The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-06-14

SnNraf0Fin9.
e.. E. KANAPAUx,
F. J. SHAFFER.
GEN. TAYLOR'S ALLISON LETTER.
We re-publish for the information OF our rea.
ders the following letter from General Taylor
to Capt. J. S. Allison, giving his opinions on
subjects of national politics. After reading
this letter, we apprehcnd 1t will require consId-
erabe ingenuity, to reconcile the support Of
General Taylor, with an adherence TO Demo.
cratic principles.
BAToN ROGUE, April %, 1s45.
Dear Sir-My opinions have recently been
so often misconceived and misrepresented that
deem it due to myself, if not my friends to make
a brief exposition OF them upon the topics to
| which you have called my attention.
have consented to the use Of my name as
candidate 10 the Presidency. | have frankly
avowed nv own dstrust of my fitness for that
high station; but having at the solicitation OF
my coun,rymen, taken my position as candl'
date, do not feel at liberty TO surrender that po.
si,ion until my friends manifest wish that |
should re,rs. fe'aSit pu. PSsl' ID. ectapi.s;; til,
party projects to build up, no enemies to punish
--no,hing to serve but my country.
have been very often addressed by letter,
and my opinions have been asked upon almost
every question that might occur to the writers
as affecting the interest of their country"r their
party. I.have not always responded to those
inquiries, and for various reasons.
confess, whilst | have great cardinal prin.
ciples which will regulate my political lite, |
am not sufficiently familiar with all the minute
details, of political Legislation to give solemn
pledges to exert my influence, if were Presi.
dent, to carry out this or defeat that measure.
have no concealmenl. hold no opinion which
wonEd moi readily proclaim to my assembled
countrymen; but crude impressions upon mat
ters Of policy, which may be right TO day and
wrong to morrow, are, perhaps. not the best test
of fitness for office. One who cannot be trus.
ted without pledges cannot pc confided in mere.
" on account of them.
| will proceed, however, now 10 respond to
your inquiries.
First-I reilerate what have often said-I
am q uhig. but not an ultra whig. If elected
I would endeavor to act independent of party
domination. should feel bound to administer
the Government untrammeled by party
schemes.
Second.-The veto power. The power 81.
ven by the constitution TO the Executive to in.
terpose his veto, is high conservative power;
hut in my opinion should never he exercised ex.
cept in cases Of clear violation Of The conslilu.
tion, or manifest, haste and want Of considera.
tion by Congress. Indeed, have thought that,
for many years past the known opinions and
wishes Of the Executive have exercised undue
and injurious influence upon the Legislative de-
partment Of the Government; and for this cause
| have thought our system was in danger of un.
dereoing great change from it's true theory.
The personal opinions of Ms individual ,cho
m4y happen TO occupy the Erecutire chair, ought
NOT to control the action Of Congress upon ques
tions of domestic policy; nor ought his objections
to be interposed uhere questions Of constitution
al poyer hare been settled by the uarious depart.
ments of Government and acquiesecd tn by the
people.
Thtrd.-Upon the subject of the tariff, the
currencythe improvement of our great highways,
ripers. lakes and harbors, the tviU of The people,
as expressed through their Representatives. in
Congress. ought to be respected and carried out
by the Executive.
Fourth.-The Mexican war. Isincerely re.
ioice at the prospect of peace. My life has
Deen OeVbteu W diui>s w. ''"N up"" wa "' a.
times and under all circumstances, as nation.
al calamity to be avoided if compatible with
national honor. The principles Of our Govern.
ment, as we'll as its true policy, arc opposed to
the subiugation Of other nations and the dis.
memherment of other countries by conquest. In
the language of the great Washington, why
should we quit our own to stand on foreign
rround!" In the Mexican war our honor has
becn vindica,ed, amply vndca'cd. and in dcta
ting terms of peace we may we'll afford to be
forbearing and even magnanimous to our laler
foe.
These are my opinions upon the subjects re-
fsrred to by you; and any reports or pubica
tions, written or verbal, from any source dffe
ring in any essential particular from what ii
here written, are Unauthorized and untrue.
! do not know that | shall again. write upor
the subject Of nation politics. shall engage
10 no schemes, no combinations, no in'rigues