The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-17
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
sUNpAYsnloRyISe. SEPT s~--srr-s' =
Gen. TsyIor's latest Letter again.

We publish this document in FULL in another column
having already given our readers the teegraphic re
port OF it in the Baltimore Sun, which reached TWEEN
~ four hours before the letter itself Before resumine
our comments upon this production, we have 3
point in relation to it, to settle with the Baltimore Ameri-
can
The Geographic report OF the letter. upon which we
before commented literally copy of the latter
portion OF the document, preceded by brief but
rate statement of the and substance of its opening
passages This brief statement is as follows:
Another letter has appeared from Gen Taylor Captain
Allison dated Pasca goua, Sept T. lS4S, in which he
plains that he charged with occupying an equivoca att
ude towards various parties and especially towards the
wings HIS letter then proceeds as JoaoUs
He says this results from partial extracts from his
letters being published which in reality bad posi-
live fabrcaons He did declare hrs pofftea opin'on
phiie in Merieo fearing that might ALLEVIATE his soldiers
When he assented to he believed ne vas
general call from all parties He then pays high copli-
nen to Mr. Fillmore who he considers worthy oil the
first place on the ticket. He then proceeds TO say;
land here follow the passages OF the letter which the
telegraph reported verbatim.]
Upon the above italicised statement remarked as
follows preserving in comment the very word "den
ate" used by the telegraph
This second episle TO Captain Allison opens with the
monstrous statement that while in Mexico he felt himself
compelled conceal his political opinions for fear OF alien
ating him those gallant soldiers who had eagerly rushed
forth and rallied under his banner defend the rights and
honor of their country on the battlefield!
The Baltimore American, quoting in full the paragraph
of the letter thus condensed by the telegraph hazards
its own reputation for truth courtesy, and fairness so
much as to assert that the above comment of is "a
caltmny monstrous, that subsequent retracon OF II
can do away with the foul injustice that now marks its
utterance" and then adds by way of making IFS charge
of "calunlny' yet more formal and grave, "Ths mis-
cradle system of detracton, which often mparts dis
gushing characteristic to party contests though men,
when they became partsans, discovered code
of truth and honor is i'll suited to the calm temper of
the public at this tme that it may be remarked upon and
exposed cih some probability Of salutary result"
Now all this is discredtabe in high degree, either to
us or to the American Let our readers Judge where the
discredit will attach We quoted and appended to
article the letter given by telegraph in neutral paper
giving credit for it, and taking to state that the
letter itself was reported SIN part" In
ment we preserved the words which were mate
rial, and did not in the slightest degree pervert or
distort the meaning of the only version of the Cen
erals language which before To call this
ga calumny" our part, as the American does, is
be itself convicted, if not confessed calumniator
We had right to hope better things from the usual
tone of that Journal and from the editorial re-
atons which have existed between it and ourselves If
the Geographic report had been unfair Inaccurate we
were in no way blame. We did not vouch for it, but
took it as it And say, that so far from be-
ing unfair, the Geographic statement of the passages
question, brief it is, and amply warranng all we
said of it, yet far less dscredabe to Gen. Taylor than
the passages themselves when copied the Ameri
has copied them at full length We defy the American
itself make another of their substance equal
ly brief and equally nofensve with that of the tele-
graph.
We quote the passages entire:
was then the head of the American army the valley
of the Rio Grande. surrounded by wings and demo
who had stood by in the trying hours Of my lfe
and whom it my destiny conduct through scenes Of
still greater trial. My duty that army, and the republic
whose battles we were wagipg, forbade my assuming po
.tion of seeming hostility any portion OF the brave
under my command-all Of whom knew was a wing in
principle for made conceanent of my political sen-
ments predictions.
Such had been the violence of party struggles during our
late presidential elections that the acceptance of nomina
ion under the rigorous Interpretations giusn the obiga
lions of candidate presented to the public cth formlary
of political prtnctps equivalent almost declaration
of ennify to all ,cho did subscribe
,Cas unfolding hazard the effect of such rsla
tionsp toVards Of the soldirs under my command
When IN front OIL an enemy common to all Ii would
have been unjust in ITSELF and it was repugnant my
Swn feelings as II was to my duty"
Now, what in respect to General Taylors politics. does
the above language represent being nvoed by him to
his army, and what does represent being concealed or
wthheld? The army, il seems permitted by him to
know that he was "a wing" in sentiment But they
also knew that he potcian-that he knew
nothing of politcs-that he had taken any part
in politics, and had voted in his life. All this
they knew and then, when his name came into the
newspapers and into public meetings as candidate
for the presidency, the question at up, what
would be the politics. what the political and
action of this "no politician" non- voting swhig,
but not ultra whig" case he should be made Presi-
dent? THIS was the real question, and the only re-
al question, to General Tayors politics His political
nudity during his whole military life well known,
but of no account. But now he to come into
cvilstation where his politics could longer be nudity
If elected he must act, must advise must take
line of policy must in word administer the executive
government. How would he do it Would it be wing
principles, democratic principles neutral principles,
or no principles all All this Gen. Taylor concealed
He says himself that he concealed all this, because he
"was unwilling TO hazard the effect of such relation
ship towards his soldiers" frankness in relation to
these points would Involve For fear of this hazard he
cal principles"
Had the General stopped here he would have said
nothing trorse these passages than what the brief tee