Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-06-24
General TaylOr's Letter to Cap
tain Allison. .,
BARON BouaE, La, April %, ls4s.

DEAR SR-My opinions have recently been
so often mlsconceved and misrepresen,ed, that
deem it due TO myself If not to my friends, TO
make a brief exposition Of them upon the to-
pics TO which you have called my attention.
have consented to the use Of my name as 9
candidate for the Presidency. have frankly
avowed my own dsirust Of my fitness for the
high station; but having at the solicitations OF
many Of my counlrymen, taken my position as
a candidate. do not feel at liberty to surrender
that position until my friends manifest wish
tina, should retire from it. will then most
gladly do so. have no private purposes to &C
complish, no party projects 10 build up, no enc
mics 10 punish-nohng to serve but my coun
try.
have been very often addressed by letter, and
my opinions have been asked upon almost every
question that might occur 10 the writers as af>
fecting the intesests OF their country or their par
ty. have not always responded 10 these en-
quiries, for various reasons.
confess, while have great cardinal princ-
pies which will regulate my political life, am
not sufficiently familiar with the details Of pc
,ical legislation to give solemn pledges to exert
my influence, If were President, to carry out
this, or defeat that measure. have no conceal.
ment. hold no opinion which would not
readily proclaim to my assembled 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 Of
fee. One who cannot be trusted withou. pied
ges cannot be confided in merely on account OF
them.
Twill proceed, however, to respond to your
inquiries:
First reserate what have often said-l
am Wing, but not an ultra Whg. II elected,
| would not be the mere President OF party.
| would endeavor 10 act independent OF party
domination. should feel bound 10 administer
the Government untrammelled by party schemes.
Second-The veto power The power given
by the constitution to the Executive 10 interpose
his veto. is high conservative power; but, in
my opinion, should never be exercised excep. in
cases Of clear violation Of the constitution, OF
manifest haste and want Of consideration by Con
gress. Indeed have thought that. for many
years past, the known opinions and wishes oil
the Executive have exercised undue and iniur
Gus influences upon the legislative department oil
the government; and for this cause have lhot
our system was in danger Of undergoing grea,
change from its true theory. The personal opin.
ions Of the individual who may happen to occu.
py the Executive chair, ought not 10 control the
action OF Congress upon questions Of domestic
policy; nor ought his objections to be interposed
where questions Of constitutional power have
been settled by the various departments OF Gov,
eminent, and acquesced in by the people.
7hird-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 Representa-.
lives in Congress. ought to be respected and car
ried out by the Executive.
Fourh-The Mexican war. | sincerely re
joce at the prospects OF peace. My life has
been devoted to arms, yet look upon war at all
times, and under all crcum stances as national
calamity. TO be avoided il compatible with ma
tional honor. The principles OF our governs
ment as well as its true policy opposed 10 The
subugation Of other nations and the dsmembe.
ment OF other countries by conquest In tie Lam
guage Of the great Washington, "why should we
qui, our own to stand on foreign ground" In
The Mexican war our national honor has been
vindicated, amply vindicated. and in debating
terms OF peace we may well afford to be forbear
ing and even magnanimous 10 our fallen foe.
These are my opinions upon the subjects re-
(erred to by you; and any reports or publications.
written or verbal, from any source differing in
any essential particular from what is here writ
ten, are unauthorized and untrue.
do not know that shall write again upon
the subject Of national politics. shall engage
in no schemes, no combinations, no ntrigues.
If the American people have not confidence in
me they ought not to give me their suffrages. II
they do not you know me well enough to believe
me when declare shall be content. am too
old soldier to murmer against such high author
ity.
q. TAYLOR.
To Capt. J. S. ALLISON.
THE "Democrat" and one of its