Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-05-13
From the New. Orleans Picayune.
GENERAL TAYLOR.

- no uuueIouS mstepTeSentduonS VI Hou' oys
ors opinions upon questions oil public policy
Which have been put in circulation 5y persons
who assumed 10 speak from authority, have indu.
,ed him 10 address letter TO Capt. Allison, his
brolher.in law, In which he takes occasion to
speak more at large Of political topics than he has
hitherto done. This letter has been handed 10 US
for publication, and it defines, once for all, the
Generals position in regard TO the Presidency
and the issues which lie al the base oil party Or
ganzalion. .s.t
1t will be seen tina, Gen. Taylor rci,eraes what
has so often before been declared, that he is
Wing, but not an ultra one. lie REJECTS 10 the
s,ernes, terms, The idea OF President Of The u.
States being the mere instrument oil party. He
will no, consent 10 take office as proPagandist.
He is for taking the Constitution Tor a guide rath
er than the creeds Of conventions or the dica OF
political clubs. He is for leaving TO Congress the
things which belong to the legislative department
and combining the executive 10 the matters enlrus.
ted 10 him by the constitution. He refuses to
change his attitude towards the Presidency Ia any
particular leaving it 10 those who obtained his
consent TO be candidate for that Office 10 do in
the premises what shall seem to them best.
We regard this document as not only interes.
ting 10 Gen. Tayor's friends, but important to the
public at large, as embodying sound political
truths. The most momenlous topic embraced in
it is the relative positions and duties Of the legs>
lative and executive departments. 1t must be con.
ceded that the increasing Difference paid by Con-
gress to the will OF the Executive, has been regar
ded by many OF our wsest statesmen with alarm
and the implied obligation Of the President 10
carry out the views Of nominating convention,
has at times seriously interered with his indepen>
l.a,a o,J ;,ono;rod /. ahiIi,y do oood II
was never contemplated by the trainers Of the
constitution that President should be trans
melej by pledges or bound down TO party
manifesto which is generally drawn up with re-
ference to accidental states Of public feeling or
topics Of transient excitement; much less did it en-.
ter the mind Of our revolutionary patriots that
Congress should in any wise be subservient to the
Executive, or controlled by the opinions OF his
cabinet. In so far as the National Legislature
is warped by the influence or the persuasion Of
power does Congress fall from the digni6ed pc.
sition assigned it by the constitution.
But we shall not detain the reader with com.
ment upon paper which will attract universal
attention.
BATON RoauE, La. April %, 184S.
DEAR SIR-My opinions have recently been
so often msconceived and misrepresened, 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 10 the use Of my name as
candidate for the Presidency. | have frankly
avowed my own distrust Of my fitness for the high
station, but having, at the solicitation OF many OIL
my countrymen. taken my position as candidate
do not feel at liberty 10 surrender that position
until my friends manifest wish that should re-
tire from it, will then most gladly do so.
have no private purposes to accomplish, no party
projects 10 build up. no enemies to punsh-noth
| ing 10 serve but my country.
have been very often addressed by letter ano
my opinions have been asked upon almost every
question that mig ht occur to the writers as affect
ing the interests Of their country or their party
have not always responded 10 these inquiries, fol
| various reasons.
confess, whilst have great cardinal pfinci.
Piles which will regulate my political life, | am
not sufficiently familiar with all the details Of po'
Iitical legislation to give solemn pledges to eIer
my influence, il were President, TO carry GU
this or defeat that measuae. | have no conceal
ment. hold no opinion which would not read
| lily proclaim 10 my assembled counrymen; bu
crude impressions upon matters OF policy, which
may be right to-day and wrong Tomorrow, ore
perhaps, not the best test OF fitness for Office
One who cannot be trusted without pledges can
not be con6ded in merely on account OF them.
| will proceed, however, TO respond 10 you
inquiries:
Frst-I reiterate what have often sad-I am
Wing but not on ultra Wing If elected,
would not be the mere President Of party.
would endcavor to act independent Of party dom
ination. should feel bound to administer lht
Government untrammclled by party schemes.
Second-The veto power. The power giver
by the constitution to the Executive to intsrpos,
his veto, is high conservative power; but, in my
opinion, should never be exercised except il
cases Of clear violation OF the constitution. o.
manifest haste and want OF consideration by Con
gress. Indeed, have though. that, for many
years past, that known opinions and wishes o
the Executive have exercised undue and injurious
influence upon the Legislative department OF tn,
Government; and for this cause have though
our system was 10 danger Of undergoing a grea
change from its true theory. The personal opin
ions Of the individual ,oho may happen to occupy
the Executive chair, ought not to control the &C
ton Of Congress upon questions of domestic poll
cy; nor ought his objections to be interposed ,oher
questions Of constitutional po,oer haze been setlet
by the variouS departments of Government, ana
acqmiesced tn by the people.
IHird-Upon the subject Of the tariff, the cur
rency, the improvement Of our great highways
rivers, lakes and barbors, the will OF the people
as expressed through their Representatives il
Congress, ought 10 be respected and carried GU
by the Executive.
Fourth-The Mexican war. sincerely re
joice at the prospect Of peace. My life has bse
devoted 10 arms, yet look upon war at all time