Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-07-28
RICHMOND, VA.
Saturday Morning, July 20th, 1S49.
anecdotes Ridiculing General TAILOR.

Anecdotes Ridiculing General TAYLOR.
The Democratic papers publish the most absurd
and unjustifable stories, which are evidently fabr-
Gated at Washington to rdicule the President and
produce the impression that he is an ignorant old
fool The Enquirer, Of Thursday, upon reproducing
twoof the most ridiculous of these scandals, remarks
as the Washington Union did before it, that "there
are so many OF these stories floating about, uncon-
tradiced, that people begin TO believe there is some
thing in them" This unguarded phraseology re-
veals the true secret of such silly inventions "foat
ing about" The inventors hope that, by reason of
their floating, the people will begin to believe them
That our readers may know what manner of oppo-
slton is now gravely carried on against the admin
istration, it may be well to MENTION that one of the
statements quoted III the Enquirer is to the effect,
that when gentleman from one of the British
Provinces spoke to Gen. Taylor ON the subject of
reciprocal duties, the "Second Washington" asked
nm, Have the potatoes iii your country got the
rot 2? The other is, that the President, in CONVEX
saton lately with some Northern visitors, called
Connecticut "the Bay State
1t is true, these statements, and many more of
the kind, have been uncontradicted by Gen. TAYLOR
or his friends and for the obvious reason that con-
fradichon would be an endless and useless task
His Intellectual character has been far better attest
ed by iustrious actions, than it would be by thou.
sand official explanations and as for the styIe Of
his conversation his reputation may safely rest upon
such testimony as that of Gen PERs1FER F. Smith
gallant and accomplished soldier, and Democrat
IN politics, whose memorable account of General
Tayors qualities, will, doubtless, in these times Of
party vituperation, be refreshing to the reader:
Il have never heard of any one " said Gen Smith chow
ever corrupt or base himself that after fre minutes con-
oersdon 0atd Gen Taylor has dared propose or hint
a. @mSiatag dishonest or mean And intercourse in
w eVeIls OF common life give the true idea
Of the oftiness OF his chafacter remember Won
me- al the lime he was command at Copns Christi
his sound judgment and nexhaushle enereS as had
learned them Florida But did not then estimate bro.
campaign on the Rio Grande, him tried under all
circumstances, AND HE ALWAYS CAME OUT PURE GOLD :"
Let us recall, too, the remarkable statement of
Lieut.. Col. BRAGG, officer whose Democratic
opinions were the cause of many congratulations
during the Presidential canvass Speaking. at Mo-
bile, OF the battle of Buena Vista, he said
"Io GEN Taylor, TO HIM ALONE BELONGS ALL.
THE GLORY OF THAT ACHIEVEMENT. And but express
the universal sentiment OF those who served under him in
saying that NO OTHER MAN COULD HAVE OBTAINED
THAT So great was the confidence reposed in
him by his troops and other could have commanded
that his presence on anypa ofthe field was sufficient not
only 10 cnage despair INTO hope but to give assurance
OF victory, and dspe all doubt OF ultimate triumph"
Will the historian of a future age who writes the
annals OF our own times, be able to credit the fact
that the man, of whom such words as these coulc
be uttered by such witness, was, in few short
months after coming to the charge of public affairs
reved by any portion ofhis countrymen as being little
better than an imbecile dotard?
One more piece of high Democratic testimony.
and we desist from these "reminiscences. The in
repid Col JEFFERSON DAVIS, of Mississippi, who
spoke and voted in favour of General Cass, gave,
nevertheless, this willing and eloquent evidence of
General Taylor's virtues:
Col Davis said that Gen Taylor had shown himself
The distinguished soldier OF the age vet he was equally
remarkable for his kindness OF heart and simplicity of hab
ITS his strong judgment and excellent sense He alluded to
mat hour battle Buena Vista when the day seemed
II not lost to be going against arms when Gen Tay-
ior amidst the thckes of the iron hail. rode upon the pla
reau and calmly surveyed the scene Vast as were the
consequences OF that hour he appeared to fear DANGER
expect no harm The excitement of the carnage over The
same soul that could remain unmoved when his friends
were falling like leaves around him. who could look m-
oanched upon the front OF the laundering artillery, be-
came te poor soldiers most sympahizng friend and the
eye, so stern IN battle, mild as the tenderheared
matrons.
We cannot believe that fairly disposed men of the
Democratic party, however strong their political
opinions, admitting, as they must do the truth of
these delmeatons of Gen. Taylor's intellectual and
moral qualities will give their approval to the sort of
warfare that is now waged upon his character The
occasion demands that every generous mind in the
Republic should cry Shame, shame upon this scan
daloua system of party opposition!'