Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-05-06
LETTGR FROM GEN TAYLOR.

Baton Rouge. April -, 1873.
Dear Sir-Aiy opinions have recently been
so often miscou1eived and misrqprrseuted.
that deem 1t due to myself, il not to my
friends 80 ma he brief exposition of them
upon the topics TO which you have called ny
attention.
have consented 20 the use Of my name as
a candidate for the Presidency, have frank
iy ayowed my own distrust OF my fitness Tor
that high station but having, at the soIicita-
lion ui many oil my countrymen, taken my
position candidate, do not feel al liber-
ty 10 surrender that position until my friends
manifest wish that should retire from it,
| viii then most gladly do so. ! have no pri-
vale purposes to accomplish. no party projects
to build up, no enemies to punish-nothing
TO serve but my country.
have been very often addressed BY letter,
and my opinions have been asked upon almost
every sestion that might occur to the writers
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 prin-
CIpies which will regulate nv political lite, |
am not sufficiently familiar with all the min
ute details OF political legislation to give SOL
emn pledges to exert my influence, il were
President. to carry out this or defeat that
measure. have no concealmcnt. hold no
/ opinion which | would not readily proclaim
to my assembled countrymen; but crude i'm
pressions upon matters Of policy, which may
/ be right to-day and wrong tomorrow, are,
/ perhaps not the best test OF fitness for Office.
/ One who can not be trusted without pledges
/ cannot be coniided III merely an account of
them.
will proceed, however, now to respond to
your inquiries.
First.-l reiterate what have often said
/ am Wing, but not all ultra Wing. Ii e.
.ected, | would not be the mere President of
party. ] would endeavor to act independent
OF party domination. | should feel bound to
administer the Government untrameled by
party schemes.
Second, The veto power The power Civ
en- bv the constitution to the Executive to in
terpose his veto, is high conservative pow
err but III my opinion should never be exer-
cised except in cases of clear violation OF he
constitution, or manifest haste and want Of
consideration by Congress. Indeed have
thought that for many wears past the known
opinions and wishes OF the Executive have
exercised undue and injurious influence upon
I 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 personal opinions
of the individual who may happen to occupy
the Executive Chair, ought not to control the
, action OF Congress upon questions OF domes-
tic policy; nor ought his objections be inter-
posed where questions OF constitutional pow
er have been settled by the various depart
menls OF government and acqulesced IN by
the people.
Third-Jpon the subject of the tariff, the
currency, the improvement OF our great high
ways, rivers, lakes and harbors, the will OF
the people, as expressed through their Rep
resentatives in Congress, ought 10 be respected
by The Executive.
ourtb.-The Mexican war. ] sincerely
rejoice at the prospect OF peace. NV life has
, been devoted to arms, yet look upon war at
: all times and under all circumstances, as a
, national calamity, to be avoided if compatible
: with national honor? The principles OF our
Government as well as its true policy are OPP
posetI to the subjugation of other nations and
the dlsmembernient or otiiei Gountiies by
conquest In the language OF the great Wash
ington. "Why should we quit our own to
stand on foreign ground" In the Mexican
war our national honor has been vindicated,
amply indicated, and in debating terms of
peace, we may well afford to be forbearing
and magnanlmous 10 our fallen foe.
Ihes are my opinions on the subjects refer
red to by you; and any reports or publications
written orverbal from any source, differing
in any essential particular from what is now
written. are unauthorized and untrue.
do not know that shall write again on
the subject o. national politics. | shall en-
gage in no scheme no combinations. no intri
gnes II the American people have not con-
idence in they ought not to give me their
sulfmges. If they do not, you know me well
to beheve me, when declare shall be con
tent. | am TOO old soldier to murmur "a
gaiust such high authority.
rAVI