Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-07-04

ent with my principles TO support General
Taylor against Gen. Cass. The former,
acting under the orders of tia President
his superior officer, has but done that in
prosecuting the war, which he could not
refuse to do without a surrender OF his COM
mission in the army. The latter (Cass)
acting under no such restraint, but as
member of the legislative department o.
the government, has not only justified and
sustained the war. but has continually and
GENEROUSLY urged its vigorous prosecu-
ton into the heart of Mexico, without re-
gard to the torrents Of blood which il
caused to flow, or the millions Of money
which it prohigately wasted. Besides, it is
well known that Gen. Taylor has opposed (
the war from its commencement. Ii is |
also matter of history, tina, shortly after
the commencement Of the war, he drew
upon himself the severest censure of the /
Administration. as well as the bittercst de-
nunciations Of Locofocos throughout the
country, for expressing in a letter to !
friend opinions hostile TO the prosecution
of the war into the heart of Mexico.
As a Northern Wing. desiring TO pre-
vent the extension Of slavery into any ter /,
rtory which we now possess, or which we
may hereafter acquire, greatly prefer the
election of Gen. Taylor tc that Of Gen.
Cass. This restriction, ifmade at all, must
be made by Congress. Gen. Cass has
pledged himself to the South, in order 20
secure their support, to resist any attempt
to restrict the extension of slavery. lie
denies the power Of Congress under the
constitution to make any such restric lion,
and consequently if he should be elected,
he would veto any bill which Congress
might pass to effect this important object.
Gen. Taylor has pledged himselfto leave
the decision of this question to the Legis-
lative department of the government, and
he will not arrest the action Of that Depart
ment by the tv1anical exercise Of the veto
power If, then, Gen. Cass shall be elect
ed, while the policy of the government
will be such as to lead to large acquisitions
Of territory upon our Southern borders, no
restriction upon the extension of Slavery
into such territory can be made by Con-
cress. except by two-thirds vote, overri-
ding Presidential veto. This cannot be
f hoped for. The election of Gen. Taylor
with the pledges which he has given 10 the
country. will leave to Congress full power
10 prevent the extension OF this evil.
In fine, let me say in conclusion, that
. the election of Gen. Cass will expose us
, to all the dangers and difficulties offurtler
, lamentations and conquests, and subject us
, to the most imminent hazard Of a war with
> England or other European powers
The election Of Gen. Taylor will arrest
, this mad career Of conquest, and place
our foreign relations upon firm and Sc
cure and amicable basis. The election of
: Gen Cass will secure the triumph Of all
those wild and reckless schemes of domes-
: tic policy which, under Locofoco rule, have
: already done SO much to disturb the BUSH
s ness Of the country and retard its prosper
7 itv. The election Of Gen. Taylor will in
Y troduce safe American system Of policy,
f calculated to promote the national welfare
/ and happiness. The election of Gen. Cass
: will build up the one man power into a
: towering despotism, overpowering the ac-
}, ton of Congress and defeating the will
: and wishes Of the people. The election
d of Gen. Taylor will secure to the popular
: voice, as expressed through its constitu-
S tional representatives, that just control
: over the administration of the government
# which, according to the true theory Of our
o Constitution, it should exercise. The cleo
= ton of Gen. Cass will secure the com
q plete triumph of the most ultra views o.
e Slavery propogandists, while Congress
= will be deprived Of all power to check the
e evil. The election Of Gen. Taylor vii
= leave in the hands Of the Representatives
= of the people. their just and constitutions
power to exclude this evil from the tern
a tories which belong to the United States
1. In such a contest, cannot remain ;
IS mere passive spectator. The evils which
j. must result from the election Of Gen. Cass
Is are, in my judgment. SO great-so fatal IL
ot their consequences to the brightest hope
s. and the best interests Of the nation, tina
1. patriotism. duty and interest, unite to in
p woke the ardent and Jealous cooperation
! Of all who would avert those evils, to Sc
10 cure the election Of Zachary Taylor, tn
m only man whom we can hope to elect.
" am with great respect. Your Friend
n CALEB 3. SMITH.
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