Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-09-12
Gen. Taylor at WeslmOrelanG.

The following is the reply of Gen. Taylor to
the welcome rendered him by the citizens OF
Westmoreland county, Pa
NY kind friends and respected fellow-eitizens,
| am unused to public speaking,-my training
has been in a different department of life, and
| am sure therefore the necessary indulgence
will be made by this great assemblage. But if
| possessed the most gifted power of eloquence
| could not express in words the deep and
abiding gratitude which | feel for the American
people. They have crowned me with praise
beyond my deserving; and unworthy as | am,
they have elected me to the first office in the
world in point of moral and political dignity
In the battles where | bore command, | was
sustained BY Che American soldier and volunteer,
admirable in all the qualities which ensure sue
cess. Where they have confidence in the com
mander, they have but two thoughts-"Our
country, and victory in her cause" With such
soldiers | fought, and with such soldiers what
could I do but conquer-let them have the
need of praise.
was not deserving of the great Office | now
fill. was not a voluntary candidate. But fore
ed and constrained by impulses which lcould not
resist. But since the desire of the people has
placed me there, my anxious thought, my
%untirine exertions will be to promote the peace,
liberty. prosperity, and happiness of the nation.
You all know that was not disciplined to poll
tics. Forty years of my life were spent in the
service of my country. Toll, privatiOns, ankle
ty and care were the elements of my educa-
ton. During that time, | served my beloved
country with all my energies in obedience to
her laws.
That part of nv life to which Hook back with
the greatest pleasure is when ] was protecting
the innocent inhabitants of the frontier, the
women and children, from the tomahaWk and
scalping-knife of the savage.
Ihope my motives will not be misunderstood,
for making this journey. l wished to see the
greatmanufacturing establishments ofthemiddle
and northern States, to witness their tiourishing
and prosperous husbandry; to ascertain their
wants and wishes, and to see my kind friends
and their beautiful county.
will give all my sympathy to the friends Of
liberty everywhere, now struggling for liberty;
but my great care will be to preserve the peace
to the country, and to aviod entangling ali-
ances with any, pursuing the example OF Wash
ington. And now my friends, again return you
nv grateful thanks for the enthusiastic recep-
ton have received. love to meet my fellow
citizens face to face, and to shake their honest
hands, especially the gray-headed patrlarchs,
who were the patriots of other days-and the
ladies, God bless them, they have everywhere
cheered my way with their smiles. God bless
you all. ,
The Mtelligencer concludes its account of
the enthusiastic welcome by SAYING
The President was dressed in a plain suit Of
black cloth; but in nothing differing either in
dress or manner from the great body of his
fellow-citizens, who, with profound feelings of
regard, thronged around him as he passed
through this county. The common remark
among the farmers was-"Why! he is just like
one Of ourselves-this is the right kind of a
President-there is no ostentation about him,
he mingles with, and converses freely with all;
he makes every one feel perfectly athome nhis
company"