The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-10

FIRE. surh a eallousness to danger is better than
too great caution, certainly and General Taylor
must DO admitted to be the best Judge how far IL Is
pedert TO mpart courage 20 others by his example
The otl or flag, sent on the 22d, was despatched
20 co,asns,ns o1 81 esrs Meko lean
Tut on, against a destructive lire. The officer by
whom IL sent Mr.. Cri.tenden, who acted as
General Taylor's aid was carried 10 spite Of hi, re-
mopstrapces to Santa ma nd-foldsd. The Next
can gen. asked his missen lie replied that he had
DO message the nder but that be was sent
TO AK detac he'd force to surrender the eu-
sion Of blood and rs bis errsnd unsuccessful he
denan ded to bs sent back 60 his general IL then
that eanta Anna requested him TO tel. General Taylor
that II he would surrender he would be protected aud
well cared FOR. Mr. Crtenden replied that he had no
commission to speak witt him Santa nna) upon that
or any other matter "Itis, however he added, "of
never surrenders."
This sentence has passed into motto. Another,
the expression OF General Taylor himself is scarcely
less famous The artillery In this engagement,
and from the celebrity and skin with which 1t was ham
died the salvation OF the day thar once the
Americans may indeed be said 10 have been the
verge Of defeat three times On OF these cason
when the crisis appeared most eminent, General Tay
Tor rode up behind the gallant who working
for life against fearful odds. "a little grape,
Captain Bragg ~ said the GENERAL in calm voice
rs II he we're making an indifferent suggestion The
cool and collected manner of the commander put
life into the men-and little more grape CALAMITY
served turned the scale and the xicsns driven
back ufHrt
The history Of the battle of Busna Vista il full Of in
stances OF daring and gallant conduct The ar
made by Taylor gave his force tho advan
tags of position Had he fallen back Monterey,
recommended he would there, with his small force,
have been shut up and could but ha Loaf all the
which the taking ~ that place conferred
But by maintaining his positions in advance, re-
DO turned, and making . stand at Buens via
Ia, where the nature Of the ground gave him
protection, he made all the fierce courage Of
his men, and their abiding resolution, avail
able In his account Of the battle, Santa Ann
admits that !" by this movement hts first plans and
dispostions founded IN an expected resistance lat
Aqua Nueva) we're rendered abortiven The military
skin Of Ger eral Taylor shown In his general plan
the courage and patient OF commander and
seemed three times TO have been lost. The Mexicans
we're even more posted In the battle Of
parity Of force. Yet how different the result!
. A. one time the second Kentucky regiment which
naa been ordered to column hard pressed ~
Ing gulleys and obstructons, presented at distance
ell the appearance Of sopfusion and disorder This
will not do" said icy or who Watching the field
intenty this Is not the way for Kentuckans to BE-
have tins nselves!" Mr. Crittende to whom the re-
mark addressed, could make no reply for morta-
cation; and both Taylor and Crittenden trembed tor
the honor Of their State.
But in a few nom nts the Kentuckians had crossed
The uneven places and we're ascending the slope
of the valley shoulder to shoulder, with the Arm and
regular step of veterans of hundred fields On they
ih.y M. 'pey Sors ss .s Of
advantage had subsidized Here they delivered their
ire with such regularity and dsa ely aim, that the
decimst phalsnI of Mexico gave way and retreated
precipitstey As the kcntuckians emerged from the
valley the eOunienauce Of the old general, who was
regai ding them with the ntenest interest," gradually
relaxed the bltt rness OF its expression glow Of
pride sopplsnted tne deep notification which nxed
lite muscles aud esthu.ssm qnslhed the fierce glance
gyze, whose feelings became more and more wrought
rtp ~ they approached the scene of carnage. when
they opened their fire. the old general could no longer
Iestrsin his admiration, but brsko forth with loud
Luara-"Hurrah for old Kentucky"
At the close Of the Mexicas GENERAL Taylor re-
tired to his plantation at Baton Rouge. Louisiana lie
had game the esteem OF his countrymon oy
hs long and valuable OF public service the pro-
nine points Of which have been briefly sketched and
hi- became associated with the highest gin
Of the pectss the Presidency Of the United states.
ws1Iy ury'a IN every section Of The country and tho
press w.re prompt in brissipg the history OF hi:
States Tts popular viii sele.ied him as candidate
for the PRESIDENCY, and that We gave all possible
weight 10 its oppression In thsse columns has never
teen other than q subject 81 pride add qualification
The r,sun showed that we had not made erroneous
estimste OF public opinion. BY the summer OF lsss
conservative nsjority, VINO stand aloof from party
poticsb bad In pressed their Dat upon the active poll
tcians Of the land and subsequently, General Taylor
the popular candidate Of tho whis conventions
lie was, as all well know triomphantiy elected and
the fourth Of March, 1890 vas tnductcd into the
honors Of the chief msgisrsey This civil position 10
necessarily trying to military man, whose sense OF
that Of the professional politician The theory his
presidential course was admirably calculated to give
satisfaction to bis counrymen IL was high toned, en-
principle. Unfortunately, however, the men cho-
sn to assist his eounsels aud policy, after q few
months of probation, displayed such want OF pa
triotirm and practical sasscity-becsm so Involved
Ia the mists Of their conceptions, and in
the very remarkable plans Of their own originating,
that they placed President Taylor In very dangerous
position. We have rrason to believe that he would
have trumphed by their dsmssa at the earliest prsc.
tcsbe moment and, indeed Just - soon A. no could
have found materials for new cabinet. Tho snar
however. In which the Clayton cabinet has mingled
every thread Of public Affairs IA not an inviting ono
and the sad event which all deplore, alone can cut
that Gordan knot Of political eDtanglement that has
seemed to defy the general will Of the people and even
the results Of events which have been oontumscioy
resisted.
President Tayior's character a. . civn magistrate
has bssn rather negative than positive. The whole
country have acknowledged him TO be, In the ofsess
patriotic honest sincere vrtuous sad free from
personal ambition. This In lofty euosy upon one,
whose military glory woi d. can dignity or exht
and to whom the whole civilized world has paid the
hcmsge Of admiration. He has gone down 20 the
slsnt chambers Of death with enviable fame, while
his memory viii live In the hearts Of his countrymen
vhs VERBALLY deplore his sudden loss at one OF
the moot critical periods Of the confsderacy a. ma
tiorsl cslsmity.