Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-09-22

greater part of his life in civil than in military
service. lie was for twenty years either the
Governor of a territory, member of Congress,
or a Minister abroad And he performed his
duties in all these stations to the satisfaction Of
the people.
This case, therefore, stands by itself, without
the precedent in our previous history. And it
is on this account, imagine, principally, that
the Wings of Massachusetts feel dissatisfied at
the nomination. There are other reasons of less
Importance, and more easily to be answered.
But, gentlemen, if may venture to use
mercantile expression, there is another side to
this account, and imparaty and duty require
us to consider that.
In the first place, General Taylor was nomi-
mated by a Wing Convention, in conformity with
the usages of the Wing party for years past
lie was fairly nominated, SO far as know, and
is now to be considered as the only Wing fairly
before the country as a candidate for the Presi-
dency, and no citizen claiming to be Wing
can give his vote for any other, let his personal
preference be what they may.
| In the next place, it is proper to consider the
personal character and political opinions of
General Taylor, so far as known. Now wish
every body to understand that have no per-
! sonal acquaintance with General Taylor. | on
ly saw him once, and then but a few moments
in the Senate chamber. The sources of infor-
nation from which derive my acquaintance,
with his political opinions, are open to you and
all, as well as to me. But | have endeavored to
obtain access to those sources as best might,
and to obtain my information from those who
have konwn his services and character as a SOL
der and man, and from his conversations
with his friends upon political subjects. And
l will tell you frankly what think of him.
That he is a skillinl, brave, and valiant sol :
der, is admitted by all. No one denies it. But
that goes with me but very little way. What
is more important, believe him to be an honest
man, an upright man. modest, clear-headed
man, man of Independent character, possess
sing mind properly disciplined and controlled.
| believe him to be estmable and amiable in all
the relations of private life. believe that he
possesses a reputation for equity and for judg-
ment which gives him an influence over those
under his command, beyond that conferred by
authority or station believe that lie possesses
the entire confidence and attachment of all who
have been near him, or have known him.
So much then, for what think OF General
Taylor's personal character. And will say,
too, that so far as have observed. his conduct
since his nomination, has been irreproachabe
! There has been no intrigue on his part, no con.
tumelous treatment of any rivals, no promises
nor hopes to any men or any party. We do moi
find him putting forward any pretensions Of hi.
!. own. And believe of him, as he believes o
himself, that he is an honest man, of upright
purposes-and as to his other qualification.
for the Presidency, he has nothing more te
say.
Now, friends and fellow ownsmen, with re-
spect to his political preferences. will say
that believe him to be a Whig-to hold to the
main Doctrines and uphold the great principle.
of the Wing party. TO believe otherwise, woulc
be TO impute TO him degree Of teryiversatior
and fraudulent pretension of which suppose hin
utterly incapable.
Gen,lemen,-It is worth our while to conside
, in what manner General Taylor became can
didate. ltisa great mistake to suppose that ht
is the selection merely of the Phladelp ha Con
vention, for he was nominated in various States
by numerous popular Conventions, year be
+ fore the Philadelphia Convention assembled.
+ Conference.-The whole history of the worlt
shows us that, whether in civilized or the mos
blrbarous ages, the affections and admiration o
the people are easily, and always, carried ava.
, by great and successful military talents ant
!, achievements. And in the case now before us
: Gen. Taylor, by his brilliant operations on tn,
a Rio Grande, at Palo Alto, and elsewhere, secur
{ ed spontaneous nominations from portions of tn
# people in all the States. And let me saw toe
that they were mostly Wing nominations
;. were nominations by Wings. Not always,
i. is true but generally they were Wing nom
q nations.
9 General Taylor has been esteemed, from tn
e moment his military achievements brought hin
n into public notice, as a Wing General. io
= all remember that when we were discussing i
n Congress the merits of the Generals, on the que.
If ton of presenting thanks to the army, the SUI
porters OF the administration and the friends
IS Mr.. Polk denounced General Taylor because b
1t was Wing. My friend, whom am happy
meet here, the Representative in Congress iro
y this district, (lion. ARENAS iiae) will remen
D. Der that a leading man of the party, and a prom
q inent friend of the administration, in his plaC
e In Congress, declared that it was the policy
r. the administration to prosecute the MeXica
W war, and that that policy could never prosper Il
y the recall of those Wing Generals, Scott al
4; TAYLOR. That was the policy Of the Democr
As cy-that the war should be carried out by Il
Sc Democracy--it was Democratic merit and 81
i. ry-and on that ground the Democrats would r
ry fuse vote of thanks to a Wing General.
It, General Taylor was nominated mainly thu
I'd by Wing Conventions and Wing meetings
, numerous quarters Of the country.
a. ~, remark, gentlemen, in the next place, th
-, there was no partlc ular purpose concerning Il
y advancement of Slavery entertained by tho
=. :. who nominated him. As have said, the nor
~ ination was made by Wing meetings and Co
y. ycnlions-more in the Northern and Midt
W. States than at the Southland the men who d
20 nominate him never entertained any desire
:, extend the area of Slavery, through his ADM
~ istraton, or by his influence. The Quaker Ct
~, of Philadelphia, the great State of Pennsylvan
~ certainly nomina'el him with no such views.
We remember that large Convention in
~ city of New York, composed of highly respect
v" BILE men, many of whom are personally "
IT, known to me, nominated him, ard certainly til
,e had no such views, And the nomination "
Nv hailed, not very extensively. but by some {
:. thusiastic and not very far-seeng political
H. here in Massachusetts,, amongst us, who rals
nc the notes ofexultation over their anticipated
~ umph certainly early enough-perhaps lit
70 too early for sound judgment and discretion
IT, ~ They might better have waited little
ed But, gentlemen, the truth is, and no one c
en avoid seeing it-unless, as is sometimes
IN. case, the object is brought too near the eye to
vii dscerned-that these Wing meetings and
of Philadelphia Convention proceeded exactly
err. cording to this reason. That, believing IL
on. Tay Tor to be Wing they thought he could
he'd elected more easily than any other Wing u
INT, was the whole of il. That sagdcous, wtse, !
you seeing doctrine qfarailabity lies at the bottom
itch the whole matter.
YES, 80 FAR, then, from imputing any motive or
we, sire Tor the promotion or extension of Slav
,!eu as operating upon these Conventions through
'o" the country, or on that at Phadel phia--at LEI
ms AS regards the majority of their members
"e the nomination and election Of Gen. Taylo