The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-09

hale, combined with the singular unhealthiaess of the
American metropolis to break down a frame already
enfeebled by the hardships of professional service
There other stances attendant on the two
events which present very strange. though perhaps
wholly casual resemblance General Tay Tor and Ge-
neral Harrison held the same political opinions but
both engaged publicly to hold party ends in subordi-
nation to the general good Of their country Both
were originally selected by their supporters for their
personal popularity and for the their military
achievements, rather than for their political promi
nence or their presumed intellectual capacity Both
were men OF modest fortune Both were distinguished
by she frank and careless manners OF the camp Both
died mature in years but young in official experience
Both expired on the OF the settlement of great
and long debated question. 1t to be hoped that the
chain OF condolences is closed with the OF their
earthly existence, and that America and American
conservatives will not have the deep and bitter
to lament the death of President Taylor that
OF President Harrison.
The language of regret for General Taylor need not
degenerate into vague common place. 1t Is almest
matter of course on such to observe that the
private virtues of the deceased great, and his
conduct, as an individual exemplary. But the public
career Of General Taylor was credtatle to himself,
aud peculiarly valuable to his country The tru is
that contrary to the sntcpatons of many among the
most sagacous OF his party he proved TO possess very
considerable official aptitude He displayed mach
tact in dealing with personal questions of great diG
Guilty and delicaey, and his management Of hostile
Legislature and heterogeneous cabinet well nigh
admirable The distinguishing feature Of his charac
ter seems TO have been much enduring patience,
which would have served him instead of rarer quail
ties had he not possessed them The hopes of his
fulness in office which but faint before his
sion, were fast rising when he died nor, short
his career, is II likely to be speedily forgotten One
OF the very few admissible schemes that been
vance for the settlement of the great slavery
versy, will be identified with his name and even
should its adoption not secure him permanent place
among the civil luminsries Of the Union certain
to be remembered on other grounds. For his very de-
meanor in the presidency the nature of his policy
and the maxims Of public conduct which he proessed
were, nom peculiar circumstances of inestimable
value TO America. IL must not be forgotten that he
succeeded to the chair OF government critical PEE
rod President Tylers interruptions efforts to pur-
chase for himself party by the free handed dstrbu-
tion OF oica favors ana the alterations Of proigae
rec klesness and weak subservence TO popular passion
In the measures OF President Polk, had gone a very
long way to yiate the morality of the American go
v.rnment, II not of the whole American people Ge-
neral ray presidency arrested the current of
tisnal debasement Although he owed the reputation
which gained him promotion to that very Of
quest which his predecessor had fostered the new
ruler did not hesitate profess his adhesion to the
recognized rules OF public law which that same pre-
decessor had impudenty violated His behavior in
the matter Of the Cuban expedition exemplidsd the
principles OF his policy aud whatever shortcom-
ings we may have discerned in the measure of
justice which Spain has resolved at the hands Of
the American government, these were. in all pro-
liability, not the fault of its head This is instance
OF bis r.ctude OF purpose 10 which the attention OF
Europe has beeen directed hut must add that Ia
thousand minor points Withdrawn from aropean no
tice General Taylor so conducted him self as. in
great measure TO reestabsh the traditions Of orderly
rule which bad been well nigh lost and 20 restore the
dignity Of the executive, which had been grievously
Impaired The more we reflect on the history of the
American Presidents, the more are convinced that
the republic cannot do better than choose military
men to be its executive governors Many great pub.
icsts have deprecated such selections cunt Of
TIE assumed dissimsriy OF the generals and the
statesnan's sphere. Eut the only alternative to a
successful general "a successful party politician or
what in the United States is the thing
ful lawyer. We must confess con ider IL conclu-
syey proved by the demeanor in oce OF this latter
class that the qualities of mind by the law
courts the stump meeting and the provincial
bly, far substitute for the accomplish.
meIts Of a Statesman than the habits Of discipline
which camps foster and the drectness Of view which
strategy demands. Better run the chance of jack
SON. with his imperious obstinacy, than incur the
perils OF Tyler. Van Buren, CT n Polk.
We cannot venture to forecast the political
ounces OF this event The signal I'll Of Pre-
sident Tyler may be presumed TO have deprived his
example Of any attractions which II might possess
the gentleman who now occupies the suddenly va
cated seas. Indeed any conjecture be admissible,
st Is that President Fillmore viii draw more closely
together than did his amented predecessor the bonds
General Taylor, though he did disguise his pre-
dlection for vhg politics avoided the very appearance
q an entirely resided policy Mr. Fillmore, no seyer,
frisnd Of Mr. clsys IL not, therefore. improbable
that his measures may rctard that obteraon Of for
party distinctions which the rising Importance Of
sectional differences and the Catholic spirit the late
President we're combining TO hasten. Much greater
uncertainty attaches TO the influence which Mr. fil-
moIes accession may have In modifying the prospects
Of the slave question On the one hand we might SUP
pofe that. sinse the new President Is devoted to les
originator and since the chief rival scheme Ia no
longer nded by General ray or personal
thority, greet additional impulse will be comnuni-
ciays name But there seems TO DO a suspicion ano,t
that Mr Fillmore citizen Of the State Of New York.
l. somew hat biassed towards extreme Northern views
and disincned to accept settlement so favorable to
the South the Compromise bill In this case. the
small progress which the question has made Is likely
TO be retraced-and for this besides others the
loss Of General Taylor bids fair to be national mis-
fortune.
TaE CIRCULAR OF THE AMERICAN MINISTER.
On receiving the melancholy intimston OF the death
OF the Chief Magistrate ef his republic, the American
Minister at the court Of St. James issued the following
General Zachary Taylor, President OF the United
States expired at Washington on the 9th Inst after
very brief Illness This Intelligence Is too fearfully
certain 10 permit me 10 await It's Official announce
ment before inviting youto join In ths national sor
toned in youth to gers afrontier lifsenter
ing the service Of bis country In early MANHOOD
s ssnl, s,orss g.,nsa usasr sr.as s,sosv.n
tsges- had General Taylor died In the army. he
would have left behind him the name Of q brave
soldier. cautious In council arm In opinion. rapid
in execution. OF unquest,oned integrity humanity
and patriotism. higher fame vas reserved 70
nations OF the earth he exhibited TO the world under
circumstances Of rare trial sincerity, aPrudenoe,
aud moderation. combined with q hrmness sense
Of jurtise and patriotic devotion TO the honor and
true interests Of his csuntry, which for him
unlimited condolences at home and profound respect
abroad with consciousness Of the purity Of his
motives he sank into death. breathing the words
am prepared have endssvored to do my duty y
States and all others my countrymen in the United
Kingdom, TO manifest their sympathy in this sad
c"p n county hss o in ss hour q her need great
and good man Let us hope that. while his memory
epdures those who have tn. charge Of public az
fairs may emulate his patriotism. hts integrity his
Justice and his self and that
uynsn generally may strive 20 initiate the modest
efrrlsance ths purity. and the Kindness Of heart
which distin guishsd him In private lite.
ABBOTT LAWRENCE.
UNrrrp Srarrs LEeArloS, LoNpor,
July ~ 1850.
TIE cArISEr or GENERAL TAYLOR.
fFrom the London Times)
There a. believe that the maiady Of General
Taylor which speedily reach ed fatal termination,
had been aggravated, AZ not caused by the political
excitement and annoyance which roae 10 an extreme
height In the last days Of his life with excellent and
yatfiotic personal motives General Taylor had not
tecn fortunate IN the selection of his cabinet rather
that cabinet had been imposed upon him by the party