The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-09-09

the " Constitution"-lhat is to be his
main pillar Of support. a ''strict con.
struclion' of that instrument when the
interests Of his friends demand it; a
liberal construction when his interest
demands it; for instance, the Magma
Charta OF cur "Independence," from
which The Constitution was drawn up,
declares that 'all men are born free and
equal" and The Supreme Court OF the
United States, the highest Judicial tri-
bunal, has decided that atnegroes are per-
sons; yet Gen. Taylor does not scruple
to hold in bondage hundreds Of that un-
fortunate race, and would fain extend
that aocursed institution over soil now
free. and which was only acquired by
the blood and treasure of the nation, for
that and no other purpose.
What has Gen. Taylor done that
should so endear him to- the hearts Of
this people? Like Bonaparte Of old, he
started forth with his conquering le-
gions; he invaded a foreign country,
laid waste their fields, demolished their
cities, and slew their inha habitants--men,
women and children--and for this we
will build a thro ne, though costly one,
and place him though the loun.
dation be laid with the skulls of sirty
thousand human beings! Gen. Taylor
did all this, yes, he did it; and for This
and this alone, we will make him chief.
ruler over US. Forbid it Liberty! For.
bid it Almighty COP!
Gen. Taylor refuses to pledge him
self-he refuses to answer single
question as to his political principles,
and all the consolation that we receive
from those who are his supporters, is
that he is an "honest man"-so was
John Tyler. But we beg leave to sa
word in relation tohis (Taylor'D "hon-
esty"-p politically speaking, we believe
him to be dishonest. for no honest man
will hesitate to declare his political sen.
timents. be they what they may
Whenever you see man quibble on
that ground, rest assured that there is
something lurking in the dark-all is
not right, for such was not the teachings
Of the fathers of the republic.
The editors Of the Richmond Repub.
lican, during the month Of April last,
propounded to Gen. Taylor several
questions, and among them, one, enquir-
ing whether he designed Withdrawing
his name from the canvass, should Hen
ry Clay receive the nomination Of the
convention, to which Gen. Taylor re.
piled he did not. Now it is we'll known,
that heretofore, the General had de-
clared that if any other person should
receive that nomination n he would cheer
fully acquiesce. Is not this the gross
est inconsistency? Is such a course
commendabie for man who is said TO
be honest? We think not. But this is
characteristic of the old General. In
one place he says that he will accept
of no nomination unless rendered by
the whole country-in another place he
even offers to accept oil the nomina-
ton, if rendered him by the Native
Americans. Here then, is bundle of
inconsistencies-can any Of his friends
explain them aways Ifso, we will give
them the benefit of our columns, and
thank them in the bargain.
In February, 184S, B. NJ. McCon.
key, Of Cincinnati, addressed letter
to Gen. Taylor, propounding 10 him
several questions, and among them, one
what were his sentiments in
relation to the extension Of slavery over
territory now free. He replied, shave
laid it down as principle, not 10 give
my opinions upon, or PREJUDICE in any
way the various questions of policy
now at issue" Now how does this
correspond with that famous Allison
Ietter-the letter wherein he declared
that he is a" Whig."(?) In this letter
he did promise (if there is any meaning
in 'anguage) not to veto the action OF
Congress IN reference to a tariff and in
ternal improvements. Now so far
these letters conflict. In his reply to
Mr.. McConkey, he declined answer
ing any questions-he declined saying
that he would not veto the Wilmot
Proviso. In his Allison letter he init
mates that the exercise Of the veto
power would be proper in cases Of an
constitutional action, and as the whole
south is known to be favorable to The
extension Of slavery and opposed to the
Wilmoi Proviso, we have reason to BE-.
ieve that Gen. Taylor holds the same
feelings. The General was cute enough
not to specify this among the others
that should be crushed BY the veto
power. The real question at issue he |
has passed by unnoliced, consequently,
i is to be inferred that he will do all
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