The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-05-11
Baton Rouge, April %, 1S48.

dis posltlon IN regard TO the Presidency.
Baton Rouge, April %, 1848.
Dear Sir: My opinions having recent,
been so often misconceived and misreprcsent
ed, that | deem it due to myself if not to m,
friends, to make a very brief exposition o
them upon the topics to which you have call
ed my attention.
T have consented to the use OF my name a!
a candidate for the Presidency. | have
frankly avowed my own distrust of my fines.
for that high station but having, at the so
licitation of many Of my countrymen, taken
my position as a candidate, L do not feel al
liberty to surrender that position until my
friends manifest wish that / should retire
from it. will then most gladly do so.
have no private purposes to accomplish, M
party projects to build up, no enemies to pun
ish-nothing to serve but my country.
have been very often addressed by letter,
and my opinions have been asked upon al.
most every question that might occur to the
writer's as affecting the interests Of the coun-
try or their party. l have not always re-
sponded to these inquiries, for various rea-
sons.
| confess, while have great cardinal prin.
cIples which will regulate my political life, |
am not sufficiently familiar with the minute
details OF legislation to give solemn pledges to
exert my influence, if | were President, to
carry ont this or defeat that measure.
have no concealment. / hold no opinion
which would not readily proclaim to my as
sembled countrymen; but crude impressions
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 cannot be trusted without pledges can
not be confdcd in merely on account of
them.
I will proceed, however, now to respond to
your inquiries
First reiteratc what have often said
| am Wing, but not an ultra Wing. IF
elected | would not be the mere President Of
a party | would endeavor to act indcpend-
ent of party dominion. l should feel bound
to administer the Government untrsmmced
by party schemes.
Second-Thc veto power. The power
given by the Constitution to the Executive
% iAterpose his veto, is high conservative
power but in my opinion should never be
exercised except in cases of clear violation of
he Constitution. Indeed, l have thought
hat, for many years past the known opinions
md wishes Of the Executive have exercised
Undue and injurious influence upon the leeis- /
alive department of the Government :, and |
Or this cause have thought our system was
danger OF undergoing great change from
S true theory The personal opinion of the
who may happen to occupy the
Executive chair, ought not to control the
elton OF Congress upon questions of domes.
C policy; nor ought his objections to be in
'rposed where questions of constitutional
over have been settled by the various de-
artmcnts of Government and acquicsccd in
y the people.
Thrd-Upon the subject of the tariff, the
Irrency, the improvement of our great
ghways, rivers, lakes and harbors, the will
the people, as expressed through their -,
representatives. in Congress, ought to be re- i
ected and carried out by the Executive. q
Fourth--The Mexican war. | sincerely }
joice at the prospect of peace. Ny life :.
S been devoted to arms, yet look upon "
n at all times and under all circumstances y
national calamity, to be avoided if COM !
INV WIN h"tIoudl uOnOT' uc principles -
our government as well as It's true policy =
opposed to the subjugation of other ma u .,
ms and the dismemberment of other coun- :"
es by conquest. In the language of the 1t
lat Washington, "Why shonld we quit our :
n to stand on foreign ground ?" In the !.
'xlcan war our national honor has been -.
dictated, and in debating terms of peace "
may well afford to be forbearing and !.
N magnanimous to our fallen foe. 90
These are my opinions upon the subjects on
erred to by you; and any reports or pub DC
tions, written or verbal, from any source, to
ering in any essential particular from of
1T is here written, are unauthorized or re
rue. nm
do not know that l shall again write up re:
the subject of national politics. I shall col
age in no schemes, no combinations, no The
igues. If the American people have not
iidence in me they ought not to give me
r suilragcs If they do not, you know me res
enough to believe me when declare | bv
| be content. | am TOO old a soldier to VIII
muir against such high authority. IN,
Il. TAYLOR. ant
o Capt. j. S. Allison, bel
wa