Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-08-04
Extract from Senator Phelps Letter
TO the Wing State Convention.

Speaking Of General Taylor he says;
IFS sentiments on the subject Of the veto
mower would alone enttle him TO the support OF
Inc Wing party. In this respect also he Is the
very opposite to his competitor. While one
stands PLEDGED to the use of the veto power to
carry out the party platform the other is
PLEDGED to leave the legislation Of the country
in the proper hands, that is, the hands of Con-
prcss, the proper opponents of the public will
This difference is radical and essential Gen.
TAYLOR stands here upon the VINO PLAT
FORM And were nothing more to be gained
by his election than the restoration Of the true
balance of the Constitution, and the constitution
al independence OF Congress, this great object
would be worth the united and strenuous efforts
of the Wing party
This one feature in his political creed involves
many considerations. II | am asked what are
his personal views on the subject of the tariff
the public lands internal improvements, &c.,
answer that it is enough for me that he leaves
all these matters TO the legislative body where,
in my Judgment, it belongs, and is pledged not
to interfere with the public will as constitution
aly expressed by that body. In my opinion, all
these questions Of expediency are proper sub
iccts OF legislative, and not Of executive con-
trol; and every attempt on the part OF the OK
ccutive to control ihe action Of Congress in this
respect, is a violation of the spirit of the Con-
stituton The power over these subjects is
placed by the Constitution in that body. There
let it rcst-and not only so, but let that power
be exercised without dictation or interference
by another department approve of General
Taylors sentiments in this particular, and ON this
point ask no further pledge
Without going more particularly into his sem
tments | may say that know of no ground OF
objection to General Taylor, likely to deter the
Wings of Vermont from his support, unless it be
connected with the topic which now interests
the country so deeply: TO wit, the subject OF
Sacery. Were he citizen of a free State,
and unconnected with that institution, have
no hesitation in saying he would be cordially
supported by the people of Vermont How far
this objection is to go is for them TO decide.
may however be permitted to remind them that
in this particular he stands in precisely the same
position with the distinguished individual so cor
dally supported by the Wings Of Vermont al
the last Presidential election, and whom they
we're so anxious to sustain the present occa
sion. Mr. Clay, as well as General Taylor, is an
inhabitant of a slave State, and a Shareholder
Ii the objection was not insuperable in one case
it would seem not to be in the other
In this matter, also, we have every reason tC
suppose he would defer to the action of Con
gress. The President has no constitutional con
troll over this subcct-and il he leaves it t
Congress so far MS that body has such control, !
is all that We can require.
AFTER al' he cannot 1e placed IN NOR %
Jectonabie position IN TINS respec, tnah ms conl
peutor, who has virtually pledged h'niseh agal.s
the Wilmot l'roviso; we nave therefore Hou
ing to gam IN wl.hhoiding our support 'rot
Gen. Taylor, and thus, as have shown, ailini
the election oil Cass and thus, SO lar as the ircs
dental election can settle THIS question: se'''e
IN ldror q ne stdreh0td'ng Porer
The subject OF Slavery Is two-edEed swor
which our adversanes nave nltherto wielueu wiz ~
immense au'aPlase 10 NIUE nna u,s''" "h W