Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-26

cassfuly thus far obtained the control OF his thoashs
and opinions from attempting the measure Should
the General be the successful competitor Tor inc irts'
dencv what American who feels to- the hohor ahac
racter of the government would consent '',at VIZ
Executive should for one day, nay one hour be con-
trolled in the exercise Of his official nnct'ohs ny Gu
bal or any collection of political friends: And rs thee
not too much danger 70 be apprehended, u'at W uo
an event. YOU, gentlemen, would aspire 70 '''e us''.o
ton of exercising such control: put y TO our com,
mon friends 10 look the facts, and TO honestly ana
fearlessly make the conclusions in sober earnest
But il may emphatically be asked, Wheue. VI. ,"'
Their reasons you assign are such as ,ie sreat 'o'y ~
the Generals supporters are wiling 10 .Pp''.t 81
refusal TO give the reply asked: Ian II pe iu' ".!
will scree in the affirmation, that "lhe Uehera MAKE
no further declaration of his principles tor Me pune
enc, whilst occupying his present pos't'oh M
views in regard to the all-lmportant and eSchs 70
Nos nc Tho dav have heretofore been given to the pub
liz fill, and explicitly That new issue he made
"a tho nnblc from the consideration tia; The Naliona
Convention deemed il impotc 10 publish any genera
declaration of the views OF the great Opposition par
t,an Az sincere friend of the General, let me en-
on;re whether ne has expressed any public OPT
MON an The proprcty ofthe adoption OF general bahk-
run l,v nv Congress, that its operation might DC
eonal in all the States of the on'on Does not tle
world know that we are cntiTeiy III uie ""fh Us ~
The oninon Of General Harrison on thus point; II"
views of his having ever been publicly made IN reia-
t;on thereto: Who knows his opinions on the question
of u s or National Bank and who can possibly zen
whether he is in favor OF, or against the reception oi
and refarrnu petitions for the immediate abolition OF
slavarv within the District of Columbia: What posi-
HE onnor,pnity has the General had, as public man,
IN make ,pressions of his views public on the three
simpe questions which honorable man, seeking lot
Gle walton to the highest office in the gut OF the people,
would desire to conceal or AVOID: lnaeea, we haSe
hs own published opinions some years sInce mat pup
lie men should never seek to avoid answering qncs-
lions of public character and that the ctZch was
of right entitled full and explicit answer from all
who sought office and public confidence on such occa-
slons. ;,
cannot therefore conceive why the General should
not only permit bis publicly avowed opinions to be con-
tradicted, at this tme through the medium OF conn
mittee Of safety denying the obligation OF The Genera
10 reply to the nerrogaores contained IN respecuu
communications but especially the present occasion,
coming ii does from those "who entertain the high
est regard for his vast services and hope, should he be
elected to the highest Office for which he nominated
nothing will 10 lessen him in The estimation OF
great and free people. This is certainly at war win
his former conduct and variance with the first prln-
ciples which should regulate the cohGuct OF P"oHc
men.
But you say, gentlemen, that she makcs no further
declaration Of hes principles fUr the p"She ryc.-Do
YOU mean them that he is prepared TO make further
declarations Of his principles for the private eye This
would seem to be the inference from your language,
and would well agree with the policy and spirit OF your
letter regret this most sincerely, fsuch the course
which shall be for the future followed, and trust most
ferventy, that some guardian angel may interfere TO
arrest so fatal and suicidal policy Let not be said
that the General soldier of much renown, and so
worthy of the highest honors of the country has one
language official and other confidential on the same sub
ecs That to the public he will interpose obstinate
silence and keep his lips Theoretically sealed, while to
others, under the seal Of private confidence he wtree-
" communicate different views the qnestons
so to please and accord with those to whom they
thus con6den,ially communicated Strong as the pre-
sumption to be in favor of the adoption Of such
policy, do devoutly trust that there is yet resou
ton enough left in the breast of this old patriot TO
spurn the detestabe line Of policy marked out for HIM
and TO eject from his presence and confidence, all
such ssconiidentia advisers. If he does not shame,
dshonor, and defeat will assuredly follow such
a course, as the diurna revolution of the earth on
its own axis There cannot be, there ought not
to be, any conceulment with public men OH ques-
tons Of public character Like the dews of heaven,
which fall the possessions othe Just and the unjust
all men have right TO know and receive them They
are not the property of the possessor: and cspc
call, at this time, have the nation an undenable
right to the opinions of General Harrison all matters
of public interest He is bound by every consideration
of duty to make them fully and promptly known If
this is denied by any portion of his friends, and he per-
mits himself their councils and refuses then
let him understand that soldier of the Revolution,
nor of the subsequent hclgerent contests in which We
have been engaged, one who duly regards his
honor, support for public elevations who
thus denies to his counrymen OF the inaenable
rights of treemen.
| ask of you, gentlemen to retrace yonr steps, to
dsband your confidential committee, and permit the
Generals thoughts and actions TO be free the air
he breathes Let the old soldier return to his native
candor, and his frank and generous heart will dis
dain all petty subterfuges, and scout all species Of in
direction.
Believe me- gentlemen, the nterrogatories PROFOUND
ed by the Oswego Union Association, are pregnant
with much which the interest Of the people Of
this republic; and the honor and interests of Gen Har
rison and that Of his supporters intimately connected
Herewith You may possibly satisfy your friends that
actual force has been perperaed to obtain your con-
troll, but the moral condition of HIM whom you make
your prisoner will not be in the least elevated the
estimation ofthe people.
| In conclusion, whether you follow the advice here
suggested not, trust there yet enough of the
Generals friends, who will the absolute necessity
of disodgng you from your position, and restoring him
to the free and uncontrolled exercise Of his volt
ton.
am, gentlemen, most respectfully, personally, and
politically, your friend and obedent servant,
JAMES HENDERSON.