Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-10-21

the electors may have a fairtopportuni-
ty of choosing those whose sentiments
best accord with their own. ! have
ever believed that every elector has
right to make this call upon those who
offer their services to the people, and
that the candidates are bound to answer
it. ] might it is true, avail myself of
the kind of exception which you make
in favor of those who have had an OPP
portunity of showing their political
opinions by their conduct. But as |
have no reason to dread the most min
ute investigation of my opinions, and
that my fellow-citizens may be ena-
bIed to compare my actions with my
professions, | offer you the following
outline of my political creed which
you may publish ifyou think it worthy
of place in your paper; this measure
is more necessary at this time, as some
of my new friends have very kindly,
in various handbills and other anony-
nous publications undertaken TO make
one for me, which Gf have correct
knowledge Of what / myself believe)
is "not very exact likeness of that
which | profess.
| deem myself Republican of what
is commonly called the Old Jeffersoni-
an School, and believe in the correct
ness Of that Interpretation of the Con-
sttution, which has been given by the
writings Of that enlightened statesman,
who was at the head Of the party, and
others belonging to it, particularly the
celebrated resolutions Of the Virginia
Legislature, during the Presidency OF
Mr.. Adams.
| deny, therefore to the general gov
eminent, the exercise ofany power but
what is expressly given to it by the
Constitution, or what is essentially
necessary TO carry the powers express
ly given into effect.
believe in the tendency of large
public debt to sap the the foundations
of the Constitution, by creating a mo-
MED aristocracy, whose views and in
terests must be in direct hostility to
those of the mass of the people.
| deem it the duty, therefore, of the
representative ofthe people to endea-
vor to extinguish it as soon as possible
by making every retrenchment in ex-
penditures ofgovernment that a proper
performance Of the public business will
allow.
| believe in the right Of the people
to instruct their representatives when
elected; and if he has not sufficient
evidence that the instructions which
may be given him come from a MAORI
ty of his constituents, that he is bound
to obey lhem, unless he considers that
by doing it he would violate the Con
stitution, in which case | think itwould
be his duty to resign and give them an
opportunity of electing another repre-
sentative, whose opinion would accord
with their own.
VIM. II. HARRISON.
In his letter to Harmon Denny, he pub
fishes the following rs the principles which
will govern him. if he should be elected
Presleent ofthe U. States.
81. To confne his service to a sin
gle term.
ell. To disclaim all right of con-
troll over the public treasure, with the
exception of such part of it as may be
appropriated by law TO carry on the
public service, and thEt to be applied
precisely as the law Emay direct, and
to be drawn from the treasury agreea-
bly, to the long established forms of that
department.
"'III. That he should never attempt
TO influence the elections, either by
the people or the Stale Legislatures,
por suffer the federal officers under his
control to take any other part in them
than TO give their own votes when they
possess the right of voting.
". That in the exercise Of the veto
power, he shonld limit his rejection of
bills to, 1st, such as are in his opinion
unconstitutional. Cd, such as tend to
encroach upon the rights of the States
or individuals. Sd, such as involving
deep interests, may in his opinion re-
quire more mature deliberation or refer
ence to the will of the people, to be as
certalned at the succeeding elections.
"V. That he should never suffer the
influence of his Office to be used for
purposes OF purely party character.
"Vl. That in removals from Office
OF those who hold appointments during
the pleasure ofthe Executive, the cause
OF such removal should be stated, if
requested, TO the Senate, at the time
the nomination ola successor is made"
And last, but not least in impor-
lance,
''VlI. That he should not suffer the
Executive department Of the Govern
ment to become the source of legisla-
ton, but leave the whole business of
making laws for the Union to the de-
partment to which the Coz stitutiou has
exclusively assigned it, until they have
assumed that perfect shape, where and
when alone the opinion Of the Execp-
tive may be heard"
IT. h