The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-07-21
GEN. HARRISON'S OPINIONS.

1-No"Cofu Wv H. 1ototeS"to"'
GEN. HARRIsON's OPINIONS.
1t may be recolIected that in his letter to James
Lyons, Gen. Harrison alluded to another letter
which he had written TO the committee OF the
Wing members Of the Legislature Of New YORK,
in which he had referred TO his former letters and
speeches on all important questions The reply Of
Gen. Harrison, to the letter of the committee, we
are able to lay before our readers to-day
There now be pretext for tho charge OF
concenlment of principles against Gen Harrison;
on every important subject, except such as belong
to the future legislation OF Congress, he is fully
committed.
NORTH BEND, o. May IL, 1870
GESTLrMEN,--
| vour latter o. the 25th February, conveying the
| proceedings of a ,oeetng of the Legislature, con
vened in the capitol &c the State on the 22d of that
month.
beg YOU to believe, Gentlemen, that am deep
" impressed with the honor, which has been con.
ferred upon me by the distinguished oody, whom
on this occasion you repI esent. The great objec;
of both nv civil and military life has been to serve
nv country to the of my Abilities aDd to ab
tain its appreciation. The hope of this has Often
cheerod me in circumstances of great difficulty and
embarrassment
You will pardon me, I trust, it in this letter
go mewhat beyond the mere purpose Of acknowl
edging the receipt of your communication, and use
the occasion for making a few remarks, which cir
cnmstances seem to require from me- in respect to
a declaration of opinions, or pledges, to my fu-
lure conduct, required OF candidates for high othc-
es.
My public life, now not short one, is before the
country. My opinions on important subjects, have
been expressed II ON time TO time those subjects
have arisen, and since my name has been mention
ed among those from whom selection might be
made for the Office of President, have in several
letters to friends fully and frankly avowed my
ments. Farther than this, cannot suppose in
telligent persons could desire me to go. The peo-
pie OF this country do not rely on professions prom
Is unprir cipled, he will not scruple to give any
| pledge that may be required of him, aud as little
will he hesitate to violate it. have already made
public the prlnci pies by which should be govern
ed if elected President far relates to the prop
er Executive duties of that office. But almost in
Vulnerable applications have been made to me, Tor
my opin ion relative to matters of legislation, or ev
en- to the proper mode of conducting business in
the two Houses of Congress. My published let
ers to Mr.. Williams, and Mr.. Denney will show,
that do not consider the President constituent
branch of the Legislature; yet il is impossible to
read the letters that have been addressed to me,
without believing that many of the writer's had a
dopted the opinion, that the Presidential Office
the proper source and origin OF all the Legislation
of the country; opinion, in my Judgment, at war
with every principle of the constitution, and of
deep and dangerous consequence. The prevalence
| of such sentiments, more than almost any thing
else, would tend to consolidate the whole snbsinn
( tal power of the Government in the hands OF a
single man; tendency which, " neither in or out
of office, feel il my most solemn duty 10 resist.
| ! ha va declined therefore to give any further
pledges opinions on subiec.s which belong to the
future legislation Of Congress -b"cause,
! LIST. conceive tor the reasons given in my let
iers to Mr. w LLIAMs and MIR. DENNY, that Con
eress should be- left much as possible untrammel
led by executive influence in the discharge of its
Legislative functions; aud that better guarantee
tor the correct conduct of u Chief Magistrate may
be found in his character and the course of his for
mer life, than in pledges aud opinions given during
the pendency Of doubtful contest; and that altho'
recognizing the right Of the people to be informed
of the leading political opinions Of the candidates
for Office trust, yet as it regards the subject upon
which the Legislature may be called to act, the
pledges and opinions should be required, if requir-
ed at all, of the candidates for Congress.
| I'd. Because, the habit of considering single
individual as the source from which all the meas
ures of government should emanate, is degrading
to republic, and Of the most dangerous tendency.
3d. Because, upon all the questions in regard to
which under any circumstances, it would be at all
proper for to make answers, my sentlmen Is
have already been fully and clearly given to the
public. in n to entitle them to crcoence, rs
j conceive thatsno honest man would suffer has
/ friends to publish documents in his name which
were not genuine, containing opinions which he
was not then willing to endorse.
| Accept, gentlemen, the assurance
| of my high regard
| w. ii. II HARRISON