The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-10
From the Monroe dad American, Arril 81.
PUBLIC OPINION
IN REGARD TO THE ADMINISTRATION
General Tayior--His Administration.

LOT 10 the fTeSlutncy uh all auultlOndi anu
strengthening proof Of the capacity Of man
10 selEgoyernment as another important
advance in the great and glorious pathway
Of universal liberty. II is powerful evil
dence Of the upward tendency Of the doc
trines Of true repubfcanism, as well as q
pleasing manifestation Of the still increasing
confidence in which that system of govern
ment, which can no longer be called an ex-
pertinent, " held by the great body Of the
people. And yet, however dear that sys-
fem may be to every American-born cti-
zen, and how fondly soever the hope OF its
perpetuity may be cherished by every de-
voted lover Of liberty, there is wise incli-
nation manifested on their part, Of a willing
ness TO entrust the responsible duties Of its
chief direction to the hands Of those who,
though 10 a greater or lesser extent unac-
quainted with the popular forms and notions
appertaining 10 its correct administration,
are still possessed Of those noble and inhex-
ible virtues, without which no man, though
his talents be ever so brilliant, his learning
profound, and his knowledge Of diplomatic
and civil relations, experimental and extern
sive, can be regarded as an honest, up
right, impartial, and disinterested ruler.
They are no longer bound by the trammels
of the erroneous but commonly received OPT
Mon, tin none but learned an experienced
statesmen are fitted and qualified to fill and
adorn the high station Of President. They
have come forth before the world IN the bold
and conscientious defence Of the supremacy
OF mind and moral worth over the public dis
play Of unusual requirement, and the claims
preferred in consideration OF the experience
acquired by previous public service. They
have thrown off the shackles of tyrannic
custom, to which we all are more or less
accustomed to bear, by choosing for Presi-
dent man, whose only claims TO the dis
tinction Of the highest office within their gift
was founded upon the rare and invaluable
services which he had rendered his country
as a military leader. No one, whatever
may be the party principles to which he is
attached, is willing to openly deny the value
and importance OF those services and the
American people are not accustomed to al
ow such manifestations Of patriotic devotion
to the common cause Of their country to &c
unrewarded. From the rude, unpublished
and severe routine of military life, ever in
dustrious and faithful in the discharge OF it,
incumbent duties, General Taylor has beer
called to preside over the councils of thi
great nation. Nor this noble tribute t.
the fame Of his military career, in connec.
ton with the ennobling qualities Of heart ant
mind which are SO conspicuous in his every
day character, by any means TO be consid-
cred as improper and undeserved, or with
out the sanction Of honorable precedent
The military career Of General Washington
is too familiar TO all to be men toned in this
connection. Yet, his subsequent yunani.
nous election and reelection to the Presi
dency, was the result Of the influence 0
those stern and invincible traits Of characte
which enabled him so successfully to over.
come the almost insurmountable difficulties
by which he was surrounded, in that never
to-be-forgotten struggle which ended in the
establishment Of this beautiful system Of free
government, the safety Of which is still
zealously watched over by the jealous re.
CARDS Of its firm supporters and devoted adj
mirers.
But the election of General Taylor was
secured by consideration still more infu-
sntially important than any TO which we
have yet referred Though il is by nc
means our intention 10 underrate the influ-
ence Of the glory Of his military career, and
the sincere personal regard which the many
complimentary notices Of the press, unpreju.
diced by the bias OF party feeling and party
principle, had inspired in the minds Of the
people before his nomination, not only witt
reference to his character as successful
general, but also to his private worth ant
acknowledged capacity, and which we have
already noticed as greatly contributing Il
bring about the final result yet, upon care.
iul and mature reflection, we are compelled
to view these considerations comparatiyel,
IS matters Of minor importance. He ha,
honestly and boldly given publicity to a new
idea with regard to the true definition o
Presidential obligation new, because ap
parently It had been SO long forgotten. Tha
idea was seized upon with an avidity onl,
equaled by its striking novelty. Yetit wa
not on this account that it suddenly became
50 popular. 1t was the beautiful embodi-
ment OF the true spirit and principle of re.
publicanism il contained, and the tacit ac-
acknowledgement Of the supremacy Of the right
of the sovereign people over the despoti,
will Of one man, that took so strong holc
upon their feelings end paitialities.
In letter written TO Captain Allison, da.
ted Baton Rouge, April %, rs, Genera
Taylor holds the following language
+" reterate what ] have often said
I" am Wbig, but not an ultra Wing. |
" elected, would not be the mere Prcsidcn
!" ola party, would endeavor to act indepen
" dent Of party domination. should fee
I" bound to administer the Government un
trammeled by party schemes"
Such profession Of conpusiye liberalit
Of political principle, which would consul
the interests Of all without distinction ofpar
~, though emanating from one prolesscdl,
awhg, could not fail TO be considered some
what in the light Of an originality. That
candidate for the Presidency, nominated az