The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-08-16

ader-general In 1888 he was given the chief
command In Florida and two years later he was
put In charge of the southern division of the
western department of the regular army and
transferred his family home from Louisville to
Baton Rouge, La.
Then came the Mexican war and with 1t Tay-
-lor's chance for winning the glory that WAS to
make him President of the United States.
His victories at Pao Alto. Resaca de la Palma
Monterey and Buena Vista made him national
hero even though most OF the credit for those
victories belong to some OF his subordlnates-
West Pointers mostly who destined for
future fame as generals In the Union and Con-
federate armies during the War Between the
States So the nation which had sent Jackson
and Harrison to the White House because OF
their fighting records began talking of another
military hero President. At first Taylor would
have none OF 1t. When visitor to his camp ven
tured to toast him as the next President, the
blufr old general exclaimed "Stop your nonsense
and drink your whiskey!"
More than that, when friend General Young
OF Newcastle, Del. wrote to him urging him to
accept the honor II 1t were offered him, Taylor
replied In part.
"Your remarks In relation to my being can
ddate for the President are very fattering, but
think you will know without the necessity OF
saying so to you. that am not and shall never
be an asplrant for that honor. My opinion has
always been against the elevation OF military
chief to that position. We must choose a states
man able to control the people at home and ele-
vatc the credit of-the country abroad. The ILL.,
advised manner In which my name has been
used In New York In reference to this matter I
fear will do me injury and embarrass me In my
military capacity. My best energies | shall,
however, devote to the prosecution OF this cam
palgn and which / sincerely hope will tend to
peace"
But despite this attitude, the talk persisted
and TAYLOR seems to have become receptive to-
ward the idea. The wings, anxious to regain
power from the Democrats by using the prestige
of Taylor's military record. nominated him with
out knowing where he stood on any political
questions and TO cap that formulated no plat
form for him. In fact, for time after the
nomination they did not know whether or not
he would accept By curious mistake he had
not received his letter Of notification. They had
forgotten to prepay the postage on the letter and
at that time the post office carried letters and
collected from the receiver. Taylor, on his plan
tation In louisiana to which he had retired
after the Mexican war, not knowing the contents
OF the letter which came to him, refused to &C
cept the letter and pay the postage on 1t.
But eventually he learned that he was the
nominee and somewhat " sC "hiuseMchA " tax
country stated that The was Wing, but not ar
Ultra Whlgn Whether he was or not didn't seen
to make much difference and In the election Of
1910 he was the victor over Lewis Cass OF Mich
gan the Democratic candidate He was inaugu
rated In March 1850, but he did not live long Il
eniov the highest honor that had been conferred
unon him On the Fourth OF July he took par
In the ceremonies connected with laying the cor
nerstone Of the washington monument In the Ma
tlonal Capital. 1t was hot day and In an efror
TO cool off the President drank great deal Q
cold water and iced milk followed by a substan
tIal dinner An hour later he fell violently II
and five days later, July 8. 1850, ne died.
oby western Newspaper Union.