Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-09-21


beginning till now ! have declared myself to
be Whig on all proper occasions. With this
distinct nvowal published to tue world, did
not think that had right to repcl nomina-
TONS from political opponents any more than
had right to refuse the vote of n Democrat
at the polls; and proclaimed il abroad that
! should not reject the proffercd support of any
body of my fellow.citizens. This was my po.
siton when in November last returned to the
United States; long before either Of the great
divisions Of the people had heG National
Convention, and when it was thought doubt
ful ifone Of them would hold any
Matters stood in this attitude til Spring,
when there were so many statements in circu.
lation concerning my views upon questions of
national policy that felt constrained to cor.
rect the errors into which the public mind was
falling, bya more explicit enunciaton of prin.
ciples, which did to you in my letter IN
April last. That letter, and the facts which
have detailed as briefly as a proper under
standing OF them would permit, developed my
whole position IN relation to the Presidency at
the time
The Democratic Convention met in MAY,
and composed their ticket to suit them. This
they had a right to do. The National Wing
Convention met in June, and selected me as
their candidate. ] accepted the nomination
i
of the confidence of such body Of men, rep
resentng such a constituency as the Wing
party Of the United States, manifestation the
more grateful because il was not numbered
with exactions incompatible with the dignity
of the Presidential office, and the Responsible
ties of its incumbent to the whole people of the
nation. And may add that these emotions
we're increased by associating my name with
that of the distinguished citizen Of New York
whose acknowledged abilities aud sound con.
servatiye opinions might have Justly entitled
him to the first place on the ticket.
The convention adopted me as it found me
"a Whg-decidcd but not ultra in my Opin-
ions and ! would be without excuse if were
to shift The relationships which subsisted at
the time. They took me with the declaration
of principles had published to the world, and
! would be without defence If were 10 sal
or do any thing to impair the force ofthat dec.
laraiion.
! have SAID that I would accept n nomina.
ton frcm Democrats; lsIt in 80 doing would
not abate one j"t or title Of my opinions as
written dowr. Such n nomination, ms iudca-
ting a coincide nee Of opinion on the part Of
those making it, should not be regarded with
dsfavor by those who think with me as n
compliment personal TO myself il should not
be expected that ! would repulse them with
insult. / shall not molly my views 20 enticc
them to my side; shall not eject their aid
when they join my friends voluntarily
] have saId was not party candidate. nor
am | in that straitcned and sectarian sense
which would prevent my being the President
Of the whole people, in case Of my election
did not regard myself as one before the con.
vention met, and that body did not seek to
make me different from what was They did
not iettcr me down TO a series of pledges which
we're TO be an iron rule of action ia ALL and in
spite fall the contingencies that might arise
|, IN the course of Presidential term | am
not engaged to lay violent hands ndiscrimi.
natclv upon public officers, good or bad, who
may differ in opinion with me. ] am not cy.
pcctcd to force Congress, by the coercion Of
the veto, to pass laws to suit me, or pass none
This is what ] mean by not being party can
didate Aud understand this is good Whig
doctrine. | would not be partiSaR Prcsidcn,
und hence should not be a party candidate in
the scnse that would make one This is the
sum and substance Of my meaning, and this is
the pSport Of the facts and circumstances at
tending my nomination, when cOnsidc red in
their connection with, and dependence upon,
one another.
refer all persons who are anxious on The
subject To this statement for the proper under
standing Of my position toward the Prcsiden.
cy and the people. II it is not ineligible
cannot make it so, and shall cease to attempt
III.
In taking leave of the subject ! have only to
add that my two letters to you embrace all the
topics | design to speak ofpcnding this cam
vass. If am elected, ] shall do all that an
honest zeal may effect to cement The bonds Of
our Union. and establish the happiness of my
countrymcn upon an enduring has i.
Il. TAYLOR
To CART. J. S. ALLIsoS