Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-11-24


by my speech a, Neutrality-suspicious. although
had remained at home during the whole year
up to late day in September, within short
distance of your own residence, and although,
sem -ouT -S-1i;'-r i-'e'fre $3.50
Rave ~ 1t ula1 y trt ear et
" ga |f n-r af 0r
sos sos aiEG. af to hr Say
g- ie sears aatc Vet ruu BAD
r Hiea Htt-seafq io question -n Q.
pfat rfIt he iaa b. G1f 3 De-
ton 10 you to be informed, and give you the
information on knowledge obtained by myself
during my recent visit 10 Ohio, that General
Harrison, who is now in his 6sth year, enjoys
robost and vigorous constitution; that he has
visited most ofthe state in which he resides
during the last few months, travelling by night
and by day, and delivering speeches to large
assemblages of his fellow citizens; that his
health is perfect, and that the prospect Of a
continuance of his life for four years to come,
is as great as that which appertains to me or
yourselves. ] shall also be permitted 10 as
sure you, that you are mistaken in supposing
that his political views are reluctantly given,
or confined ito his relations and partizans."
on the contrary, :nfny come to hear his adj
dresses with opinions unfavorable to him, and
go away his warm and declared supporters
He candidly and frankly gives uttcrance to his
opinions; and in proof OF this / take leave to
refer you with some emphasis, to his speeches
OF Columbus, For, Meigs, Carthage and Day
ton. You will find them in any Wing news
paper, although do not remember to have
seen them in any administration print
Before proceed TO answer your enquiries,I
shall be pardoned in saying that ! am so far
uniformed of the name of the gentleman
whom the administration party in Virginia
and the South propose to sustain for the Vice
Presidency in opposition to myself; for sugges-
ting to you that in order to decide upon my
claims to that distinction, which readily adj
init are of no great weight, whether it would
not have been proper to have obtained the
name Of the rival candidate to have PROFOUND
ed to him the same questions which yon have
propounded TO me. BY comparison of opin-
ions between us,would you not have been bet
ter prepared to decide how to cast your suffra-
gcs on the end Of Nov. next And submit it
to you in all fairness, whether when my oppo-
nents are running blank ticket against me
without any designated rival, it is altogether
proper to put me on the witness stand and sub
ject me to rigid cross examination This
can only be justified upon the ground that you
are firmly of opinion that Mr.. Van Ruren can
not die, although in his 62nd year, for four
years to come, and that Gen. Harrison must
inevitably do so. IL there was an indemnity
from death to all who had not obtained their
9th year, while decree had been pronounc-
ed by the Creator that all who had attained
that age should die before the lapse of four
years, could well imagine that your desire
'to preserve our liberty and happiness" might
lead you to PROFOUND inierrogatories 10 me,
and to take no concern as to the opinions and
views ofthe person who was destined at some
time or other TO be placed on the ticket with
Mr.. Van Buren,. But no such decree has gone
forth; and the fact that a citizen has attained
his 9th year, now excites approximations with
you which were never displayed before. In
1882 Gen. Jackson, in his 6sth year, was re-
elected to the presidency without any of the
gloomy forebodings Of his demise, which are
now said to exist as to Gen Harrison; and |
have yet TO learn that he was either more ro-
bust or active than Gen Harrison now is.
Hoping 10 be pardoned for the freedom of
my suggestions, which the style and manner
of your letter have given rise to, will now
proceed with as much brevity as | can to an
swer your numerous inquiries.
/. To your first inquiry answer that il is
not only the right but the duty of the people to
make themselves acquainted with the opinions
and sentiments Of those who either represent
them or are candidates for their SURFACES, "as
10 CUdfdCltf Oi tlt tnC pOntts
it may consii,u,ionally exert, and the measures
and policy it ought to pursue" But l must
with equal candor declare to you, that if any
portion OF the people, not for obtaining nfor-
nation, but actuated by the sole desire TO make
political capital for his adversary, (they them
selves havingresolved to vote against him. no
matter what responses he may give) shall pro-
pound questions TO a candidate for office, they
are guilty of peryeriing the true object Of in
curry, and that in such case the candidate
is at liberty 10 answer or not as NAV seem 10
him best. il is game of trap, which is de-
signed 10y the inierrogstors, and 10 is for him
to decide whether they shall play il success
fully or not.
2. To your second inquiry, will answer
tina, the right and duty Of the people TO pro-
pound inieuogaiores necessarily implies an
obligation on the pan OF the candidate TO an
swer. And for answer TO that part of your in
quiTy as 10 the obligation ofihe representative
10 obey the wishes OF his constituents, refer
you 10 my votes given IN the house OF repre-
sentaiives Of this State in the session Of 1879,
'I3, 20 my speech delivered in the house Of
representatives in the session Of 1916 II, on
the Compensation Law, and 10 my letter 10 the
General Assembly OF Virginia, upon my re-
sigaing my seat in the senate Of the United
States. pndeT tbs expuneing resolutions--a
proceeding altogether too recent and too pro-
mineni ioE you to have forgotten.
3. This inquiry, you must permit me TO say
Il n. n -.