The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-09-11

Committee waited on Mr. Tazcwe, with a request
that he would preside over lis deliberations, which
he declined in consequence Of feeble health, hay-
ing also retired from the busy scenes OF political
life. But, at the same time, communicated can
didly and frankly TO the Commltte his sentiments
in relation to the all-eycitmg topics Of the day
The opinions of Mr. Taacwull, expressed by the
Committee, having called forth mvldlous and H.
liberal remarks induced one of them, DIR. j. L.
Young, to address him letter, and his reply to
that gentleman we now publish, aud which we arc
sure will command the attention OF our readers
LETTER OF TIE HON. L. W, TAZEWELL,
NORFOLK, August 23d, 1910.
SIR: Your letter orycstcrday was handed mo
when it was TOO late for ne to reply to it by tho
servant who bore it. After the very explicit and
often repeated declarations made by me to the
committee of which YOU were a member, that !
would not take any part in the lerocouS contest
now raging throughout the country, further than
by giving my vote on the day OF election, did not
expct to be called upon again TO abondon this pur-
pose, especially by one of the members OF that
committee. You misunderstood the reason which
induced me to form this resolution, if YOU suppose
it can lie changed either by repeating to ne the
unmcred concentrations oftoo partial friends, or
| the infamous and malignant idIschoods Of those
who dcspise too much to call them foes
have no reason to belle, that could influence
a single vote any where, If would and am
very sure that would not i'll could My opinions
| upon any subject, when regarded as of sufficient
consequence to be sought for hy any ofuy acqualn-
lance. have never been withheld from them nor
will the, ever b. concealed from any one. ] hesc
opinions in regard TO the respective merits Of the
two candidates for the Presidential office, were
given To the members of your committee, when
Il 1 Il hal h,E,r
10 several other persons of both parties, and as
they have been repeated TO such persons since
oh,rudc them upon none, but am as 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 consequence against his opponent. have an
acquaintance of some standing with both the can
didatcs, founded upon Il service with each OF them
for evcral successive years in the Senate OF The
United States This acquaintance lustties me in
saving Of each that he is Il well-brcd gentleman,
Fl of mild and umablc manners aud department, and
81 far az either know or believe of irrcproach
able private character. Gen Harrison is my senior
hy several years, know, and therefore, he can
moi be much short of seventy MIR Van Buren, j.
Junior by more years. believe then Gen. l'arl.
son il my senior. In their political course, these
gentleman have generally differed and while We
were ara@socated rs members Of the Senate Of
the United States it was my fortune to diller some
times with both. he occasions of my dilierenc"
with both. The occasions of my difference will
70 Mr.. Van Buren,, were few and rare ; but with
General Harrison, do not rcmeTber a single sub
iect involving an, question of constitutional law,
or of high political cSpedierc,, as 10 which We
ever concurrcd And on the few occasions in which
: differed with Mr.. Van Buren,, he was associated
with Gen. Harrison. Hence, it cannot be matter
Of surprise 10 any. that when placed IN situation
= when am, IN choose between Two persons, with
neither of whom do | agree entirely, should per-
fer him with whom | have often united both in
opinion and action, 10 HIN with whom have nro-
. riatIu differed.
state these things that knowing the effect
: which is sometimes produced upon human minds
hy ifeuucnt and long continued conflicts of opinion
upon Subjects of much interest, YOU may appreciate
rs Won please the sentiment have often uttered
and will therefore, again repeat, that in my judg-
l. mcni General Harrison is both physically and in
ellrcually incompetent TO perform the many varied
= arduous, and important duties which must deyolvc
O upon every President of the United Sntes;-that
it is not prudent to expose our country 10 the GER
tain perils which must await it should its desncs
L ever BE- committed to President by accident, in
II times of difficulty and high excitement; and that
u such catastrophe is always probable. when one
elevated to the Presidential chair who has already
= reached the full term ordinarily considered as The
t liuii of mans life.
ie To kind letter from friends in distant State
IT, maturing what were my opinions OF MI Van Bu-
W ren's administration. | have recently replied. A
ne cony Of this repy is before me; and as it truly
10 rcntcsrn,s nv sentiments upon this subject, will
le. ,ranscrbe NV answer to the inquiry propounded
81 ,yns opposed 10 Nr. Van Buren, when he was
fire., candidate for the Vice Presidential chair, and
III nv opposition to him was continued when he was
"a nGervard. candidate for the station he now holds
w Jron earh Of these occasions, there were Other
?. candidates who, as thought, agreed with my o.
10 pnions more exactly. aud who therefore, prefer.
red. Entertaining such sentiments, have watch
10 ed his course, since he came into power, with
nj vigilance tina, might not perhaps have been used b,
me under other circumstances. Yet, with all thin
he vigilance. have not been able 10 detect singl,
n unconstitutional act that has been done propo
he sed BY him during his administration. This is no