The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-05-11


been so often misconcciycd and misrcprc.
scented, that deem il due to myself, it not
10 my friends, TO make brief exposition 81
them upon the topics 10 which you have
called my attention.
have consented to the use Of my nnmc
as n candidate for tie Presidency. have
frankly nyowed my own dis,rusi Of my, fiji
ness for the high station; but having, at the
solicitation Of many Of my countrymen. Ia
ken my position MS candidate, do nM
fec! Il, liberty to surrender that position M
Ill my friends manifest wish that should
retire from it. vii! then INST gladly d.
so. have no private purposes to accom-
plish, no party projects 70 build up, no enc
mics to punish--nolhng 10 serve but m.
country.
/ have been very often addressed by let
ter, md my opinions have teen asked upon
almost every question that might occur {"
the writers rs n:icciin. the interests Of
their country or their party. ! lave moi
always responded to these inquiries, Tor VA
rious reasons.
confess, whilst | have great cardinal
principles which will regulate my political
life, | am not sufficiently familiar with oil
the details Of political legislation to give
solemn pledges to cXct. ny influence, il !
were President, 10 carry out this or dclen'
that measure. have no concen.tnen,. !
hold NJ opinion which would no, readily
proclaim TO my assembled coun,rymen; bun
cradc impressions upon matters OF policy,
which mny DC RICH, to-day end wrong TO-
morrow. are, perhaps, rs; the best test y!
fitness tor Office. One who canno. be trust
ca without pledges cannpt be conidcd in
merely on account at them.
will proceed however, 20 respond To
your inquiries:
First rci,cra,c what have often
said! am a Wing, br, III, an ultra Wing
II elected, would no, lo tho mere prcsi
dent of a party. would cndcnyor 10 az,
independent of party domination. should
feel bound 10 administer the Government
un,rammeled By party se!emca.
Second-'rhc veto power. The power
given hy the constitution 10 the Executive
to in,erposc his veto, is high conservative
power; but, in my opinion. should never be
exercised except in cases hs clear violation
oi the constitution, or manifest haste aud
want at consideration Il. Congress. In
decd, have thought that, ior many years
past. tho known opinions aud wishes Of the
Executive have exercised undue nnd inil-
rinns Influence upon the legislative depart
ment Of the Government, and for this cause
have thought our system was in danger
Of undergoing great change from liz true
theory. The personal opinions Of the in
diridnal mho may happen to occupy the
Executive chair, Ought rot 10 control the
action Of Congress upon questions of do
nestle policy; nor ought his objections to
be iaferposcd mhcrc questions of consfiiU-
tional power hare been settled by the rari-
Gus departments Of Government, and &C
qniesced in By the people.
1Aird--upon the subject Of the tariff.
the currency, the Improvement Of our grca,
highways. rivers, lakes md hnrbors, the
will Of the people, rs expressed through
their Representatives. in Congress. oneh,
10 be respected and carried on, By the Ex.
ccu,ise.
Fourth--The Mexican war. sincere
" rejaice nt the prospect "f peace. Nv
lilo hns been devoted 10 arms, vet look
upon war n, all times AMI under all circum.
stances as national calamity, 10 be avoid.
cd il compatible with national honor. The
principles Of our government as well rs it,
true policy gre opposed II the subingaiion
ot other nations and the lsmembefmeat o.
other countries by conquest. In the lam
guase If the great Washington, "Why
should NC quit our own l. stand on foreign
ground" In tie Mexican war our milton.
al honor has hecn yin2iralel, md i'm dicla
ting terms q peace We nay well afford to
he fnrhcariny md even ,nagnanimous 70
our fallen ice.
These are my opinions upon the subjects
referred IL by Vol; m any reports or pub.
lica,ians. written or verbal, from an,
source differing In any essential particular
from what Is hero written, are unaulhori.
zed aud untrue.
do MT know that shall again write
upon the suffice, O! naiianal politics, sh,l
engage in M schemes, ia combinations. no
inltisnes. Ii the American people have
not confidence in me iiey ought MOI 10 give
me their sallrages. II they do not, YOU
know me well enough - believe me when
declare shall be cun,en,. am too old
soldier to murMur against such high au-
thnrilv. =. TAYLOR.
To Capt. j. s. AiLi>oy.