Alexandria Gazette

Gen. Taylor,

The following sketch of the character of Gen. Taylor is just and discriminating. We copy it from the New York Journal of Commerce:

The great mass of the people wish for rulers who have sagacity to discern and integrity to pursue the best interests of the country; or who at least can hold the helm so steady as to allow the ship of state to float safely on the current of her destiny. The people wish for peace and security at home and abroad: not agitation of any sort at their cost, and for the benefit of demagogues.

Under all these circumstances, the advent of such a man as Gen. Taylor cannot but be hailed with universal joy. It is not for his military prowess chiefly, that the people admire and love him. It is rather, that he is the friend of peace: though if war is his duty, firm as a mountain, and terrible as a tempest. It is not that his garments are crimson with blood, but that he has ever been careful of life, and never shed one drop of human blood in passion, or to gratify any selfish feeling. The people admire him because he is wise, sagacious, independent, modest, careless of himself and careful only of his duty. His career as a military commander has served merely to exhibit the great qualities of his mind and heart. Other military men may have exhibited equal skill and courage in command, and yet no other has attracted such deep affection. Too many military men seem to think always of themselves. They fight for their own glory in general, and die asking chiefly for admiration. But General Taylor is admired because he never seems to do any thing for himself, nor seems to think for himself. His military despatches will never cease to be admired as models of graphic description and modest eloquence. His letter to the Secretary of War, just drawn out by the call of Congress, will always be praised for its undisturbed dignity, in the midst of circumstances which would have unsettled the self-possession of almost any other man. His life is quite remarkable as a whole. He seems to have been successful in every thing yet never exhibiting exultation. Not one bad deed is attributed to him. Temperate, social, friendly and judicious, he is never in difficulty. A gentleman who was at the table with him, at the St. Charles, during his late visit at New Orleans, where the wine flew merrily round every day, says that the General lifted a glass to his lips but once, and then he did not drink. All his opinions expressed to the Administration have been not only the opinions of a skillful Captain, but of a profound Statesman. If you are determined to maintain the Rio Grande as the boundary of Texas, said he, I commend the establishment of a post on its Eastern bank.— When the Mexicans, contrary to all expectation, came over the river, he asked that his small army might be reinforced with five thousand men: never dreaming of invading Mexico. What would the President not give now if he had done only what Gen. Taylor recommended?

The manner in which he treats the new honors which are tendered him, is in keeping with his whole life. He will not seek the Presidency. He will not accept the nomination or support of any party as such. He will not pledge himself to any party, old or new. He will not send out letters to lure votes. He will do nothing and be nothing but a good President if the people choose to have it so. There is an irresistible charm about all this, especially when contrasted with the game so much played heretofore. The people will not vote because they dislike him less than his opponent, but because they love him personally. Their votes will be for Gen. Taylor, not against any one else.— When he is chosen, he will not "be obliged to adopt the crude program of a nominating convention as his basis of administration. He will be a wise, benevolent, independent President of the nation. Let us make him that, and the Republic will fall into the track of her destiny again.