Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-05-05
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vidity, 10 give clue TO his future course. To
crafty this very natural curiosity we make an
extract from an able letter Of his, written in
October last, IN reply 70 Loco l'oco Comm l.
lccor Ilcnrco, giving his views upon all the
leading questions ofpubhc concern. Ii proves I
him TO bo a thorough going Reformer, and |
oivcs earnest that he will not weary or falterm /
The great and important task ofcorrecting abu- |
ses. and aiding the true Republicans Of the |
land. IN preserving the public liberty. lie will |
uo TO work with zeal and unhagging industry |
10 perfect the labors Of the venerable Patriot, |
who sacrificed his life in the service of his |
country. He viii succeed in pcriecting those |
Iabors, and he will receive the blessings Of
grateful millions.
The letter is in reply TO a series of nterro-
gatoues,which are sufficiently explained by the |
respective responses
4. [ have cause to thank YOU for ascribing
tome kind feeling towards The People of the
District Of Columbls although you do me too
much honor in suppo>ng it To be parental
certainly do take an interest in .heir welfare,
although | mover aspired TO be regarded BY
them IN Tire light ola parcnt--and ii l did not
tell them whether ] would interpose 20 save
them nom The offs attempted invasion of the
Gn1tcal Ab0ujonists,' 1T was because had
rood reason TO believe they knew full well my
sentiments on That subject. NV recorded votes
mtha U.S.Scuate, aud-ny opinions spread be-
lUrc Che country, through the medium of the
public press, apart from thor knowledge the
fact that I was a resident citizen OF the State
of Virginia, left me nothing 10 explain 20 them
ON that head. have now, IN answer 90 yorr
enquiry go qaoto and to adopt the opinion OF
General HARRISON, as exposed ~ his letter To
JUDGE Rerrjen. of Georgia, dated 30th Of Sep
tcmhcr, 1876, in the following words: do
not think that Congress can abolish Slavery in
the District of Columbia, without the consent
of the States of Virginia and Marylapd,and the
pcople ofthc District. II would be a breach
or6th towards the States have mentioned
who would certainly not have made the cession
II they had supposed that it would ever be used
for a purpose so different from that which was
IT'S object, and so injurious to them as free CO.
larcd population, in the midst oftheir slave pop
ulatiou of the same description Nor do | be-
licve that Congress could deprive the People
of the District of Columbia Of their property
without their consent It would be to revive
the doctrine of the Tories Of Great Britain in
relation to the power OF Parliament before the
Revolutionary War, and in direct hostility to
the principles advanced by Lord Calham "that
what was a mans own was exclusively and
him without his own consent or his legal rep
rcsentative." Whether | would veto a bill
violatory of these opinions, so plainly expressed
If seated i'm the Presidential Chair--a station
which neither aspire tc in the future,or expect
TO devolve on me in any other way-it would
seem to be the merest work of supererogation
10 answer. You would not doubt my course
any more than you have cause to doubt the
course Of Gen. Harrison, under the circumstan-
ccs supposed.
;. I'm reply TO the first branch of your en-
uuirv, quote and adopt the language of Gen.
Harrison IN his speech delivered at Dayton
"Therc is not, i'm the Consttution,auy express
grant Of power for such purpose, and it could
never be constitutional TO exercise that power
save in the event the powers granted to Con-
grCss could not be carried into effect without
rcsortng to such an institution" The latter
branch of your enquiry is fully answered by
my answer 20 the first part. The constitution
concrs on Congress, in express terms, call
powers which are necessary and proper" to
carry into effect the granted powers. Now, If
e the powers granted" could not be carried
into effect without Incorporating a Bank, then
it becomes " necessary and proper" and of
course eXpcdlent-a conclusion which | pre-.
sumo no one would deny who desired to see
the existence Of the Government preserved, and
bcnCGcjaly IN operation. Whether | would
or would not exert the re,O, IL viii be time G.
uough for me TO say when am either can
ddatC for, or au CvpCctant Of the Presidential
uHce-ncither of which expect ever to be-
Ifvrur question had been so varied a8 TO have
cuqurcl of me what course would pursue If
elevated 10 the Vice Prcsjdcncv,and should
be- called upon 20 votr upon bin for the iucof-
poraton of a Bank, you should have had a di-
rect and emphatic answer. As It's, | have
only toreicr you TO my speech delivered in the
House OF Representatives ofthe United States
m l-lD,onthe question Of issuing a sclre facias
against the Bank, and my vote given in the
Senate of the U. = 1872, on the question Of
rrcharerngt the late Bank.
Is. That Congress has a right to impose du-
tcs ON merchandise imported, none can deny.
'rhc rate of duties, you are well aware,s called
tariff of duties. The power q" to lay duties
Is riven by the Constitution in express terms.
The right to select the articles of import on
which to levy the duties, is unquestionabe.-
Every duty imposed, operates pro tonic as a
bounty ON the production OF the same article of
home, andi t has been considered q wise policy
un ths part of ALL Administrations soto I'M
nose the duties az 90 advance the production
such articles as were ofnational lmpd tancc.
certainty do not doubt the policy or eXnCjicn-
CIV of such course The duties, however
should be laid with reference to revenue, oN.
ccpt where thoy are laid 10 comieract tho
roicy of foreign Government, and with
view To- the regulation az trade. ] have n,
hesitation in saying thatl regard the compro
mise law as obligatory on The country, an,
that I am resolved so far as it depends OF
myself to carry ont It's provisions in goo,
faith.
Z. This question is O mere abstraction IN til,
present condition OF the Treasury, for there u
no money there TO carry out any system of In
tcrnal improvements. My votes are repea
tcdly recorded on the journals of Congress a
gainst the power Of Congress over this subjoc
IN an It's phases and aspects, as well in regart
20 roads and canals, as to harbors and rivers
The first, viz appropriations to roads and ca
mails, have well nigh entirely ceased, while an
nual appropriation, to large amount, have
been made TO harbors and rivers, with Oh
sanction and approval Of the President Of tn
T. States.
:. What Gen. Harrison may have said,writ
ten or done upon the subject Of the Proclama
ton or Force Bill, and whether he approved {
Mr. Webster's speech upon these subjects,
rs well known to yourselves as me. hav
had no.conver satIon with him upon such suit
iccts, nor have / ever received any commun
cation from him in relation tothem. ] hav
before me his speech delivered at Dayton, i
which find this emphatic sentence: "lf tn
Augean Stable is to be cleansed, it will be nc
L.. 4. A.. al. - +