Democratic banner., 1849-06-25

wing stamp, until about the 9Th of July, 184e,
when news came to Philadelphia that Hon.
Bailie Payton had, in New Orleans, solemn
ly endorsed you as a wing, and placed your
feet somewhere amid the ruins Of the de-
molished wing platform.
: This statement gave inexpressible pain to
thousands Of ycur friends in Pennsylvania.
Well aware that you had not been nomina-
ted as the candidate of any party, certain
that you could not by any chance be elect
ed in the name or on the platform of the
wing party, your friends-I speak of the
masses, who loved you for yourself and for
your independent position-recsived the
statement Of Mr.. Peyton with an emotion
that was not to be mistaken or evaded.-
They felt that either Mr.. Peyton was in er-
Tor, or that Zachary Taylor had falsifed his
oft~en-repeated pledges. Under the iDAu-
ence of this widespread feeling, l made
bold to write and send to you the following
letter. Its very abruptness of style indi-
Gates the sincerity which impelled its COM
position:
PHILADELPHIA, July5 5, 1848.
GENERAL: VIII you regard word from
a friend as impertinent or obtrusive!? 1t is
after a great deal of reluctance that / am
induced to trouble you again; but having
faith in you now, as l have had ever since
I pledged what literary reputation / pos
sess to you in my book-"THE LEGENDS OF
Mexico, or Battles Of ToyLOr''--l make
bold to say a frank word to the general of
the people.
This is the case. With thousands OF
democrats in this State, depend upon your
declaration 'sthat you would in no case be
the President Of q party, but the President
of the people," On this ground the demo-
Gratis Of Pennsylvania will vote for you BY
hundreds and thousands.
But we are now told that you are exclu-
sively the wing candidate, to be run as a
wing, elected as a wing, and under wing is
sues.
If this be the case, the State Of Pennsyl-
vania will be lost to Taylor and the coun-
try.
I do not believe this to be the CASE
Those who think with me in this county do
not believe it. But to set the matter at rest,
will you answer this letter with one lire ?
and with that line the democratic hundreds
and thousands of Pennsylvania will move
in a body for you.
General, do not reject this appeal from a
man who loves you for your battles, and the
moral grandeur Displayed in them; but Loves
you, first and last, because you have taken
the position of Washipgton-not with par
ties, but in the hearts Of the people.
And as for the line, say simply: 81 am
stu the candidate, not Of party ~ercius're-
ly; but IF a candidate at all, the candidate
Of the 'thok people,"
Here, General, was the whole case, plain
ly stated in a line. You were here told that
liz the attempt was made to elect you as a
wing, and upon whig issues, the State Of
Pennsylvania would certainly be lost to
Taylor and the country. At that time, with
thousands of democrats, I believed that
your election as the candidate Of the peo-
pie would subserve the best interests of the
country. And what was your reply to this
letter, which appealed to the best feelings
of your nature? On the 9th of August
received your answer, which l annex:
BATON ROUGE, (La.,) July "a, lS4s.
TPrivats.1
Dear Sir: Your letter of the 9th inst,
asking of me a line or two in regard to my
position IS a candidate for the presidency,
has been duly received.
In reply, have to say THAT AM NOT A
PARTY CANDIDATE, and if elected, shall not
be the Presidentcf q party, but the Presi-
dent Of the mhoie people.
! am, dear sir, with high respect and re-
gard, your most obedient servant,
q. TAYLOR.
George Lippard. esq. Philadelphia, Pa.
This, you well remember, was after you
had accepted the wing nomination, in slet-
ter which said nothing at all about wing
principles.