Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-09-17
POLITICAL
Letter from Gen. Harrison.

DEAR SIR:-As it is probable that You
have BY this time returned to Pitsburg,
do myself the honor to acknowledge the
receipt Of your letter from Philadelphia
containing the proceedings of the National
Democratic Anti-masonic Convention,
which lately convened in that city. With
feelings Of the deepest gratitude, | read the
resolution unanimously adopted, nomina-
ting me as candidate for the President Of
these United States. This is the second
time that have received from that patriot
ic party, of which you yourself are dis
tinguished member, the highest evidence
of confidence that can be given to citizen
of our republic. would attempt to de-
scribe my sense of the obligations | owe
them, if were not convinced that any
language which l could command would
fall far short of what / really feel. If,
however, the wishes of the convention
should be realised, and if | should second
their efforts, | have it in my power to man.
ifest, my gratitude IN manner more ac-
ceptable to those whom you represent, than
by any professions of it which | could at
at this time make, | mean by exerting my
utmost efforts to carry out the principles set
forth in their resolutions, by arresing the
progress of the measures obstructive TO
the prosperity Of the people, and tending
to the subverson Of their libertles," and
substituting for them those sound democrat
ic republican doctrines, upon which the ad-
mistration of Jefferson and Madison were
conducted.
Among the principles proper to be ad-
opted by any executive sincerely DESTROYS
to restore the administration to its original
simplicity and purity, deem the following
to be of prominent importance.
l. To confine lis service to a single
term.
II. To disclaim all right Of control over
the public treasure, with the exception Of
such part of it as may be applied precisely
as the law may direct, and drawn from the
treasury agreeably to the long established
forms of that department.
III. That he should never attempt TO
influence the elections, either by the peo-
pie or the state legislatures, 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.
". 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; 2nd. Such as tend to encroach
on the rights of the states or individuals;
3rd Such as involving deep interests, may,
in his opinion, require more mature delb
Grafton or reference to the will of the peo-
pie, to be ascertained at the succeeding cleo
tons.
V. That he should never suffer the in
huence of his office to be used for purposes
of purely party character.
VI. That in removals from office of
those who hold their appointments during
the executive pleasure, the cause of such
removal should be stated, if requested, to
the senate, at the time the nomination Of
successor is made.
And last, but not least in importance.
VII. That he should not suffer the ex-
ecutive department ofthe government TO
become the source of legislation: but leave
the whole business of making laws for the
Union to the department to which the con-
sttution has exclusively assigned it, until
they have assumed that perfect shape,
where and when alone the opinions of the
executive may be heard.
The question may perhaps be asked of
me, what security | have in my power to
offer, if the majority of the American peo-
pie should select me for their chief magis-
trate, that | would adopt the principles
which have herein laid down as those
upon which my administration would be
conducted; could only answer 10y refer
ring to my conduct, and the disposition
manifested in the discharge OF the duties
of several important offices, which have
heretofore been conferred upon me. If
the power placed in my hands has on even
single occasion. been used for any pur-
pose other than tina, for which il was given,
or retained longer than was necessary to
accomplish the objects designated by those
from whom the trusts were received, will
acknowledge that either will constitute a
sufficient reason for tliscredilng any prom
Use may make, under the circumstances
in which am now placed"
WILLIAM II. HARRISON.