The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-08
HERMITAGE, June %, 1910.
TO the Editor of The Nashville Union:

u
Sir: From the many letters which
have been recently addressed to me ask
ing for an expression of my views rela-
tive TO the leading measures of the pres
ent administration of the general govern
ment, some of which are from well known
and respectable sources, representing that
efforts are made i'll various quarters of the
Union to inclte belief in the public mind
that my confidence in the present Chief
Magistrate has been impaired, it seems 10
be proper that some step should be taken
| by me to undeceive those who are thus
imposed upon. For this purpose, sir, |
beg the favor of you to give place in your
columns TO this note, which trust will
be as acceptable to those who have writ
ten to me on the subject as a direct an
swer i'll the form of letter would be-
From whatever cause, or on whatever
authority, statements may be made, rep
resenting me as having changed my views
of the leading measures of the present
Administration, they are unfounded and
unjust. Of the wisdom and importance
of these measures, and particularly of
that which aims at the establishment by
Congress of fiscal agency for the Gov
eminent without the use or aid of banks,
time and the fullest opportunity for re1ec-
ton have left not doubt on my mind
And the ability which Mr.. Van Buren, has
manifested, in developing the bearing of
this great question. and of its antagonist
one, on the free institutions of our coun-
try, and the irmness he has displayed in
holding on to the true interests of the peo-
pie, when there has been so much tempt
alton to compromise them, entille him in
my judgment to rank not inferior to that
of Mr.. Jefferson or Mr.. Madison as a pat
riot and statesman.
With such opinions Of the present Chief
Magistrate and Of the measures to which
he has given his neutrality-suspicious. which
l have never failed to express when
have had occasion to SPEAK on the subject
it is surprising how any one could take
up the idea that my confidence in him had
been impaired or tina, had become indif-
ferent as to the choice to be made at the
next election between him and Gen. Har-
rison. Looking sJ"upon the latter gen.
tleman as the representative of Federal
principles in the present contest, and
knowing that he has never been identified
with the Republican party in any of its
great strugglesLa against the influences
which have been calculated to take power
from the people and the States, and give
it to the General Government, sCJ3to sup
pose that would for moment think OF
giving my support to such an individual
as candidate for the Presidency would
be a mockery of all public principle.
In respect TO the statements which have
been made in several newspapers Of the
day, that | disagree with many of my po-
litcal friends in the estimate they have
formed, of Gen. Harrison's military mer-
its, am not aware of having said any
thing to justify them. s-PHaving never
admired Gen. Harrison as military man
or possessing the qualities which consh
tute the commander of an army, have
looked at his political relations alone III
the opinions have formed or expressed
respecting his pretenslons to the Presiden
cy..-EA and the consequences which
would result to the country, should thu