The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-04
From The Richmond Enquirer.
NOTIONS OF THE PRESIDENT ELE

AS Ten. harrison Is likey to be the President OF
the United States, it may be as well to lift another
corner of the curtain, and tell eren some of his
friends of some of the mysteries of finance which he
has supported in past times. 1t is wonderful what
metamorphosis he has undergone. lie seems in
deed to be all things to all men. He may be found
on most sides of most gueslions-though his popu-
larity points now, and has generally done so, to
the federal polar star. The following singular de-
velopment is new to the wings and, indeed, has
never been made public during the whole course
of the recent agtatcd campaign. But, as General
Harrison is NOW likely to occupy the white house,
his recent elevation mpars an additional conse-
quence to all his past, though diversified opinions :
Extracts from Gen Harson's Address to the electors of
Hamilton county" Cincinnati, Oct 9th.
81 consider it, however, the duty of every per-
son who is held up us candidate to represent any
portion of his fellow citizens, to disclose to them
his sentiments upon any subject which involves
their interests that they may be better enabled to
Judge of his fitness to serve them. Upon this prn-
ciple have been ever ready to give such explana-
ton, not only to collected body of citizens but
even il properly called on, to single eector. No
man in this free country who is candidate for the
suilrages of the people, has right to complain of
any investigation of his political principlcs-of any
scrutiny Of his public conduct and character, if
fairly and candidy conducted but he has right
to complain of general denuncialion, bottOmed
upon no crime or even error in his conduct, or for
the supposed possession of opinions which the
slightest investigation would have shown that he
never entertained. Such has been the conduct
pursued towards me, and which has compelled me
to make this appeal to my fellow citizens"
[Iow far the orator Mum has redeemed this
pledge, by declining to answer all questions to
friend or foe, except such us to be confined to
the private eye, the deponent saith mott
Again MY opinion upon the subject of
banking generally, is not very different from that
expressed in the resolutions. Could !, without a
violation of a compact, destroy every bank in the
U. S., and substitute in the place Of their paper,
metallic currency equal to our necessities would
do it tomorrow. ] have never yet met with IA
man who was more opposed to the establishment
of the Bank of the L. 5. than was and, yet !
am director of one of its branches, In the course
of the last session, voted to put it down in every
shape in which i, appeared, and yet amt branch
director. used all the influence in my power to
induce the Secretary of the Treasury to take the
d,,n,;,o, from, tLa hrunch hnn. in NH, cty and
place them in bank in which had not a cent of
interest; and yet am branch bank director. Is
this conduct unintclligible to the authors of the
resolulions' Charity iorbids me to suppose that it
is. II, then, they can find the solution within their
own bosoms, why should they suppose that other
men are not as honest as themselves, and that
mans being bank director shuts his heart to cv-
cry noble and honest feeling, and would cause him
to violate duty second ony to that which he
owes to his God-his duty to his country. have
said that was opposed to banking institutions gen.
orally, and particularly the Bank of the L.. $. In
the latter, view an institution which may be con-
verted into an immense political engine to strength
en- the arm of the general government, and which
may at some future day be used to Cypress and
break down all state governments"
["And yet" the General, who plays all such
parts, not only at different times, but what is more
paradoxical, at the same time, is now willing to
sign bank bill of the U. s., although it is con-
trary to the constitution, which he will swear to
support; and although it may sat some future time
be used to Cypress and break down the state gor-
ernmcnis." Aye, n second Daniel come to judg-
mcnt
And reader What say you to lhis' You have
seen Gen. Harrison come out, and declare upon
abstract grounds in favor of "a metallic Currcncu
equal to our necessities pariakng somewhat of
the odor Of the sub-Treasury system. Blu! in the
course Of the same address, what do we see him
recommend See, srs, in the following precious
moroccan a favore nostrum: " again rccur to the
question, what are the remedies for the present dis
tress' My opinion is, that they to be found in
the general government-who should (by an issue
of bills Of credit, or some such means) provide
circulating medium" sc. &c. This is indeed
precious measure. Government or treasury bills,
to supply circulating medium; no doubt whether
they be convertible, or not +! And yet this is the
profound political economist, whom his friends
have been so anxious to elevate to the first execu-
tive Office in the republic.l