Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-06-16

To Yourself, I would no, fail 10 express my
lhankfulness for The very courteous and accePla-
BILE manner in which you have conveyed 10 me
The proceedings of The Convention. ! remain,
dear sir, with high respect
Your most obedient servant.
z. TAYLOR,
Major General U. S. Army.
HENRY A. HuHLENBERG, Esq, President Tay.
lor State Convention, Reading, Pennsylvania.
BATON RouoE, La, Jan. 30lh, l646.
Sir-Your communication OF The 18Th instant
has been received and the suggestions therein oil.
fered duly considered.
In reply 10 your enquiries, have again 10 re-
peat, that have neither the power nor the desire
10 dictate 10 the American people The exact man.
ner in which they should proceed 10 nominate me
for The Presidency OF the United States.
II they desire such result, lhey must aooPlthe
means best suited, in their opinion, 10 the con-
summation oil the purpose; and If they think nj 10
bring me before them Tor This Office, through their
legislatures, mass meetings, or conventions,
cannot object 10 their designating those oodIes al
Wing, Democratic, or Naive; but being thus
nominated, must insist on the condl!lon-ana
my position on this point is immuIable-lhat
shall not be brought forward by Them as The cam
ddate of their party, or considered as the expo
nenl OF their party doctrines.
In conclusion, have 10 repeat, that il were
nominated for the Presidency by any body OF my
felow-cilizens, designated by any name they nigh,
choose TO adopt, should esteem it an honor, and
would accept such nomination, provided il had
been made entirely independent Of party conside-
ralions am, Sir, your obedient servant,
z. TAYLOR.
PETER SKEN SMITH, Esq.
BAToN ROUGE La. April 20, lS4S.
Dear Sir: Your letter If the 10th inst, which
alludes 10 certain statements that have recently
been made in some of the papers al The North,
and which submits several inquiries for my con-
sderalion, has been received
To your inquiries have respectfully 10 reply,
Fra-Thal ifnomnated by the Wing Nation
al Convention, shall mol refuse acceptance, pro.
vided am left free OF all pledges, and permitted
10 maintain the position of independence of all
parties in which The people and my own sense of
duty have placed me-oherwse | shall refuse
the nomination OF any convention or party.
Sec0ndly-i do not design to withdra W my name
| if Mr.. Clay be The nominee of the Wing Nation
| al Conyention-and, in this connection ! beg
permission 10 remark, that the statements which
have been so positively made in some OF the
Northern prints, 10 the effect that should Mr..
Claybs the nominee of Tie Wing National Conven-
ton, had stated that Iwo,iId not suffer MY name
10 be used" are not correct, and have no lounda.
lion in any oral or written remark OF mine. Il
has not been my intention, al any moment, 10
change my posilion-or 10 withdraw my name
from the canvass, whoever may be the nominee
of the National Convention, either Of the Wing
or Democratic party.
Ihlrdly- have never stated 10 any one that
was in favor OF the Tariff OF 1876 -ot The Sub.
Treasury, nor that | originated the war with
Mexico. Nor, finally, that | should Gf elected)
select my cabinet from both parties. No such
admissions or statements were made by me, al
any time, 10 any person.
Permit me however, 10 add that should such
high distinction be conferred upon me as that OF
elevation 10 the Executive Office, the Conslu-
lion, in strict and honest Interpretation, and in
the spirit and mode in which il was acted upon
by our earlier Presidents, would be my chief
guide In this, conceive TO be all that is neces-
sary in the way OF pledges.
The election OF another candidate would occa-
sion no modification TO me, but TO such result,
as The will OF The people, should willingly and
calmly submit. As have had no ambition 10
serve, but in the desire 10 serve The country, il
would bring 10 me no disappointment. With sen.
,imenls othigh respect and regard, remain,
z. TAYLOR.
o. P. Baldwin, Esq, or Ro. H. Gallaher, Esq.
Editor, OF Richmond Republican, Richmond,
Virginia.
BATON ROUGE, April p, 1913.
Dear Sir-My opinions have recently been SO
often misconceived and misrepresented, that
deem i, due 10 myself, if not TO my friends, TO
make brief exposition OF them upon The topics
TO which you have called my attention.
have consented TO the use OF my name as
candidate for the Presidency. | have frankly
al ~
high s.ation but having, al the solicitation oil
many OF my countrymen, taken my position as
candidate, do mol feel al liberty 10 surrender
that position until my friends manifest wish
that should retire from il. | will then mos!
gladly do So have no private purposes to &C.
complish, no party projects TO build up, no enc
mics 10 punish-nothing TO serve but my coun-
try.
/ have been very often addressed by letter, and
my opinions have been asked upon almost every
question that might occur 10 The writer's as Affect
ing the interests OF their country or their party
| have not always responded 10 these inquiries,
for various reasons.
| confess, whilst have great cardinal princi
Piles which will regulate my political life, am
not sufficiently familiar with all the minute de.
tails oil political legislation, to give solemn pledg-
es TO exert my influence, il were President, 10
carry out this or defeat that measure. | have no
concealment. | hold no opinion which would
not readily proclaim TO my assembled country
men; but crude impressions upon matters Of pc.
icy, which may be rish, 10 day and wrong TO-
morrow, are, perhaps not the best test Of fitness
for office. One who cannot be trusted without
pledges cannot be con6ded in merely on account
OF them
will proceed, however, now 10 respond to your
inquiries.
Fira-I reiterate what have often said-I
am Wing, bu, not an ultra Wing. II elected,
| would not be the mere President OF party
would endeavor to ACT independent OF party do
mination. should feel bound 10 administer the
Government, unrammellcd BY party schemes.
S:cond The veto power The power given
by the Constitution 10 the Executive TO interpose
his veto is a high conservative power; but, in
my opinion, should never be exercised except
in cases OF clear violation OF The Constitution
or manifest haste and want Of consideration BY
Congress. Indeed, have thought that, for many
years past, the known opinions and wishes OF
the Executive have exercised undue and injuri-
Gus influence upon the legislative department oil
The Governments; and Tor this cause | have
thought our system was in danger of under.
going great change from lis true theory. TIE
e,s0nai opinions of The tndiridual lcao may hap
pen to occupy the Ezecutipc chair, ought not to
control the action Of Congress upon questions OF
GomsSsiG p0R y; nor oh2W MS 06lstttons u DC IN
terpossd whsre questions Of constitutional po,cer
taus been settled By the UayDus apartments Of
Government, and acqniesced IN by III, people.
1aud-Upon the subject Of the tariff, the cur
rency, the improvement OF our great highways,
rivers, lakes and harbors, the will OF the people,
as ex pressed through their Representatives i'll
Congress, ought TO be respected and carried out
by The Executive.
FgiuA.-The Mexican war. sincerely re.
joice al the prospect OF peace. My life has been
devoted 10 arms, YET look upon war al all times
and under all circumstances as national calami-
II, 10 be avoided if compatible with national no.
nor. The p'ine,ples OF our Government as well as
its true polly are opposed to the subjugation of
other nations, and the dsmemberment of other
countries by conquest. In the language of the
great Washington, "Why should We quit our
own TO staud on foreign ground'" In the Mexi
can war our national honor has been indicated,