The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-09-21
LETTER FROM GEN. TAYLOR.


lie policy. lest nv iellow-citizens might be
misod by the many contradictory and con-
icting statements in respect TO them which
appeared in the journals of the DAY and
were circulated throughout the country
| now find myself msreprescnted and mis-
understood upon another point, Of such I'M
porlance TO myself personally, il not 10 the
country at large. as Ia claim from me a ran
did but connected exposition Of nv relation
TO the public in regard to the pending Pres
iden,ial canvass.
The utmast ingenuity has been expended
upon several letters and detached sentcn-
ccs Of letters, which have recently appear
ed over my signature, 10 show that occu
py an cquivocal attitude towards the vari-
Gus parties into which the people are divi-
dci, and especially towards the Wing party
as represented by the National Convention
which asscmb'edat Philadelphia in June last.
Had these letters and scraps orle.icrs been
published or construed in connection With
what have heretofore snid upon the subject.
! should not now have TO complain OF the
speed with which my answers 10 isolated
questions have been given up to the cap
tious criticism Of those who have been made
mv enemies by d nomination which has
been rendered 10 me without solicitation or
arrangement OF mine, or of the manner in
which selected passages in some of my let
tcrs written in The freedom and carclcssness
of confidential correspondence, have been
communicated TO the public press. Bus
rivcn from the context, and separated from
a series Of explanatory facts aud cireum-
stances which arc. in 50 far as this canvass
is concerned, historical, they are as dccep-
tive as though they were positive iabrca
tons. Iaddress YOU this letter TO correct
the injustice that has been done me, and
the public to the extern, that am an object
of interest to them by this iiliberal FRO
| cess.
shall not weary yon hv On elaborate
recital oi every incident connected with tho
first presentation Of my name us candi-
date for tho Presidency. was nj the he I'D
ofthe American army in the Valley Of the
Rio Grandc. | was surrounded by Wnigs
and Democrats who had stood by me in
the trying hours ofny life, and whom il
was my destiny 10 conduc: through scenes
Of still greater trial. My duty TO tia, ar
my and to the Republic, whose battles we
were wasing, forbade my as>umin. posi-
ton of seeming hostility 10 my portion of
the brave men under my comnand---ail Of
whom knew WINS n Wing in principle, for
| made no conccalmcn. OF my political SON.
timents or predictions.
Such had lecn the violence If pnr'y
struggles during our lato presidential cl.c-
tions, that the acceptance 1T n nomination
under the rigorous interpretations given 10
the obligations OF cnnd,n'e presented -
The public with !ormilnry ofpni,icai priu-
cples VAS equivalent almost 10 drclnra.
ton OF nncnmrronising cnriiiv toni VIII
did not subscribe to It's tcnfis. mas un-
willing Ia hazard The effects Of sDci rela-
tionship towards any otihe soldiers under
my command, when ia front 81 an eue'nt
common 10 W. ALL Ii would have been nn-
just in itself, and il WINS us rcpugnant To
my own fecingas i, was to my dnty. |
wanted unity in the army, md forhore any
act That might SOW the seeds ol dlsirusi and
discord IN is ranks. Ihavc not my letters
written at tho time, before inc. hut they are
all Of one import, ond in conformity with
the views herein expressed.
Meanwhile Twas solicited by nv person
al friends and by strangers. by Wings and
Democrats, To consent u become candi-
date. was nominated hy the people in
primary assemb'ies--by Wings, Democrats
aud Natives, in separate and mixed meet
ings--l resisted them all. aud continued 10
DO So until led to believe that my opposition
was assuming the aspect Of defiance to
the popular wishes. yielded only when
it looked like presumption to resist longer,
aud even then should not have done so
had not the nomination been presented to
me in form unlikely 10 awaken ncrirno-
ny or reproduce the bitterness Of feeling
which attends popular elections. | say il
in sincerity and truth, that part Of the
inducemcnt 10 my consent Was the hope
that by going into the canvass. il would be
conducted with candor, if not with kind
ness. II has been no fault of mine tina.
this anticipation has proved vain one.
Aitor permitted m,sc!t'to he announ-
ccd for tho Presidency, under the crcum-
stances above noticed. accepted nomina-
ton after nomination in the spirit in which
they were rendered. They wcro made ir-
respective ofparlies, aud SO acknowledged.
No one who joined in those nominations
could have been deceived rs to my political
views. From the beginning till now have
declared myself to be Wing on all proper
occasions. With this distinct nvowal pub
lishcd to the world, did not think that |
had right to repcl nominations from polt-
ical opponents any more than ! had = right
to refuse the vote Of Democrat at the polls;