The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-06-27
GENERAL HARRISON.


Ever since the nomination of Gen. HARRISON by
the Harrisburg Convention, notwithstanding our
unwavering opposition to his election we have en-
deavourcd, to do him, and the claims which he
urges, for the high Office to which he aspres, ON.
pie justice. To accomplish thisswc have published
much which has been said for him by his friends,
and have laid before our readers extracts from sevc
ul of his old speeches. We have also looked anS-
iously for any reply which he might deign 10 make
to the numerous interrogatorics in relation to var
GUS topics Of national interest, which have b'e-
tpropoundcd to him that VIC might give our read
tho benefit Of these also. All however, that
have seen from his pen is an extract of letter, 10
the Hon. ]. L. WILLIAMS, under date of 2Slh May.
and letter to JAMES Lyons Esq. under date of lst
June, 1910. In pursuance of oar determination. to
do the General justice the promises VIC have laid
the latter letter entire before our readers and all
that has been published Of the other. Alter they
have been carefully perused, and We beg that they
may be, we ask in all seriousness, to what do they
amount? The extract We admit is somewhat to the
point, and admits what his friends have cndcayou.cd
to deny. The existence Of the committee, its au-
thority, and its exten. is distinctly defined. lie
says ard refer our readers 10 the cxtrtct re-
quested the Committee through its chairman Major
GwYsSE, to give the information sought for, in
some Of the numerous letters received in relation
to m: political opinions" Perhaps there would have
beon no inpropriety in the old gentleman adopting
this course, to furnish the desired information, con-
sdcring "the numerous letters he received" if the
mode Of giving it and the sources from whence it
was to be drawn were satisfactory. How was it to
be done? Hear the General himself. "This was to
be done by sonding 10 the writer's tho documents
which contained the information they sought
They not authorised 10 say what were his pre-
sent opinions, on any subject; no light was to bo
giycn-nothing to be furnished but the documents"
making an exhibition Of what his opinions were in
years long past. The people are not 10 be informed
asto what his opinions are of the great questions
which now agitate the country-,hcy are not to
know what he would do or what he would not do,
if elected President. As if to put the commcnta-
res in which we have INDUCED in the strongest light
to leave no possibility of doubt on the subject,
tho General proceeds to say: " lie (Major GwYSNE)
was also authorised, in cases where further opinions
were asked for to state my determination to give
no other pledges of what / would CT would not do,
if should DO elected to tic Presidency"
Acting upon the principles uvowcd in the extract
above, tho letter to Mr.. Lyons was written. No
pledges are overwhelming but the. rciteration Of
opinions long since expressed, withou: cven assert
ing in unequivoca language that he entertains these
opinionsnow. What he might liaro thought in l79l
or 1901 is not matter of very material Importance
at this moment, the question is, what arc noD tho
opinions he holds-what arc the principles upon
which he will administer the government, provided
he should 10 elected. These arc Of much more
importance, thu the more fact Of whether or not
lie was Federalist at the period referred to. 1t is
easy to be perceived from his letter of the first Of
June, the principles upon which he expects those TO
act who may support him. lie appeals to tie
writer, and the appeal is intended for the South
generally, abolition is the subject and he brings in
the names of North and South Carolinans, and
Gcorgians he says: ~ cannot suppose that my
friends could think that was less Of gentleman,
than those ardent politicians further South STANLEY
Afford, LEGAKE. DAWSON, KING &c. &C.. They
take it for granted &C." This is tho plan which
is to 10 adopted and acted on. STANLEY, AFFORD
and others in the South arc TO take things for
"grantcd," and the people are to be treated with
contemptuous silence. IF NIessrs. LscAEE and
DAWSON are satisfied, what right have the people Of
South Carolina, or Georgia to trouble themselves
the suLjcct7 Gcnora HARnrsoN has been so long
associated with party which it is known never
gained any point by an open and undsguised ap.
peal to the people, that he does not yet know that
the mere fact, of some half dozen great men ia.
king "for granted" what, to say the least, is very
questionable is not sufficient to satisfy the inquiries
Of an intelligent and free people.
General HARRISON desires to nuke the impression
that he has always been republican. In 1893, he
says he was selected by the Republican party of the
North Western Territorial Legislature to be their
candidate for Delegate to Congress, and was elected
lie goes on to soy that, "bcfore left Cincinnati
(for the seat of government the Republican mcm-
bers made me promise not to suffer my known oppo'
ston to the measures Of the administration TO inter-
fcre with the attainment Of the great object Tor
which was sent" How completely lie kept that
promise may be learned from tho history OF his lie,
aislatiye career. To whatever extent "his known
opposition to the measures Of the Administration
went at CINCINNATI, it was never heard Of at the
seat of government. On the contrary he succeed
cd so we'll in conccaling his "known opposition to
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