The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-04-06
POLITICAL.
[corres pondence OF the Boston POstl
WASHINGTON, March "a, lS4e

Election of Gen. Taylor ana re qt"'oe,asy fT,l
Tayloy's uayious positionS-Ihe whg party oa3-
incl, office holders. removals, de--Dif Burke Of me
Patent Office, Se.
bow of profound respect to the democracy This is no
inference, but fact; speculation, but history Our
having substantial reasons Tor believing that
hostilities would be commenced by Mexico for the re-
covery of Texas, issued its orders accordingly Meas
ures of precauon were adopted portion OF our army
ordered to be the expected theatre OF action
General Taylor, being the officer highest IN command
in that section of the country, required TO exc
cute the orders OF the War Department This was matter
of course. He not selected for any peculiar Illness
He enjoyed confidence of his supeors above that en-
joyed by other officers of the army OF equal rank All are
supposed to be equally able and equally brave tie was
to call pGI he I not haSe
was alone his error Dangers came, and he bravely
averted them Battles were fought, and he was veto
rous. Our nations flag was proudly sustained by the
bravery of our troops. and the peoplehe PEoPLEwere
grateful to the man who led them to victory. We need
not speak OF the thrilling excitement which ran through
the country with lightning speed and which turned all
eyes the OF national strife. The first question
with all was. "Who is general Taylor ~ Before history
could answer the question: the people were answered by
his acts.
The democracy looked with pride at the achieve
mens of arms and cheered the brave spirits of the
camp. Need II be said, if the wings reolced their
jocngs the mingle with the groans OF doubt
and apprehension The democracy received the lidngs
of repeated successes with undisgused JOY and pde the
wings denounced them as cruel and unjust The democ
racy made the air reverberate with the power OF its home
atery-responding to the kindred sounds echoing and
rsechog from the plains OF palo A Att and IRON the
Giotc citizen with boniires and music while the wings,
aye. the wings, declined ali participation in such mani
testaons OF gladness, and protested against the prnci
pies of those who sustained them The democracy rallied
around the government, encouraged pomplness, offered
aid and courted posts OF danger while the wings eved
them Tor their patriotism, and dlculed them for their
confidence The democracy offered means, and the
democratic members of Congress voted means to prose
cute the war; while the wings embarrassed the govern
men to the utmost OF their power voted only what they
dare not refuse and then dshonored their votes of
s'ty by other political of degradation, neutraze
what they had done, and what they could not avoid with
But as General Taylor was n, politician. and General
Scott had been in the field candidate for the pres
commandment chief at home, while an unknown sub
ordinate was rearing all the glory. The government
with motives OF FEAR, that if HE were permitted to 60
forward in the war he would acquire popularity which
nothing could Withstand at the polls The most abusive
articles written the bitlerest speeches were made
against the administration, and in behalf of Major Gen
Scott. He became political martyr The folly of such
position was soon made apparent. Inc President
ordered to Mexico. He became first in command, and
General Taylor made subject to his orders. Not by
any order OF the War Department but by right OF rank
The eyes OF the people turned to another lead
err new series of operations was deemed indspensa
BY necessary to reach the capital Of Mexico General
Scott became the hero, and General Taylor placed
on the defensive Many of his troops were taken from
him by the commanderin chief an unavoidable
sequence 10 the changeand the enemies OF the govern
General Taylor What would save Scott was supposed
TO be fatal 10 Taylor, and what making name for
Taylor was said to be designed the death Of Scott
The wings knew principle but that of opposition.
When their wishes were answered they changed their
positions, and their whole existence as party depended
upon opposition whether lust unjust, and this opposi-
ton was continued without the slightest reference to
patriotism or principle.
General Taylor had been addressed on the subject of
the presidency The first letter to him upon the subject
- far as we know, was written by democrat 1t was
il-aavised though possibly originating in patrlo0 mo-
only by the democrats and the instructive good will of
the democracy has been turned in his favor His glory
of democratic origin. 1t extended by democratic
enthusiasm, and sustained by democratic power But
there problem 10 solve. There were two
generals in the field. The wings that military
thusiasm indispensable element of political
They saw, too, with evident dsmay that they had
lost influence by the war; and that the democrats had
gained Gen Taylor had tue start in the field, and Gen
Scott was got strong n enough The LEI could
separate Gen. Taylor from The administration and
him to account The process commenced by abusing
the administration for having followed their advice, in
permitting Gen Scott to supersede Gen Taylor as com
manderi chief OF our forces Mexico The troops of
the latter ordered away by the former and the gov
general The of Gen. Taylor were exalted into
acts Of virtue and herosn, because condemned by
couraged well calculated 10 bias "Oid Zack" (as
called him) against his government The war was
censured, but the chefta praised lie had inspired
the people with grateful for his patriotism and
though his success deemed unrighteous his inhu-
was counted holy because it seemed to be avail.
able
Having had no experience but in the army no action
but in battle he represented to be the lvocate of
peace Having devoted time The study of the great
topics OF legislation and formed opinions questions
OF our national policy, he was declared wing The
process OF forming the hero into profound statesman
was work of sudden accomplishment. His military re-
ports became specimens of classical beauty His order,
oaces, and his letters declared to be learned
dsquisons upon the rights and duties of nations His
ignorance became modesty, and his hmness patriotism
He compmented for what he said but more partc-
uary for What he did not say He found himself car
ried forward through the various stages of formation
without much If any, act of his own will. He began
being friend 10 party because all parties en-
gagged in "thrustng greatness upon him" As they
wheeled into action before him. he responded according
TO the force OF the different sections. Democrats, wings
ners and he bowed all alike until he could count their
numbers. When the wings out numbered all others, he
declared himself to be whig but no, an ultra Wttg
When the contest came, the wings soely divided
but party machinery controlled the OF DIVISION
and General Taylor declared their candidate. Muir.
loud and at first, but they died away
as expectants fed with hope, conscience part
sans were driven By the force of self respect to other
ranks Many democrats had declared the nselves in his
favor and many who opposed to party men, sup
posed that he would make citizen Presiden-a Presi-
wa; MADE TO speak as partisan against his WILL and if
ne declined to utter his opinions in his letters, his
icnds were sure TO render it unnecessary by speaking
Tor him IN their circulars and in their extras
ny combination oil deceptive promises and mpIlsye
sentiment. be was elected President The democr ats
gave him body, the wings a dress He was found in
Mexico ana escorted home. He discovered him. elf