Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-11
PRESIDENTIAL.
Gen. Taylor's Position Defined.

PRESIDENTIAL.
Gen. Taylor's Position Defined.
The New Orleans Picayune of the 25th ult.
contains the subjoinod letter from Gen. Taylor
TO Mr.. Allison, in which he clearly and compre-
hensively defines his position as candidate for
the Presidency:
BATON ROGUE, April 90, 1913.
Dear Sir-My opinions have recently been so
often mlsconceived and miSrepresented, That ]
deem it due to 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
avowed nv own dstrusi Of my fitness for that
high station; but having, at the solicitation Of
many OF my coun,rymen, taken my positlen as
a candidate, do not feel at liberty to surrender
that position until my FRIENDS manifest a wish
that | should retire from it. | will then most
gladly do SO. | have no private purposes 10 &C
conPlish, no party purposes TO build up, no enc
mics to punish-nothing 10 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 to the writer's,
as affecting the interests of their country or
their party. | have not always responded to
these inquiries, for various reasons.
| confess, whilst have great cardinal prnci.
pies which wlllregulate my political life, am
not sufficiently familiar with al. the minute de-
tails of political legislation 10 give solemn pied
ges to exert my influence, if we're President
to carry out this or defeat that measure. | nave
no concealment. hold no opinion which
would not readily proclaim 10 my assembled
counlrymen; but crude impressions upon mat
tiers of policy, which may be right today and
wrong tomorrow, are. perhaps, not the best test
OF fitness Tor office. One who cannot be trusted
without pledges, cannot be confded 10 merely
on account Of them.
/ will proceed, however, now to respond to
your inquiries.
fUsl-I reiterate what have often said-I
am Wing, but not an ultra Wing. If elected
| would hot be the mere President Of party
| would endeavor to act Independent of party
domination. should feel bound to administer
the Government untranmelled by party schemes
.Second-The veto power.-The power given
by the constitution 10 the Executive 10 lnterpose
his veto is u 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 aud IN.
furious influence upon the legislative department
| of the Government; and for this cause have
thought our system was in danger of undergoing
great change from its true theory. The per
sona opinions Of the individual who may hap
pen to occupy The Executive chair, ought not to
control the action Of Congress upon questions of
domestic policy, nor ought his objections to be
interposed where questions of constitutional
| power have been settled by the various depart
ments of Government and acquiesced in by the
| people.
Ihud-Upon the subject of the tariff, the cur
rency, the Improvement of orr great highways,
rivers, lakes and har0ors, the will of the people,
as expressed through their Representatives IN
| Congress, ought TO be respected and carried out
| by the Executive.
| Foarth-This Mexican War. sincerely re-
Jolce 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 calam-
| lty, to be avoided if compatible with national
| honor The principles of our Government, as well
as lis true policy are opposed 10 the sublugatIon
| of other nations and the ACKNOWLEDGMENT 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 Mex
| lean war our nailuna honor has been indicated,
amply vindicatcd, and in debating terus OF peace
we may well afford to be forbearing, and even
magnnnlmous, to our fallen foe.
These are my opinions upon the subjects re-
| ferred to by you and any reports or puo'lca-
tons, written or verbal, from any source, differ
ing in any essential particular from what is here
written, are unauthorized and unHue
] do not know that | shall again write upon
the subject of national politics. shall engage
in no schemes, no combinations, no intrigues.
lf.the American people have not confidence in
me, they ought not to give me their sutfrages.
If they do not, you know me well enough TO be-
lieve me- when | declare shall be content.
am too old a soldier 10 murmur against such high
authority. II. TAYLOR.
To CAPT. ]. S. ALLISON.
This is the best Taylor letter yet; still il
is to be inferred that he will run at any rate il
his friends say so, in spite of the National Con
ventlon. If that's the game, let us have a Nor
thern man, whose principles are all known, ant
known TO be right We are not inclined to .,
forced into the support of any man much less o
one who won't "lefne his position" short of
dozen trials. In short, we are ready to dissolve
partnership with all Southern politicians WIFI
cannot adopt Whig principles. Never reliable
they are not the men to dictate to us. Genera
Taylor must be put in an improved position, be
fore we can think of supporting him, should h
be nominated
Presidential Aspects at the Me.
tropolis.
Editorial Correspondence OF the New York Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Saturday, April 90.
have now been long enough in Washington