The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-07-10
LETTER OF PRESIDENT TYLER.

The following letter was read by VIM. Bad
zens of the city and county Of Philadelphia in
commemoralion of our late national anniversary
of independence viz:
WAsHINGros, July lst lS43.
GENTLEMEN Your letter. inviting me, on behalf
Of the Democratic citizens of the city and county of
Philadelphia, 10 unite with them in celebrating the
appro aching anniversary of American Independence
is now before am deeply impressed with the
kind terms employed by you in conveying the invita-
ton and regret that my public duties and engage
monts will deny to me the great pleasure of accept
ing it. Few things would afford me sincere
pleasure than TO unite will my ieow-citizens in the
celebration Of day which announced to the orld
the great truth of mans capacity for selfgovernmen
and which may be regarded as the forerunner Of the
final overthrow of privileged classes and privileged
orders the face of the earth.
For the kind reference you have made TO the course
pursued by me in the administration of the Govern
u,ent, you have my warmest Acknowledgements
What have done through the exercise of the quail
fed Veto has proceeded from desire TO propitiate
public opinion in direction, by offending it in an
other. Nothing of personal advantage was pc nit
ted to influence my course | believe this Govern
ment TO be Government Of limited powers arising
out of compact between sovereign States, and what
has not been granted has been reserved to the States
and to the People. / soemnly believe that the Con-
StluilOn contains no grant Oh pOWeTtO create cor
poration for the Union-whether such corporation
be in the form of Bank Religious Institution
or any other, does not vary the question | believe
them to be- one and all, equally unconstitutional
and so believing, it my duty, not only a mo-
raj but political agent, to exert the qualified veto
with which the Chief Magistrate is invested most
wisely by the CONSTITUTE ~ TO arrest any such mea-
sure Nor is the Government in any way dependent
upon any such institution for the prosperous admins
tralion of the public affairs. The capitalist may
want some mode opened TO him Of investing his mo-
ney in what he may suppose to be profitable stock
but the wants Of the country are essentially different
The farmer, mechanic, and day Iaborer with q
currency convertible always into specie, and equal TO
specie in value, and this the Government can furnish
in the exercise of its constitutional functions with
out the interpositioo OF corp rate companies ire
sponsbIe bank directors. For the expression and
maintenance Of these opinions lhaye been denounced
as few men have been before My denunciators
at liberty to reap all the advantages they may be
able from the course which they have pursued For
myself | cannot be made g. believe that it comports
with the fitness of things that any Chief Magistrate
can administer the Government prosperously who
should have commenced his administration by the
commission Of what in him, would have been an
act of perjury, however others might have esteemed
it.
The principles upon which | shall continue to act.
while remain at the head Of the Government are
those which derived from the great teacher in
the Republican schoo-and if for this shall continue
to be the object OF abuse, shall console myself with
the reflection that the disciple should expect
fate ffcrent from that of his master In his day and
generation, man was more vllI6ed than the author
of the Declaration of Independence whose disciple
am.
Be pleased, gentlemen, to accept Individually as
surances OF my respect and consideration.
JOHN TYLER
To Messrs. Blythe, Lyons, Badger Jones' and Lee
BY the Company John Tyler, President of the
/ United States-the disciple Of Jetferson-his adhe.
renee to the principles Of that distinguished Repub-
! lcan in the Administration of the Government can
not fail to promote the welfare of the country and re-
ceive the appreciation of its citizens.