Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1839-02-14
LETTER FROM GEN. HARRISON
TO THE HON. HARMER DENNY.
NORTH BEND, Dec Cd


DEAR SrR:-As it is probable that you
have by this time returned to Pt,sburg, |
do myself the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter from Philadelphia,
containing tbs proceedings of the National
Democratic, Antimasonc Convention,
which lately convened in that city. With
feelings of the deepest gratitude. | read
the resolution unanimously adopted, nom
mating me as a candidate for the President
of the United States. This is the second time
thatI have received from that patriotic party
of which you Yourself are distinguished
member, the highest evidence OF honor that
can be given to citizen OF our Republic.
7 would attempt to describe the sense OF
the obligation owe them, ifl were not
convinced that any language which could
command, would fall far short of what |
really feel. If however the wishes Of the
convention should be realized, and if |
should second their efforts, shall have 1t
in my power TO manifest my gratitude IN
manner more acceptibeto those whom you
represent, than by AIRY professions OF 1t
which could at this time make; l mean
bv exerting my utmost efforts to carry out
the principles set forth in their resolutions,
by arresting the progress OF the measures
destructive to the prosperity of the people
and tending to the subverson OF their lib
critics" and substituting for them, those
sound democratic republican doctrines, up
on which the administration OF Jefferson
and Maids on were conducted.
Among the principles proper to be ad-
opted by any Executive sincerely deslrous
to restore the Administration, to its origin
al simplicity and purity, deem the follow
ing to be Of prominent Importance. :.
I. To confine his services to single
term.
II. To discaim all right of control over
the public Treasure, with the exception OF
such part of it as may be appropriated by
law, to carry on the public servl ces; and
to be applied precisely as the law may d.
rect, and draw from the treasury agreeaby
to the long established forms of that de-
partment.
III. That he should never attempt to
influence the elections, either by the peo-
p!e or the State Legislature, nor suffer the
federal officers under his control to take
any other part in them, than by giving
their own votes when they possess the
right OF voting.
w. That in the exercise of the veto
power, he should limit his rejection of Bills
to: lst. Such as are in his opinion uncon-
stitutional. Cd. Snch as tend to encroach
on the rights of states, OF ofindlviduals.
Sd Such rs involving deep interests, may
in his opinion require more mature deliber-
alton or reference to the will of the people,
10 be ascertained at the succeeding cleo
tons.
V. That he should never suffer the IN
Guence Of his office to be used for the pur-
poses Of purely party character
VI. That in removals from office, Of
those who hold their appointments during
the pleasure of the Executive, the cause o
such removal should be stated, If they re-
quest it, to the Senate, at the time that
| nom ination Of successor is made.
And last but not least in Importance,
VII. That he should not suffer the Eek
ecutivo Department of the government tc
become the source Of Legislation ; but
leave the whole business ofmaklng the law;
for the Union to be done by the department
to which the constitution has exclusively
designed it, until they have assum ed tbs
perfected shape where and when alone the
opinions of the Executive may be heard
A community of power in the preparation
of the laws between the Legislature and the
Executive Departments, must necessarily
lead to dangerous combinations, greatly tt
the advantage of a President DESTROYS o.
extending his power. Such a construction
could never have been contemplated b.
those who framed it, as they well knew
that those who propose the bills, will always
take care of themselves, or the interests O
their constituents, and hence the provision
in the constitution, borrowed from that o
England restricting the originating OF Re
venue bills to the immediate Rcpi esenta
tives of the people. So far from agreeing
in opinion with the distinguished characte
who lately retired from the Presidency
that Congress should have applied to hln
for a project of Banking System, L thinl
that such an application would have mani
tested not only great subserviency upon thu
part of that body, but an objectionable ig
norance ofthe chief danger to be apprehen
ded from such an institution. That DANCE
unqestionably consists in an union OF inter
ists between the Executive and the Bank
Would an ambitious incumbant of the Ex
ecutive chair neglect so fair an opporiunlt
as the preparing ofthe law would give hr
to insert in it pr DIVISIONS to secure his IN
fluence over it? In the authority given t
the President by the constitution 'to rec