Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-19
From the N, O. Picayune, April Is.

mona, va.
From the N, q. Picayune, April IS.
GEN. TAYLoR-The numerous misrepresen.
talons fopinion's upon questions ofpublic poll
icy, which have been put in circulation by per.
sons who assume to speak from authority, have
induced him to address a letter to Capt. Ali-
son, his brolher-in-aw, in which he takes oc-
cuson to speak more at large Of political topics
than he has hitherto done. This letter has
been handed us for publication, and it defines,
once for all, the Generals position in regard to
the Presidency, and the issues which lie at the
base Of party organization
BATON ROUGE, April 90, 1848.
DEAR SIR: My opinions have recently been
so often misconceived and misrepresented, that
| deem il due TO myself, if not TO my friends, to
make brief exposition of them upon the top
les to which you have called my attention.
| have consented to the use Of my name as a
candidate for the Presidency. have frankly
avowed my own dstrust Of my fitness for that
high station; but having, at the solicitation ol
many Of my counlrymen, taken my position as
a candidate, do not feel al liberty to surrender
that position until my friends manifest a wish
that | should retire from il. | will then mosl
gladly do so. i have no private purposes to
accomplish no party projects to build up, no en-.
emies to punish-nothing to serve but my coun-
try.
! have been very often addressed by letter,
and opinions have been asked upon almost eve-
ry question that might occur 10 the writer's as
affecting the interests Of their country or party.
have notalways responded tothese inquiries, fot
various reasons.
confess, whilst have great cardinal princi.
pies which will regulate my political life, am
not sufficiently familiar with all the minute de-
ials OF rpoitical legislation 10 give solemn pledg.
es 10 exert my influence, if | were President
TO carry out this or defeat that measure. | have
no concealment. hold no opinion which
would not readily proclaim 10 my assembled
countrymen, but crude impressions upon mat
ters of policy, which may be right to-day and
wrong tomorrow, are, perhaps not the best test
of fitness for office. One who cannot be trus-
ted without pledges cannot be con6ded in mere
| ly on account of them.
Twill proceed however, now to respond to
your inquiries.
! First. | reiterate what have often said-l
am Wing, but not an ultra Whig If elected
| would not be the mere President of a party.
would endeavor 10 act independent Of party
dominion. should feel bound TO administer
the egovernmentuntrammeledb by party schemes.
Second. The veto power. The power given
by the Constitution to the Executive to inter-
pose his veto, is 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 ma
ny years past, the known opinions and wishes
| of the Executive have exercised undue and in
furious influence upon the legislative depart
ment of the Government; and for this cause
have thought our system was in danger of un-
dergoing great change from its true theory
The personal opinions of the individual who
may happen 10 occupy the Executive chair,
ought not to control the action of Congress up.
on questions of domestic policy; nor ought
his objections to be interposed where questions
of constitutional power have been settled by the
various departments of government and acqui'
esced in by the people.
Third. Upon the subject of the tariff, the
improvement of our great highways, rivers,
lakes and harbors, the will of the people, as ex-
pressed through their Representatives in Con.
gress; ought 10 be respected and carried out by
the Executive.
Fourth. The Mexican war. | sincerely re-
joice at the prospect of peace. My life has
been devoted to arms, yet look upon war at all
times and under all circumstances as national
calamity, to be avoided if compatible with ma
tional honor. The principles of our Govern
ment as well as its true policy are opposed to the
subugation of other nations and the dismem-
berment of other countries by conquest. In the
language of the great Washington, "Why
should we quit our own TO stand on foreign
ground" In the Mexican war our national no.
nol has been vindicated, amply vindica,ed, and
in debating terms of peace we may we'll afford
to be lorbearng and even magnanimous TO our
fallen foe.
These are my opinions upon the subjects re-
ferred 10 by you; Il any reports orpubllcaIlons
written, or verbal, from any source, differing in
any essential particular from what is here writ
ten, are Unauthorized and untrue.
do not know that shall again write upon
the subject of national politics. shall engage
in no schemes, no combinations, no intrigues. =
If the American people have no confidence in
me, they ought not to give me their sutirages.
If they do not, you know me well enough to
believe me when declare shall be content.
am too old soldier to murmur against such
high authority. z. TAYLOR.
To Capt. ]. s. ALLISON.