The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-13

change " MEN AND MEASURES IN order TO
arrest the downward tendency of our ma
tional affairs. What changer The sub
stitution of one Chief Magistrate for ano-
Their, and the elevation of seven WING
gentlemen to seats in cabinet, where
they might 60 through certain routine of
official duties, under the manifold embar-
easements with which they would be sur
rounded by unfriendly subordinates in
places of confidential relation Was that
change competent to arrest the down
ward tendency Of our national affairs
Was that change competent to effect any
substantial improvement in administration
Since the institution of human govern
ment, was the experiment ever made of
carrying on the affairs of great nation
upon such principles
The pledge then given by Judge SAUN-
DERs to the WING Convention, contem-
plated a practical, substantive change in
men and measures, adequate to the objects
of consistent, systematic, and harmoni-
Gus administration Of public affairs. Was
this pledge ratifedl In his letter of June
90, 1848, to the committee of the indie
pendent Taylor party Of Maryland, Gene
raj TAYLOR took ground which broke up
the Independent organization in that State,
and resolved it into its original elements.
"Under the general authority, Them"
he said, "thus given these gentlemen,
Judges WINCHESTER and SAUNDERs,) I
shall deem whatever statements they may
have made to be right and proper; and,
confident in their integrity, and in the sin
cerity of their friendship for me, shall
sustain them aOithoat qualification. now,
therefore, take upon my own shoulders
the responsibility Of the acts of the Louisi-
ana delegation, and am prepared to stand
By their consequences IN their length and
BREADTH" In the same letter General
TAYLOR disclaimed the desire of receiving
the vote of any man, Wing, Democrat, or
Native, on any other ground.
Thus, then, was the position of General
TAYLOR distinctly defined before the coun-
try. The canvass went on. 1t was sub
Sfopt;,Ilx, W.r,o onJ Dr,xooc .u,o -.
test. Many elements became involved in
it. The personal popularity of General
TAYLOR proved most important element.
1t was aided by the unpopularity of his
Democratic opponent, and by the detection
of large wing of the Democratic party,
under the lead of Mr.. VAN buren,. To a
great extent it was aided by the gross per-
sonal abuse and calumny that were shower
ed upon our candidate by the presses of
the late administration by the falsehoods
of suborned affidavit-makers, and by the
malignant structures of infamed Office
holding partisans. Many members of the
Democratic party united with us because
they sympathized with General TAYLOR
in his views of the importance of govern
mental reformation and this accession to
our ranks furnished an important element
of our success. But it was by the zeal
and devotedness-the labors and the sacri-
fees of the great WING PARTY of the
Union that the battle was fought and the
victory substantially achieved. Without
their aid, General TAYLOR would not have
received an electoral vote. With all their
aid, any other WIG candidate would pro-
badly have been defeated; but in every
aspect in which it can be viewed, the re-
suit of the late election was eminently the
triumph of the WIG PARTY-of party
disembarrassed of its dogmatic ultraisms
and obsolete ideas, infused with the spirit
Of the great principles which are develop
ing, and the great scenes which are enact
ing around us, and consolidated by the re-
cognised claim of President TAYLOR to the
respect, confidence, and gratitude of the
American People.
II is not in the power of any opposition
to interpret such triumph as the result
of a mere personal controversy. No party
cunning can varnish it with gloss so de-
ceptive. The support which General TAY-
LoR received was no blind homage to
successful soldier; it was the tribute Of
grateful and con6ding People to man
whose honesty of purpose had become an
universal conviction, and to whom they
looked as the Providential instrument of a
political revolution, by which the down.