office and spoil and patronage are the great od
ministration qualities, Gen. Taylor declines power
and the profit OF office when offered at the price of
party su6servlency. The lamented Lowndes in
the spirit OF patriot, and with just perception of
inc dignity OF the station, to which his countrymen
would have called him, declared that .sthe office
was one too elevated TO be sought or declined y
ne national heart responded to the sentiment and
the people embalmed it i'm their memories The
conduct of Taylor exemplifes the maxim of J.own0
des. Spurning the maxim, that '.to the yictors
belong the spoils, he comes into office, if at ALL to
serve MS country, not to reward friends or punsb
ehemies-ln his own language, "wi,h no enemies To
punish, and nothing to serve but his country -
Honesty, ability, and PATRIOTISM will be the oua
hcations Tor office which he will require, and all
VINO possess mem VIII be equally entitled to the
honor or profit of serving their country
His enemies, your adversaries, affect 10 sneer =,
ana denounce his election an evil, because thew
say he is mere soldier, military man without ~
.her qual1caton. This is strange as il is uniust
In party who present two soldiers-two military
men-as their candidates Cor the first offices of the
hation. III to be excused for this injustice il can
only be by suPposing that their manifest destipvu
has made them do what their judymen, and patriot
| ism condemns. There is to us something new and
mol altogether comprehensive in the idea that the
election of, one military man is dangerous. but the
| election of two is harmless.
But the sneer which is thrown at TAYLOR 10 in
TACT an insult intended for the people; for the peo
pie have called upon Taylor, and summoned bi,
rom inc Held OF glory to serve them at home,-no
as Power, maddened by party spirit, has BROUGHT
back the gallant and glorious Scott from the scene
OF his triumphs and the field of his fame, to humble
and wound him.
~,,o "So'' w peat, llGIeIOTe, Is DESIGNED for
the people, and like almost every wrong which has
been done them, 1t IS offered in the name of the
people by those who wear the peoples badge and
profess to love them better even than power Be
iieve them not, fellow -citzens. They offend YOU
In the name of the people, because they seek power
and by that title only can they obtain it.
The people are not the fools they would have
you believe them, who tell you that it is well to
have two Generals on their ticket and mons,rous
TO put one on ourS-who tell you that Taylor is p-
noTant, incompetent, unfit, mere soldier selected
tor military fame 1t is not So Itmarks the onal
Ity OF the man, and the discernment of the peonle
That military glare and gold lace could not conceal
OF blind the people to the lustrous qualities and
high civic virtues of General TAYLOR. Desnire tho
military glare, and underneath tie old brown coat
ragged with bullet holes, in the war-worn veteran
'he people saw courage, honor, patriotism. patience
n'oaesy' sell control and good sense. They saw
mat lear could not subdue and victory did moi ela,e
him. They saw that he felt that his lust reliance
was upon God and his country-not hmself-and
they called him TO a field of service and dutv
ana we appeal to you to ratify their judpment -
nat zen. taylor's opinions are those of 2 natrot
and republican, is shown by bis letter TO Cant. AL
'iSon' TO winch we invite your attention. Every
sentiment OF 1t is worthy to be engraved-and we
annex it, w
The cry of Military Chiefain" is not new. nor
w ~ U.s. y, IL u"hhoWn. III was raised against
washington, jackson and Harrison against Caesar
and Alexander, Frederick and Napoleon, though a.
mong them were the first statesmen of the world
ana the man, who, above all men was the fire, in
the hearts OF his countrvmen ''' ~
vi MI. Fillmore we deem it necessarv oply -
state that he IS one Of the most gifted Of the sons of
the Empire State; known throughout the land bv
the ability with which he discharged the duties Of
Chairman Of the Committee Of WAYS and Means
IN Congress, and now filing by an overwbemino
vote OF the people Of New York. one of thn rnnsi