The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-09
From the Memphis, Tenn, Eagle.
GEN. TAYLOR-HI syFRIENDs AND HIS
ENEMIES.

ENEMIES.
If there be one principle of Democratic
policy prominent beyond all others in con-
iirmed and unyelling practice, il is, in the
language Of the late Governor Wright, that
OF G carrying on Tie Goreramea by The aid
Of lis friends rather than Of its enemies
We have before heard of the following,
and its-easual turning up at this moment is
pertinent TO it:
Gen. Harrison had Just entered upon the
Presidency, and during the second week OF
the session Of the Senate some one think,
but am not sure, it was Senator Allen, Of
Ohio made some deprecatory or complain
ing allusion to the Postmaster Generals ex-
cessive use Of the guillotine, striking oil
Democratic postmaster's heads with diaboli-
cal rapidity and recklessness Mr.. Granger
was Postmaster General at the time, and
some Wing Senator made few remarks in
his vindication.
But Silas Wright seized the floor, and
courteously, in his calm, deliberate way, re-
buking the complaint of the Democratic
Senator, proceeded to say that " whatever
might have been said he had no hesitation to
avow on this floor, and he desired note
might be taken of the avowal, that his party,
when in power, would always carry on the
Government by The aid Of its friends rather
than of lis enemies, and that their opponents
now holding the reins, must NOT erpect 10
establish a claim upon Democratic indul-
geace BY any shoe or promise Of ieniency
10 Democratic incumbents Of office!
Peculiarly pertinent and lorcble are the
closing remarks Of Governor Wright, above,
in reference TO the position Of the " Demo-
cratic party towards Gen. Taylor and his
Administration A position not at all de-
sired BY him, and which he sought and
struggled to overcome-but one which has
been forced upon him, by the Democratic
party, and which he is painfully compelled
to submit to and occupy" that Of carry
ing on The Government by The aid Of rs
trie.ds" alone-ss from the ill-success Of
all his patriotic etfo.ts to harmonic parties,
he is now clearly satisfied, in the language
of Governor Wright, that he "must mol er
pect 10 establish a claim upon Democratic
Indulgence BY any sho,o or promise Of
ieaiency 10 Democratic incnmbents Of Of
flee"
Gen Taylor, in consenting to become
candidate for the Presidency, deferred the
propriety of il entirely 10 The people, and to
them alone. He periodically disavowed
and repudiated all party spirit, on all oeca-
sions, and as sternly refused to involve him
self with the peculiar tenets, measures, doc
trines, or principles" Of any party or fac
ton To all, when addressed in reference
to his views touching their creeds, he gave
the same courteous and appropriate reply,
binding himself to ncne-and to all express
ing great and virtuous distrust of his qua
lifcations for the Presidential Office, frankly
declaring TO his countrymen that there were
other men far better qualified Tor the distin-
guished position. Such was Gen Taylor's
untrammelled and exalted position before the
country in reference to parties. He gave
no pledges to win sectional or general sup
port-iurther than that he would be the Pre-
sident Of the People, and not of party
at the same time unhesitatingly declaring
| himself to be a Wing How noble his posi-
| tion--how exalted before the country, and
how scrupulousy free from all the dishonest
arts and scheming resorts Of the political de-
magogue
Such was Gen. Taylor's position during
the canvass, and under which he was elect
ed President of the United States But he
failed, eminently failed, notwithstanding all,
l to propitiate the monster party The
Democratic party refused all overtures, so
magnanimously and periodically rendered
1 by him for party Cancellation. They would
listen to no such propositions, but rivetted
more tightly their party bands Of distinct
and compact organization, re-afiirmed their
former distinctive principles" would stand
upon none other than their own cherished
party platform" and in solemn National
Convention assembled, deliberately declared
to the people and to the world that they
would support no man for President who
would not stand upon every plank Of it,
and abide by and administer its edicts.
The course and result Of the canvass has
become matter of historical record, Gen.
Taylor was repudiated by the Democratic
leaders and party, and by them was forced
upon the country, against his will, as tie
i Wing candidate alone. And more violent
{ and bitter canvass, on their part, was never
waged More stringent and unscrupulous
party means were never resorted to, than
were used by them TO defeat Gen. Taylor
From one end of the Union to the other, tn,
friends Of the late Administration were urgee
and required TO enlist in his defeat, by circu
lars promulgated at Washington, with thu
! Presidential knowledge and sanction, framed
and issued by prominent Office holders there
and calling upon every office-holder through
out the country to exert himself openl,
l against the election Of Gen. Taylor, and t.
forward funds from time to time, to the com
mittee at Washington, to aid in that pur
pose.
| The Wings, however, succeeded in elect
ing Gen. Taylor, despite the stringent dem
ocratic organization and hostility And, il
entering upon his duties as chief magistrate
the President found himself embraced by thu
Wings and repudiated by the Democrats
\ He had No oJntaa - l. -. a.. it,