The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-05-13

uC LNOW OllCubS vi HSOttl uits
contains the subjoined letter from Gen. Tay-
lor to Mr. Allison, in which lac clearly and
comprehensively defines his position as a
candidate for the Presidency:
BATON ROUGE, April %, l849.
Dear Sir-NIy opinions have recently been
so often misconceved and misrepresented,
that deem it due to myself if hot TO my
friends, TO make brief exposition of them
upon the topics TO which you have called my
attention.
| lave consented to the use of my maine as
a candidate for the Presidency. | have
frankly avowed my own dslrust of my fit
ness for that high station but having, at the
solicitation of many of my countrymen, taken
my position as a candidate, do not feel at
liberty to surrender that position until my
friends manifest a wish that should retire
from it. i will then most gladly do so.
have no private purposes to accomplish, no
party purposes TO build up, no enemies to
punish-nothng to serve but my country.
l have been very often addressed by letter,
and my opinions have been asked upon al
most every question that might occur TO the
writers, as affecting the interests of their coun-
try or their party. l have not always
responded to these inquiries, for various rca-
sons.
confess, whilst have great cardinal prin-
cipes which will regulate my political life, l
am not sufficiently familiar with all the min
ute details of legislation to give solemn
pledges to exert my influence, i'll were Pres
dent TO carry out this or defeat that measure.
| hold no opinion which | would not readily
proclaim to my assembled countrymen; but
crude impressions upon matters of policy,
which may be right today and wrong tomor-
| raapI,a,,c Tho hne sc
for office. One who cannot be trusted with
out pledges cannot he confded in merely on
account of them.
will proceed, however,now to respond to
your inquiries.
First reiterate what have often said
| am Wing, but not an ultra Wing. Ife-
lected would not be the mere President of a
party. ] would endeavor to act independent
of party domination. should feel bound to
administer the Government untrammelled by
party schemes.
Second-The veto power. The power
givens by the constitution to the Executive
to interpose his Eveto, is high conservative
power; but in my opinion should never be ex-
ercised, except in cases of clear violation of
the constitution. or manifest haste and want
of consideration by Congress. Indeed, have
thought that. for many years past the known
opinions and wishes ofthe Executive have
exercised undue and injurious influence up
on the Legislative department of the Govern
ment; 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 domestic policy; nor ought his objections
to 6e interposed where questions of consti-
tutional power have been settled by the va.
rlous departments of Government and acuui
esced in by the people.
Ihird-Upon 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 to he respec
ted and carried out by the Executive.
Fourth-The Mexican War. / sincerel,
rejoice at the prospect of peace. NV iii;
has been devoted to arms,yet look upon wa
at all times and under all circumstances a,
national calamity, to be avoided if com
patible with national honor. The Dria
Giptes of our Government as well as its tru,
policy are opposed to the subjugation of 9th
er nations and the Acknowledgement of otbe
countries ny conquest. In the language OF
the great Washington-"Wh should we oui
our own to stand on foreign ground?'' In thu
Mexican war our NATIONAL honor has been vim
dicate,l,amply vindcated,Sc in debating term
, of peace we may well afford to he forbearin,
and even magnaminous, to our fallen foe.
These are my opinions upon the subject
referred 10 by you and any reports or pub
locations, written or verbal, from any source
differing III any essential particular from
: what is here written, are unauthorized nm,
untrue,