Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1840-07-02
GEN. HARRISON'S LETTER TO MIR.
DERRIEN

Some weeks ago. our readers will remember,
John Macpherson Berien. Esq OF Georgia made
publication relative to letter which he had received
in 1896, from Gen. Harrison, touching certain topics
OF public interest, which then, as now, agitaed the
public mind; ren.afking, al the time, that he
had misiaid that leiier but giving its substance.
from memory. to the public He has since found
the letter Itself, and published it-and now sub
Join it, asking for il the emphatic attention of our
readers. We do this, not because il contains any
thing nelD bur because II does mol. There is
markabIe harmony aud consistency in Gen. Harm
sons opinions Indeed al whatever period, or under
whatever circumstances expressed, which show
thai they are the well dlgesled ospriog of en-.
lighlened aud conscientious Judgment equally
swayed by temporary interest, pas ION, or ambi-
llou-ol judgment hch seeks for aud is govern
ed by Truth lead whithersoeyer it may aud aft ct
as it may his personal aspirations How unlike is
he, in this respect, TO MI Van Buren,, whose opin-
ious variant aud adiclofy the Gibbs and
flows of popular oplnion--the advocate Of the Ms
souri Restriction, FOR example, when, only looking
10 the North for political enhancement, lac had never
dreamed oi the possibility that he would be thought
OF FOR the Presdency-and now, with that bold as
sault upon Southern rights unrepenled IL unrecan-
lted,pe,mtug hmsefto be held up as "lhe Northern
man 18th Southern feelngs!" A Tariff man when
the Tariff was IN the ascendancy; and represen-
red by the Anti Tariff interest as the champion Of
low duties ! An Internal Improvement man in
Indiana, and The opponent Of that policy in Vir-
gina lie is emphalicaIly "all things unto all
men'--and the ultimate shape winch his opinions
and policy may assume will depend upon the inn1-
ence which his determination my exert upon his
own groveng ambition. But we recur 10 Gen.
IIarrsons letter, which is in the looninl words:
Copyof a letter from Gen. Harrison TO j. NJ. Bcrri,
en-, Esq.
NEAR NV LANCASTER. 4th Nov. 1896.
Ny Dear Sn-Ihls is the first day of leisure
that have had since had The honor to receive
yonr letter OF the 30th September-an avail my
self Of 1t answer The three questions YOU propose
TO me, and which are in the looNing words. VI:
Isl. "Can The Congress OF the Tn ted States,
consistently with the Constitution, abolish slave
~ either IN the States in the Dstrct oil Co
/ lumbia
2nd. do not good faith and The peace and harmo
ny Of the Union require that the act lu, the compro
mise Of the rauf, commonly known Mr.. Clay's
bl, should be carried out according spirit and
intention
81. "ls The principle proclaimed by The dominant
party, that the spois belong to the vctors,
the office ii President of the Unlted States p
proceed TO answer these questions in the order
they are prnpt sed
LIST. do mol think thai Congress can abolish, or
IN any manner interfere with slavery, exists in
the States, but the application OF the States, nor
abolish slavery in The District Of Columbia. without
the Of the States of Vagina aud Mar, land,
| and the people of the District. The first would he,
! in my opinion, palpable violation Of the Cons u
tion-and the latter, breach Of f,lh towards the
States have mentioned. who would certainly not
have made the cesSion, # they had supposed that il
would even be used for purpose different from
that which its hect, aud injurious them.
rs the location OF Tree coloured population, IN the
midst Of their slave population of the same descup
ton. Nor do believe that Congress could deprive
the PEOPLE of the ID IS of Columbia f their
properly. without then consent Ii would be revi-
| wing the doctrine oil The Tories Of Great Britain
IN relation 10 the powers Of Parliament over the
Colonies before the revolutionary war, and in direct
hostility 10 the priuclpe advanced by Lord Chat
ham-that "what was mans own, was absolutely
ms own, and could not be taken from hm, without
hls consent, given by himself OF his lega repre-
iative."
2nd. Good faith and the peace and harmony Of
the Union do, IN my opinon, require that the COM
promise oil the Tafii known Mr.. Ciay's bull,
should be carried out according 10 It's spirit and
intention.
3rd. am decidedly Of opinion that the power Of
appointment to office vsJed IN the Executive ofthe
hited States by the Constitution should be used
with single eye TO the public good aud not TO pro-
mote the interests OF panty. Indeed, thai the Ptesl
dent OF the United STATES shou d belong 10 party.
Iou are al liberty 10 use this letler Tor what pun
pose you may think proper.
/ am, dear SIR, with great regard and consllerl-
lion your humble servant w. ii. HARRISON.
On the Tariff question,it will be seen, Gen. HAM
son is in favor of strict adherence 10 Mr., Clays
COMPROMISE blll,--a Southern measure, carried by
Southern votes, against the bitter opposition OF the
manufacturing interest
Ia reference TO the odlous "Spoils" principle,
Gen. flanisons sentiments are emnenlly sound and
pa,riotic-repudiatng the idea that opinions ven
dlble commodities, to be rewarded and punished, as
this that party happen to secure the keys Of The
public tire sury He goes for that unbounded free
dom of opinion for which fathers fought
which is the birth right Of every American citizen,
and which constitutes the very essence oil Repub-
can liberty. He scouts the idea that the peoples
etices the legti nate spos ola triumphant party,
TO be conferred on the most unprlncpled and least
quail who, being generally the active teuda
tories " the loudes brawleis the usual recipients
OF Executive favor, when, this principle being ac-
knowledged. the distribution of the oaves and fish
es takes place, He regards the offices of the
country high public trusts, to be conferred on the
most capable, faithful and best qualified citizens,
without regard TO party ties; and we hold this be
Of the most important Reforms to be effected by