Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-03-08
From the Pensylyanian.
Gen. Taylor and Escmry CLAY.

to the nomination of General TAYLog, as
Federal candidate for the Presidency, is
soiull Of caution as TO be almost cowardly
Like the tinid skater, who sreads the ice
with nistrusting steps, while he remem
bers some former casualty. they approach
the question with as much ill-disguised
fear, as if they looked upon TAYLOR as
only new Captain TYLER under another
name. Anxious to take advantage of bis
popularity, and Of his wide military fame
as an easy road to a Growing victory,
they yet fear that when he has reached the
goal, he will cast off the load that he has
carried along, and throw himself into the
arms Of safe and negative neutrality
Hence it is, that while they pretend to be
warmly for Taylor, they continue to hold
onto CLAY with an affection unusually in
tense, and a steadiness that promises TO
outlast even the ides Of March. The oc-
casional assurances published by authority
in the National Intelligencer and N. Y.
Courier, that General Taylor is "every
inch Whig," serve admirably to keep up
the courage Of his Federal friends, and to
drive of Democratic support. The decis-
ion by the caucus of the Federal members
of Congress, in favor of Federal Nation
al Convention, although opposed by Mr..
Gentry, Of Tennessee, in long and able
Taylor speech, was carried by vote-so
saysthe correspondent Of one Of the oppo-
siiion papers-often TO one. 1t is greeted
by the New York Tribune and its echoes
as Taylor defeat, and from the tone of
come of the Taylor papers, we are led to
believe that il is similarly regarded by
them. The National Whig-which now
reaches us nthe shape ola weekly INSTEAD
Of a daily paper-pays the following high
compliment TO those Of its party who OPP
pose General Taylor:
P awe assure our friends, the friends Of
Gen. Taylor, that Washington at this mo
ment abounds in intrigues, the object OF
which is to prevent the people from vot-
ing for the Hero Of Buena Vista for
President. In these intrigues, Wings and
Democrats are equally concerned, though
with different objects in view. There are
Whigs Dto desire 10 procure The nomination
of some man 'cko is vioient payti-an, and
arho, if he is elected, wiU divide The Offices Of
government among his elaa erclusiyely. To
effect their purpose, they boldly make use
efthe name Of the honored Clay,aDd swear
that be is their man, when, all ;ae while,
they have not the remotest idea Of permit
ting him to be the nominee OF the Conven-
ton. BY the force of Mr.. Clay's meme,
they hope to arrest the popular feeling
that is sweeping over the country in ia.
voz OF Gen. Taylor. They have even be-
gun to Willy and abuse the Old Hero
a fair construction of this aIronition,
uttered from the very centre Of political
power, is, that Gen. Taylor if elected
President, will be no-party President
the very thing which his jealous Federal
advisers wish TO guard against!
Tha New York Express, Of a recent
date, used the following language:
"Mr. Clay is 10 galvanized mummy O!
an age that is dead and buried, but the
living and breathing embodiment Of the
true principles Of the great National Wing
party of the present day; and with regard
10 this new issue Of the Mexican war,
we hold that he has met it in his Lexirg-
ton speech-and met it SO brayeIy and 20
molly that The Whig party Mroughcrt The
length and breadth Of he Jajon uiN be
Jnlse 10 its hgh principles, if it docs not
cordially sustpin him throughout. The cry
Of Justice TO Harry Clay, SO rife in ls4i,
Is again swelling on the breeze; il is com
ing in upon us from every part OF the
Union, and we feel that we arc but ex-
pressing the true sentiments c. the great
mass Of the Whigs-of the North and
West, at ieast-when we urge Mr. Clay
not to disregard call SO urgently end so
ardent!y made"
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Courier and Enquirer-a pa
per ardeut in its support ei General Tay-
lor--thinks that the General should define
his position in more uneqnivocal man
ncr:
1T is deemed desirable, Ly very many
ofthe truest wings in Congress, that Gen.
lay lor should make some more explicit:
statement Of his political principles than
he has yet done, before the Wing PARTY
shall stand pledged TO his support. They
DO not ask pledges TO sny,hing--for the
experience of JouN TYLER has proved
how worthless are the most solemn pied
ges that a man who is weak or selfish may
make. Nor do they desire any commit
ment on his part to the ultra positions and
principles for which the Wings, in past
days, have commended. But they think
that the great mass Of the Wing party are
entitled to some more definite indication
of his political opinions-of his sentiments
concerning the war and the general con-
dition of the country a. the present time
than he has yet given. And this conric-
tion renders them unwilling to commit
themselves at present to his support"
How the name Of TYLER troubles the
dreams Of our opposition friends! How
they beg for any, even the most indefinite
public expression CT "Whig" opinion
from TAyLoR! How they suspect, lest,
under his o-party robes, he may carry
the weapon that is to deal death and des
truc.ion upon their hopes! And how con-
clusiyely all these dissembled fears ex
pressed in the highest quarters, explode