The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-22
Visit 10 tho White House.


GEN. TAYLOR DIsMoUNrEp-THE PRESIDENT AT HOME
INTERESTING CONVERSATION ON THE AFFAIRS OF
THE NATION.
About the middle of July last, having business In
Washington, and having received letter OF presenta
tstion to Gen Taylor from less prominent set
out with the expectation of seeing the old hero whose
military fame had reached the remotest sections Of CT
vilization not only In our own widely extended
try but throughout the world and Of whom before he
took charge of the reins OF government 1t might with
truth have been said =" None knew him but to love
him, named him but to praise"
Arrived in Washington, directed my way to Will
lards whore found familiar faces and good cheer aud
after taking stroll about the city and visiting few
friends, returned to the hotel, retired to rest and
enjoyed a comfortable nights sleep. The morning
following, the clearly and beautifully. re-
freshing breeze passed through my chamber, and as
looked out upon the broad that lay beneath
free from the rafting din Of milk carts and butcher
wagons had my eSn particular train Of thoughts
which woald in all probability prove less interesting
to the public than to myself
Nine o'clock was early hour to call upon dign-
tary but knew from report the custom Of the old
Generatba he carried his camp habits into White
House, and up with the lark. Besides that after
10 o'clock he was likely to be beset with vsiters,
engaged in cabinet meeting So thought it best to
present myself when he would most likely be at leisure
hack conveyed me to the mansion, before which
stood with reyerenal feeling awaiting the appear
ance Of the porter in to the summons of the
bell second pull brought him forth, when inquired
II the President was at home He was but could not
be seen when asked scan see the President? ?"
Wcll," said the door keeper, bland, smooth faced
Irishman, the President will be engaged the whole Of
the day, and cannot see company Whsreupon |
handed my card to the servant with the request that
he would take 1t to the President and learn when it
would suit his pleasure to Just five years had
elapsed since my last visit to the presidential abode.
Many changes had taken place. The building now
robed in the emblems of mourning for who, in the
interval between my visits, had faithfully served his
country and passed out Of existence Then John Ty-
Ter the presiding genius and kindly received
and Hospitality entertained, when in company with
Honest john" "Fscetious Bob" DR.. Miller, Misc
Sally Wsgaman and Others participated in the en-
joyment Of old fashioned Virginia dinner, and the
hearty and cheerful converse which followed.
In few moments the servant returned, with an ex-
preston Of regret from the President being engaged
ana a request that would call in the evening at six
o'clock, when he would be pleased to see mo- At the
time appointed, again started for the White House.
As approached the old General was seen some dis
lance down tie footpsth. which continues from the
right Of his residence. just starting take his
cusomed evening walk. Upon discovering me, he
tHrned and to my regret learned that he had been
waiting for hour. having told the servant dyo
o'clock instead Of six, the time for to call Adj
vapcing towards me. he extended his hand and gave
mine hearty grasp similar 10 that given by the old
man eloquent e,ncing depth and sincerity OF fesl
ing The plain and uppretending manners Of the Pre-
sident struck mo forciby SO unostsntAtious aud 90
perfectly in accordance With the republican institu
tons Of our country was bis appearance and carriage
and kind hs whole department that at the hrst in
tsrview ! formed . very high opinion Of his moral
WORTH which several subsequent visits tended only TO
confirm lie Is emphstioaly plain saan, but st the
zane time Possesses . degree Of common sense and
sterling integrity, which must command the respect
and admiration Of every whose interests and pre-
JUDGES are not warped by party feeling. speak Of
doubt; while his best friends, ay, even the
members Of his own csbinet-thsy perhaps. than
any others-view him as they would piece OF putty
In the hands Of the Ingenious glarer round nov
square, now heightened out now fsttened down, now
rolled over, softened with little OIL until made
10 suit to nicely the wishes Of the expert operator
With this truth is better acc uansed than Be-
crstary Ewing the st Just Of the admin stration or
Mr. Meredith In fact, the whole cabine, have finger
not In the pie but ia the putty They all work. but
the leading spirits Ewing and Meredith. Reverdy
yehnron received shot from the President, which
him plainly TO understand that the General to be
moulded BY him only 20 far since which time the At
torney General has thrown himself upon his dignity
and is"eonhned to the duties Of his Office The whole
nation feels that General Taylor has been made the
tool Of his cabineta body OF men, with exception,
actuated BY desire to advance their selfish pur
poses without regard to the interest q the President
the country at large. This IL wonid be absurd
attempt TO conceal deny but IL has arisen not from
any incrtness the part the President or un viii
ngpess to act but simply from distrust OF his
poveis. II has, with truth been charged upon him,
that he has allowed himscf to become q mere cipher
In tho administration OF the government and tho
complaint OF the people IL, that az they elected the
President, and not his cabinet TO ofacs, him, aud him
alone they blame for the NAL lon Of those
whom be has drawn around him and by whom he has
allowed himself to be frammesd and controlled.
Aw.king to the true condition Of thing. the freidn
prerogstire although In 30 doing he has already given
Silence to the Attorney General aud other mebers Of
the cabinet aud which, "a coming events east their
shadows before may warning In one quar-
ter and consolation to the public for unless there
I. very great change In the course pursued by the
cabinet, there will be, to quote the language Of the
old General, "a busting time.n
As before said, Was pleased with my Interview
and conversed with great freedom upon the political
aspect of the country, aud his relation. with his cabi
net lie felt psinsd. he said thst while doing the ut
most for the good q his country sinking parry claims
aud personal consderations he should be unju-ty
charged With having violated his pledges. aud given
himself up TO the dictsti0n cf party eiges free from
proscnpive spirit he vas determined q adhere to
the principles already bcfole the public. by shch he
5ruf.s sed 20 be governed Every man. he said hal
rsht TO vote in accordance with the dictates % his
reason, and no man should be removed from Office
party grounds OF because be had voted against him
there were three points necessary 90 be settled salts
fsotoriy. without which should be retained In,
or appointed to Office. aud possessing which. man
should he REMOVED LIST. The moral character must
be coed ID The person must be we'll quahd-d to
perform the duties OF the Office 10 which he may b.
"a lie NUT not have been political
brawl.r; for, said the General "aithough an sill
Ing that every individual shall vote hs thinks best
am not willing. nor viii consent, that aey msn be
retained In Office. who has gone about the country
abusing and WHIPPING me aud doing all that he pss-
by could TO render me odious Ia the eyes OF the
public
Somewhat surprised to see the old gentleman 90 te-
nscious upon that particular point ventursi TO a-k
by what means he enabled 90 larn to certainty,
whether an applicant sbo desired 20 he appointed
fteined could answer satsctory the above queries,
He had already stated 10 that forty years residence
In military capacity the Southern frontier. bsd
altogether pcapacisted him from judging correctly q
the wants Of the people. the political condition of
the country; that until after they appointed he
had never met Nth sipgle menber e his cabinet;
with The prominent politicians Of both parties he was
entirely upscquainted; aud quite 81 ignerant Of our
ctiz,ss, public and private Might he not, therefore,
very easily be deceived by those interested 10 repre-
scptng their fsvoraby IN detrscting from
the moral character and business OF their
orpontDtsi That lie all very true vas the reply;
the rule by which am governed e. to trust arst 70
the Of members of congress from the
distr OF whence the application comes and then to
~, ctsble prominent citizens But hos axan in
erpos,d isit be knos that etizUns