The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-16
Another General In the Field.


questions which divide the two great parties of this
country. In reply | received the following letters,
they will be read with interest by the country at large
and especially by the party Of which the gallant Gene
raj Is so distinguished a member. ,l
am, sir very respectfully, your obedient servant
+. w. BOWDON.
TAcuBAvA (Moxeo), April 18th, 1S4S.
MY DEAR SrR-Your favor of the 18th ultms reached
me last evening The return courier leaves in IA few
hours and AS another opportunity will not probably
occur in the next two weeks hope you will excuse
for substituting the enclosed copies of replies
other friends as answers in part to the inquiries you
nave addressed to me. To many communications
the same subject from citizens of different States these
are the only answers, other than simple acknowledge
ments of civity, that have felt ut liberty to make
In each case the writer was already namedor looked
to be named-a member Of the democratic convention,
to meet in May To that extent these replies embody,
distinctly and truly, my sentiments and opinions In
respect TO the additional points presented by yourself
shall now as distinctly and truly answer
LIST. Graduation and reduction Of the price Of
public landsn
would vote any reduction necessary to place farms
within the reach of industrious bona de settlers or
emgrants regarding the early occupation and cutiva-
ton Of the public domain the richest public
sure; hoping still to annual surplus over and
above expenses of administration-as surveys sales
&c-carried to tho public treasury to be appropriated
among other national Objects to the Improvement of
our great lakes and rivers to the extent Of consttu
tional permission 1t is my settled conviction. that
within twenty years the of the great lakes
and western rivers will reach far exceeding
and ever thereafter taking the Lead Of that flowing
and from the Atlantic; and when lines of commu-
nicaton with the points attained on the Pacific
are once established and opened to the enterprise of
people, there will hardly be found a term Of CON-
parson. We shall exhibit the extraordinary specta-
ce under our free and glorious institutions of clutch
ing and controlling the of Europe with
hand. and the riches of China with the other speak
of riches but tho fuhment of our high political and
social destiny is tho prominent and grand considera
ton.
I'd. "The veto power?n
This regard as the tribuntial power, sentialy
damn in and
constitution in the hands of the Chief Magistrate to
represent in his person. the absolute sovereignty of
the people and it must be extraordinary abuse of
which we have had no example, that would induce
to vote any change alteration have supposed that
the constitution only looked to its exercise in the
of hasty unconstitutional legislation or ian insup-
possible case) fraudulent reasonable legislation
Sd. :" The right of the people of the different
lions of our Union to carry their property [of what
territory about to be acquired from Mexico" Tor
quired from any other power this continent,l |
cannot suppose to be seriously questioned When the
acquired territory shall be admitted into the
of States it will be for the admitted States determn
all things relating to their social condition. Con-
gress, in its recognition of these views will doubtless
recur to the principles Of that great landmark
the Missouri compromise-to guide its decision
remain, my dear sir, your friend and obsdient ser
want, w. j. WORTH
Hon. +. W. BowpoN, NJ. c., Washington, d. C.
p. S.-May it not be well doubted whether tho pub
lie domain and the Post Office Department legti-
mate other than incidental sources of revenue!-
policy being to people the former and to make the
latter Gas it designed) convenience to the whole
country, by the rapid transmission of intelligence.
either defrays its expenses, will not the national
objects be fulfilled aside from surplus for other great
national Objects WV.
The following the letters referred to above
TAouBAYA, Mexico, March H. 1s4S
MY DEAR SIR-Your friendly and oblging letter OF
the Sd utimo, reached me yesterday
have never had party tie or association in any
partisan sense; failed in social and familiar
intercourse on proper occasions freely and frankly to
utter such opinions as | may have entertained on
questions of general political interest to my country
As a soldier, have held it unbecoming to mingle in
party Strife take part in local politics. God forbid
that we should ever even seemingly, witness union
of the ballot box and the cartridge box.
am now thirty-fve years in profession affording
few opportunities to master requirements necessary
civil station. believe myself to be respec table sol
der, and further make no pretensons In that quail
ty my government and countrymen have generousy
rewarded me- The country has from whom to choose
Industrious and experienced statesmen from either Of
the great parties Cass Dallas, Buchanan, the
side the brave and honest Taylor or Clay, on the
other; and Calhoun, perhaps, between the two-all
with large experience in the civil affairs and civil
policy of government Infinitely better victories
however brilliant, had been achieved than that
the public mind should become distempered and vi
tiated by mere military distinctions
or several letters received, kindred to your own,
have not permitted myself reply to but and that
only in courtesy the manifest sincerity of an
although mistakenly friend. In the same regard and
spirit seeking no concealment of my opinions send
you II copy, confidential, the original and
W. J WORTH
Hon. ELISHA ENciIsH, of Indiana,
Washington DC.
Cry OF Mexico, jan TO- 1S4S.
MY DEAR SIR,-In acknowledging your favor of Nov.
12th it is due to candor to say that not aware of
having entertained desire for preferment out of
my profession probably because of conscious want
of qualification, and distaste for the whereby
preferment Is usually attained.
The subjects you pay the compliment to present,
of high national concern and interest in respect
and uninhue initial; and II is only in courtesy to gene
rous, although unknown friend, that with these
marks proceed to your interrogatores, viz:
LIST. I" What your views of the Mexican war and
do you believe it an unjust one!n
War, ever to be d9flored should be avoided so long
may be consistent with national honor and national
rights. In my opinion there has been war in our
history always excepting that for independence,
which stands out and will through all time, case by
ITSELF, in that of any other people CONNIE ID
under greater provocation waged with higher hu-
mainly Regarding, then, this emincntly just,
sincerely hope it may be the pleasure Of governments
sustained by the people, to prosecute it with vgor,
until ample satisfaction for indgnities, and full ndcm
nifty for sacrifices be received.
ID Are you in favor Of or opposed to, the charter
ing United States Bank!n
When the question agitated measure Of fnan-
cia and political expcdency looked no further into
the subject than to keep myself Informed generally
matters Of public interest During its struggles for
recharter, and when writhng and Keeling under the
blows of the patriot President Jackson my Judgment
was instructed that such an institution however wisely
have within itself elements dangerous to public and
private virtue If not to the appropriate and heathfu
action of government so the people seem to have
garded and decided the question: and II is difficult to
conceive state of affairs to tempt any sane
any honest man, in the effort to give it vitality
again.
Sd. " Are you in favor of the present ndepe ndent
treasury
Decidedly in favor of the principle of its working in
respect to economy and convenience in receipt and
disbursement of the public moneys, uninformed-a al
though under the impression that in those respects,
tits machinery notifications may be desirable; and
If so, that the wisdom Of Congress will apply the 70
medy.
4th. Do you favor, oppose, the distribution of
the proceeds of the sales OF the public lands among the
different States!n
Were in position to vote, exercise personal in
Thence, oppose IL to the uttermost However honestly
designed, it Is difficult to imagine scheme fraught
with greater evil ingeniously devised to cor
rupt individuals and masses-States and Congress.
Besides. will not such disposition Of the proceeds
operate fraudulent stewardship Of tse great trust
confded to government for the general good'
9th. Are you in favor Of opposed to, the tariff
of 1S46'n
Absence since the passage of that act has deprived
of