Rough and ready.
The New Orleans papers pay a just tribute to
Mr. Taylor, the only son of ‘"Old
Zack,"’ who is one of the most prominent, efficient and practical friends of the
Southern cause in the Louisiana Legislature.
Gen. Davis, the
President of the Southern Confederacy, married a daughter of the old Chief, and it will be remembered had some tart correspondence with
Gen. Scott whilst
Gen. Davis was
Secretary of War.
The old warrior of ‘"
Lundy's Lane̴’ has not always set that exemplary example of official subordination to superiors which he is now so rigidly enforcing, and, consequently, has involved himself in several ‘"paper wars," ’ in which he was badly damaged, exposing himself to a fire in the rear, and not responding very briskly to the fire in the front.
The sword, in his hand, is much mightier than the pen. We are glad to see ‘"Old Rough and Ready"’ still in the field, even though it be only in the persons of his family, for wherever his blood flows there must of necessity be truth, simplicity, integrity and the most exalted courage.
Hypercritical and jaundiced people may say what they will of
Gen. Taylor as
President, it is enough that he never aspired to that position, and was forced into it by those who knew that his mighty name would sweep the country and overwhelm all political opposition.
Suffice it that he did his best, that he was a patriot and an honest man, and that the country has been brought to its present condition — not by a deficiency of talent — but of disinterested public virtue — a quality in which
Gen. Taylor had no superior since the days of
General Washington. Talent is common enough, and any man who visits
Washington will find himself surrounded by smart rascals enough; but he would have to take a lantern to find an honest man. As a General, however, no one questions the debt of gratitude which this country owes to
Gen. Taylor. To him the chief glory of the
Mexican war is due, for he established the
prestige of the
American arms, taught volunteers to fight like regulars, and consummated a succession of glorious victories by the immortal
battle of Buena Vista, in which, with five thousand militiamen and one or two companies of regulars, he defeated the flower of the
Mexican army, twenty thousand strong, under
Santa Anna, thus enabling
Gen. Scott to make a comparatively easy march from
Vera Cruz to the
Capital, and reap the fruits of ‘"Rough and
Ready's"’ labors.
