The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-22
Gen. Taylor, by Josiah quincy, jr.

We take the following passages from the speech
of Mr.. Quincy, at the Massachusetts convention
last week:
''It was my very good fortune, Mr. President, TO
be at Washington for three or four weeks, about
the beginning of last March, and it was my ex-
ceeding good fortune to be under the roof with one
who was a that time called General Taylor. Sir,
cannot help regreting that his health prevented
his having opportunity of showing himself to
the yeomanry and citizens OF Massachusetts,. re-
greet that they could not General President Tay
Tor, as he appears TO all about him.
"Ws are very apt, gentlemen, TO Judge by what
we have seen of the militia. remember, sir, that
was once aid to his excellency Governor Lincoln,
and thought then that the military had more fuss
than feathers, believe
| his soldiers called him-Rough and Ready. He
looks no more like of those officers whom you
will see election day riding about on horse
back with long plumes, than he does like Metho-
dist minister. l confess, sir, could not help look
ing at him with astonishment, as j saw him sit
ting upon his sofa in his paror, quiet, modest
looking man. and could not help thinking to my
SELF Is that the fellow that sat sideways on Old
Whitley at the battle of Buena Vista?
"We are apt to look upon the title Rough and
Ready as one which was got up for the occasion.
We are apt to imagine that committee has been
appointed to draft resolutions, and to present to the
public such name as will be taking But that 10
not the case with name like this. The highest
glory Of ancient knighthood was when the soldier
was knghted by his sovereign the field of bat
tie. The highest title of military man in re-
public, is when his soldiers give him name that
shall signify at once their confidence IN him and
their appreciation of his modesty.
she was called Rough and Ready because in
every rough situation he was ready; because he
was found sleeping side by side with common SOL
diers with tent or without a tent; because he
was found in the forefront of the battle, marked
only by his venerable and his simple appearance
"Whigs of Massachusetts,, you owe a great deal
to General Taylor. You have placed him in sit
uation of great responsibility You have taken him
from the position which he filled so nobly-that OF
a soldier among soldiers; and you have called him
to preside the destinies of this country He is
now attacked very much he before the bat
| tie of Buena Vista. Nobody says word against
| him. every body acknowledges his virtues, his
modesty, his Judgment; but they are trying, if they
possibly can, to get away as many as possible OF
his troops before he comes into action. They are
| trying to pick off the officers; and upon what
grounds do they pretend to pick them off?
cat one time we told that General Taylor is
afraid to maintain the dignity of his country; that
he really is afraid. Because he thinks it wisest and
BEST it was his duty to do, prevent any armed
interference with foreign countries by citizens OF
this country; because he will not submit to a failure
of the proper diplomatic decencies of the Cabinet
told that he is afraid, on the one hand and
on the other that he is DESTROYS of involving in
war.
"Fellow-ci citizens, it is our duty to stand by the
that we have put into that place To be sure are
not going to cast our votes again for him at this
| time, but we may assist him. The vote of Massa-
chusetts always has been, since the days of l776,
and trust always will be, of great weight in the
United States of America. 1t is our duty to stand
| by the man whom have placed in that elevated
| position Wings Of Massachusetts,, you are en-
! trusted with certain post in this warfare. You
entrusted with the defence of citadel that has
never surrendered; and it is your duty, long al
| you have leader like General Taylor, as long al
| he stands firm and true to the banner of Wing
| principles, TO give your time and your talents tC
sustaining him, and through him to sustaining the
| great principles by which this commonwealth has
risen, as it has, TO 50 much glory and honor. "
| Great applause