Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-07-16
sWISCeyECg2leO2ES.

ago, dlluSlOu Is uaue vi iS'''
by the General to the whie members OF
the New York Legislature. The Har.
rison papers asserted that this letter would
nut a, rest all doubts in regard to General
Harrisou's principles and opinions of The
principal topics Of The day. As the letter
vas not forthcoming, the democratic press
es called loudly for the publication of it,
The delay in publishing it appeared omi-
nous. At last it has made, its appearance
in the New York Courier & Enquirer
Here is The letter, without word OF COM
ment from us. If new light has been
thrown on the opinions Of Gen. Harrison,
we must confess that our optics are SO dull
that we could not perceive 1t; perhaps
some of ourreaders may be more fortunate
than we are.-AuguSta Constitution0tst.
NORTH BEND, (Ohio,) May 23, iSlO.
Gentlemeu-I have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of your letter Of The
25lh February. conveying the proceedings
of a meeting of the Wing members of The
Legislature, convened in The Capitol OF
the Srare, on the 22d ofIhat month.
beg von to believe, Gentlemen, that
I am deeply impressed With the honor,
which has been conferred upon ME by The
distinguished body. whom on this occasion
YOU represent. The great object of both
my civil and military lille has been to serve
my country, TO the utmost OF my abilities,
and to obtain its appreciation. The hope
of this has often cheered me in circum
stances of great difficulty and embarrass-
ment.
You will pardon me thrust, if in, this
letter, l. go somewhat beyond the mere
purpose of acknowledging The receipt OF
YOUR communication, and use the occa-
sion for making few remarks, which
circumstances seem TO require from mel
respect to declaration Of opinions. or
pledges, as 10 my future conduct, required
Of candidates for high offices.
NV public life, not now shor, one, is
before the country. My opinions on i'm
portant subjects, have been expressed
from time to lime, as those subjects have
arisen, and since my name has been men-
toned among those from whom selection
might be made for the Office oiPrc~idcnt.
have in several letters to friends, fully
sand frankly avowed my sentiments
Farthr from this, I. cannot suppose intel
ligent persons could desire me to co.
The people of this country do not rely on
professions, promises. and pledges-they
know, that if candidate is uuprucipled.
he will not scruple to give any pledge that
may be required ofhim and as little will
he hesitate to violate it. [ have already
made public s-principes by which |
should be governed, if elected President,
So far as rclales to the proper Executive
duties ofthat Office. But almost innumer'
able applications have been made to me,
for my opinions relative to matters of le-
gisla,iou, or even to the proper mode of
conducting business in the TWO Houses Of
Congress. My published letters TO MIR.
iiaraessadvA show thai
ent branch oflegislature; yet it is impossl-
bic to read the letters that have been ad-
dressed to me. without believing that ma
nv Of The writers had adopted the opinion,
that the Presidential office was the proper
source and origin oe all the legislation Of
the country; an opinion, in my judgment,
at war with every principle of the consti-
tuition: and Of deep and dangerous conse
quence. The prevalence of such senli-.
ments, more than almost any thing else,
would tend TO consolidate the whole sub
s,antial power Of the Government in the
hands Of single man, tendency which,
whether in or out Of Office, | feel it my
most solemn duty to resist.
have decliued therefore to give any
further pledges or opininus on subjects
which belong to future legislation of Con-
sress-because,
Ist. conceive, for the reasons given in
nv letters to Mr.. Williams and Mr. Den
nv, that Congress should be left as much
as possible untrammelled by the execn-
tive Influence in the discharge of its legisla-
tive functions; and that better guarantee
for The correct conduct of a Chief Masis-
trate may be found in his character and
the course of his former life, than in pledges
and opinions given during the peu6ency
Of a doubtful contest; and that, although
recognizing the right Of The people to be
informed Of the leading political opinions
OF the candidates for offices of trust, yet rs
it regards the subjects upon which the Le-
gisIature may be called to act, the pledges
and opinions should be required, if requir-
ed at all, Of the candidates Cor Congress.
I'd. Because, the habit Of considering
a single individual as the source from
which all the measures Of government
should emanate, is degrading to repub-
lie, and of the most dangerous tendency.
3d. Because, upon all the questions in
regard 10 which under any circumstances.
it would be at all proper for me to make an
swers, my sentiments have already been
fully and clearly given TO the public, in
manner to enl,le them to credence, as
conceive that no honest man would suffer
his friend to publish documents in his
name which were not genuine, or contain
ing opinions which he was not then willing
to endorse. Accept, gentlemen, the as
onrrnnn. nf hinh regard