Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-05-28
From the Georgia Argus,
TIE COMMITTEE

We publish to-day letter addressed to Gen
Harrison, from Oswego, ,and the replyto 1t by
his committee. We commend it to the espc-
cial attention of our readers. 1t is altogether
the most remarkable document that has ever
fallen under our notice.
Since the establishment of this Government,
it has been anestablished -assasnle that the peo-
ple had the right to ask at the hands ofthose who
were seeking to be intruSted with power un ex-
preston oftheir opinions upon all subjects con-
nected with the public interests. That this doc
trine should be maintained, with an uninlpaircd
force and that every man in the country should
feel That there rests upon every candidate Il Sd
cred ard paramount obligation to answer, is
of the deepest importance to the best interests
of the country. The people have right TO
know ola candidate what are his opinions, that
they may be enabled to Judge whether their
views and opinions are to be properly represen-
ted; and whether their rights and interests are
10 be preserved or destroyed.
Heretofore, in the whole history Of the Gov
ernment. there has not been found single in
stance within our knowledge, where n candi-
date for the sutlrages Of the people has dared TO
refuse to give such information, when required.
To Gen. Harrison has been reserved to make
this fearful inroad upon these principles of our
Govcrnment-to him has been reserved the
odious task Of declaring IN substance to tile
people of this country, that they are destitute of
the intelligence necessary tojudge what is for
their interest, and to determine what principles
are correct. To him has been reserved the
task of asking the the people of these United
States MOTTO trouble themselves about princi-
hples-not to ask him to declare his principles,
lest they may be dissatisfied with them; but leave
TO him the exposition of the great text book of
their political faith, to repose in him that "gen
erous confidence" which will be satisfied with
the belief that he knows better than themselves
what will be for their good, and that he will take
care of their rights and interests. And this
comes from the honest, frank old republican
soldier, of the Jeffersonian school. Even jack
son with all his willingness to "take the res.
sponsibility," never dared take such a respon-
bllity as this. Martin Van Buren, the magician
the essence of non-commitasln, dare not
venture upon stop which prcsulnes so much
upon tho Snhscrvcncy ofthe people. We had
thought. that when man had declared his opin-
ions and his principles, the people would be
maniieslinga sufficiently generous confidence"
when they should trust 10 his honesty to carry
them ont; but this is not sufficient for Gen. Har-
rison aud his party; they have not confidence
III WI
people, to trust to them n disclosure of his
principles; and yet, thcyask of this same pc"-
pie to manifest for him that blind devotion,
which shall inlr,lst to their keeping the RIGHT Of
thinking for them, and carving out opinions
aud principles. which they will not procaim.-
Other politicians have prolessed 10 be anxious
10 have their principles understood; to lay them
ont before the people, that they might inves:i-
gate and decide upon their merits. If this were
the mere whm Of man who thought proper
to pu, hnsclinp as candidate for the PrGsiden-
CIV; oruIa few foolish advisers, who might think
proper TO take linn into keeping. though 1t
would destroy every claim 10 the confidence
and the sulirages of the people, aud would en-
tireIy dcmosh every hope of success; yet, 1t
would present nothing to alarm the friends OF
our institutions. But this is not the case lie
is cmphaticaIv the candidate OF party seeking
power, for powers sakc-nOt because they
seek to vindicale from abuse the principles
upon which the Government was established,
and that party not only sanctioned. bntwe inay
fairly infer. have pointed out and directed the
adoption Of this Course. That committee says:
The committee are strengthened III regard 10
the propriety of his policy, that no new issue
be made to the public, from the consideration,
that the National Convention deemed it impoll-
tic at the then crisis, to publish any general dec
laration of the great opposition policy, and cer-
tainly the policy at the present remains unal'
tered"
Taking together then, all these circumstal-
ce,. it is but fair TO infer that the Conven-
lion nui ONLY sanctions, but drectcd this policy:
and when we see in this country, a great aud
powerful party, seeking to get into their hands
the whole power of the country, and to
aid them in ctfecting it, repudialing one of
the fundamental principles of our goverll-
men,; when we sec them setting up the doc
trnc, that policy forbds that the people shall be
made acquainted with the opinions and prin-
ciplcs of one, who is seeking through their SUI:
irases, station which places the destiny 0i the
country in his hands; we think it high time that
every man who eelsany interest in the welfare
or the honor the country, should begin 10 in
ouire why it is, that the usage which has been
sanc,ified by the opinion and example, of every
GOOD man in the country, until it has become
interviewer with the Fundamental principles
of our government, should now be setat naught.
In countries where men come into power hy
hereditary succession, where the people have
nothing to do with choosing them, where their
title To power depends upon their birth, and
not upon their principles; where the rights and
interests of the people, are 10 be consulted in
the choice of rulers; imight perhaps be consid-
cred improper and imperlnentfor the people
to be inqniriug into such matters, but in
country like this, where every man has voice
in the choice OF the public servants, and where
in order TO vote understanding he must know
the opinions of those between whom the choice
is to he made such doctWes cannot for mo-
ment be Observation-Disclosures it can be, the right
o(smlragc becomes fooling mockery.
The committee says "sucli course has been
adopted not for purposes of fconcealment-nott to
avoid any responsibility; but under the impress
sion that the Generals views in regard to all
the important and exciting questions Of the day,
have heretofore been given TO the public, fully
andexplicitly; and that these views whether
connected with constitutional or other questions
of very general interest, have undergone no
change" Now. supposing this 10 be true, what
excuse does IL afford for refusing TO answer those