The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-24


bitterness to .stagnate over The land like
the poisoned waters of Dead Sea. II
is not pleasant thing to recur to its files,
which constitute reservoir OF offensive
matter. Nor is it necessary to bring
specimens. A dreary uniformity of abuse,
an inveterate monotony of detraction,
where an intense spirit of vituperation
seems to struggle under the restrictions of
a meagre vocabulary, marks the whole
course Of that journal towards President
TAYLOR and his Administration, since the
accession of the former to the chair of the
Chief Magistracy. And this course, as
we have said, was deliberately marked
out-frst, to defeat his election; and,
failing in that, to break down his Admin
istration, if possible, and destroy him in
the confidence of the people.
Against system of political warfare
thus projected and carried on, what can
be done but to turn to the great tribunal
of the public in vindication of the popular
voice which called General TAYLOR to the
Presidency Unjust and calumnious as
saults must lose their force when the pur-
poses which prompt them are exposed.
For it cannot happen in country like
this, where an intelligent public sentiment
prevails, that truth, and worth, and pub
lie virtue, and character, founded upon
high qualities of excellence, and eminent
for great and distinguished services, are
to be beaten down and overwhelmed by
any violence of detraction or political vim
dictiveness
That General TAYLOR was illustrous as
military commander before he became
President of the United States, is fact
known, and gloriously known, to the whole
country and to the world. 1t was known
to the people of the United States before
they called him to the Presidency. Another
fact has been familiarly known ever since
History had a beginning-the fact that no
mode of life is more calculated to draw
forth and test and strengthen the strong
and sterling elements of human character,
and to disclose the weak ones, than that
which calls a man to deal with the stern
realities Of military services.
A faculty Of government is essential to
every one who would control armies, d.
rect campaigns, encounter foes, and chal-
lenge victory to his standard. The high
est qualities of character are involved in
that combination Of gifts and abilities that
constitute a great commander; and while
General TAYLOR has shown, in manner
not TO be mistaken, that he possesses these,
his career has also demonstrated that the
vices which are ascribed to military chief
tains, as the Accomplishments of success in
war, have never fastened themselves upon
him. There can be pointed out no act of
his life in which he has manifested any
disposition to transcend the proper limits
of his duty or functions; not one instance
in his whole military course in which he
has shown disrespect to the civil author
tiles, or exhibited any thing like arrogance,
presumption, or an imperious temper. He
could teach an officious Secretary of War,
under late administration, to know his
place; and, no doubt, he has always been
as ready, and will continue to be as ready,
to rebuke any unwarranted intrusion into
his sphere of duties, as to respect the
functions of others acting under constitu-
tional authority.
But it is an error to suppose that Gene
raj TAYLoR's military reputation alone
was the cause of his elevation to the Pres
idency. The people of the United States
who can appreciate the merits and SER
vices of a successful warrior are not with
out discrimination in other particulars
also. They could see that the victories
OF their favorite general in Mexico were
the results of causes inherent in the man;
nor did the blaze of well-fought fields dim
their sight TO the perception of those
characteristics Of calm and clear iudg-
ment, sound understanding and sterling
worth, which drew their confidence as
strongly as his brilliant achievements at
tracted their admiration.
This, however, is no occasion for eulogy
or any thing that might seem like it. Whe-
Their General TAYLOR, in the estimation
of his political enemies, was qualified for
the Presidency or not, it has so happened
that the decision of that question was not
left to them. The people thought he was,
and he holds his position by competent
authority. Let those who assailed him
in advance, and who continue, in man.
ner equally senseless, to assai him now,
designate the act or the occasion where
in he showed himself unequal to the du-
ties of his office or slow to meet its
responsibilities. In the conduct of our
foreign relations, the Administration has
maintained the dignity and advanced the