Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-09-17

mlttee OF which you we're memOerI
that | would not take any part in the to.
roclous contest now raging throughout
the country, further than by giving my
vote on the day ofelection, did not ex
pect 10 be called upon again TO abandon
this purpose, especially by one of the
members Of that committee. You mis-
understand the reasons which induced
me to form this resolution, if you sup
pose it can be changed either by repeat
ing to me the unmerited commendationS
of two partial friends, or the infamous
and malignant falsehoods Of those whom
despise too much TO call them foes.
have no reason to believe that could
influence a single vote any where If
would, and | am very sure that ] would
not if could. My opinions upon any
subject, when regarded as Of sufficient
consequence to be sought for by any Of
nv acquaintance, have never been with !.
held from them; nor will they ever be
concealed from any one. These opin-
ions, in regard 10 the respective merits
of the two candidates for the Presiden~
tiaI Office, were given to the members Of
your committee, when asked for by them,
as they had been before given TO several
other persons Of both parties, and as they
have been repeated to such persons since.
ohtrude them upon none, but ! am a.
Indifferent who may know them, as ! am
by whom they may be approved. They
are my opinions, and would continue to
be such although no other being on earth
might concur with me.
: Upon these opinions, as formerly said
to you. shall act at the approaching
election, by giving my suffrage in favor
of the present President, and Of conse.
quence against his opponent. have an
acquaintance of some standing with both
the candidates, founded upon a service
with each of them for several successive
years in the Senate of the United States.
This acquaintance justifes me in saying
of each, that he is a we'll bred gentleman,
of mild and amiable manners and deport-
ment, aud so far as either know or be-
lieve, of irreproachable private character.
General Harrison is my senior by sever
al years, | know, and therefore, he cam
moi be much short of seventy. Mr.. Van
Buren, is my jnniOr by more years.. be-
lieve, than General Harrison is my SEN
ior. In their political course these gem
! tlemen have generally differed; and while
, we were all associated as members Of
the Senate of the United States, it was
. my fortune TO differ sometimes with BOTH
The occasions of my difference with Mr.
|. Van Buren,, were few and rare; but with
o General Harrison, do not remember
). single subject, involving any question Of
constitutional law, or ofhigh political ex-
pediency, as 10 which we ever cOncurred..
And on the few occasions in which I
' differed with Mr.. Van Buren, he was as
sociated with General Harrison. Hence,
it cannot be matter Of surprise to any,
thai when placed in a situation where |
am to choose between two persons, with
neither of whom do | agree entirely, |
should prefer him with whom ! have of
3 ten uniled both in opinion and action, to
J, him with whom have invariably differ.
$ ed.
+ | state these things that, knowing the
/ effect which is sOmeti les produced up-
d ON human minds by frequent and long
continued conflicts of opinion upon sub
e ects Of much interest, you may appreci-
e ate as you please the sentiment have
j. often uttered, and will therefore again re-
n peat, that. in my judgement, General Har-
i rson is both physically and Intellectual
n y incompetent to perform the many, va
e ried, arduOus, and important duties which
!. must devolye upon every President Of
J, the United States; that il is not prudent
!, to expose our Country to the certain per-
lis which must await it, should its desii--
d nies ever be committed TO q President
!. by accident, in times of difficulty and
o high excitement, and that such Gates
!. irOphe is always probable, when one is ell
n evaled TO the Presidential chair who has
Q already reached the full term ordinarily
j. considered MS the limit Of mans life.
:. To kind letter from friends in dis.
h tant State, inQuIring what were my Opln''
|. ions of Mr.. Van Bdlen's administrations
!. have recently replied. A copy Of this
4 reply is now before me; and as il truly
!. represents my sentiments upon this sub
/ iect, will transcribe my answer to hs
n inquiry proponnded; 81 was opposed 10
f Mr.. Van Buren when he was first cam
!. didate for The Vice Presidential char,
n and my opposition 10 him was continued
y when he was afterwards candidate for
4 the station he now holds. Upon each OF
these orcasinns, there we're other candid
a'es who, as thought, agreed with my
opninns more exactly, and whom, there's
fore, preferred Entertaining such Sc l.
9 timents, have watched his course, since
e = he came into power, with vigaleDce
l that might not, perhaps have been used
= bv me under other circumstances. Yet,
= with all this vigaIence, have not been
U ~. .. .laannt n sinnla unconstitutional