The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-05-26
Gen. Zachary Taylor on The Veto
Power.

In view Of the prodigal exercise Of the
veto power by the fraudulent President
to defeat the Will Of the people as express
ed by Congress for repeating the odious
laws that have been enacted to perpet-
uate the over of the Republican party,
the following letter written by Gen.
Zachary Taylor before his election to the
Presidency, Will be interesting;
CAPT. l. 5. ALLISON.
DEAR SIR: My opinions have been so often
miscouceived and misrepresented, deem II
due to myself, if not to my friends, to make "A
brief exposition Of them upon the topics 10
which you have called my attention have
consented to the use of my name as a candl-
date for the Presidency. | have frankly
avowed my own distrust Of my fitness for that
high station but having, at the earnest sollc-
itation of many countrymen1 taken my position
As candidate do not feel at liberty to sur
render that position until my friends manifest
a wish that / should retire from it: then |
viii most gladly do SO l have no private
purposes 10 accomplish; no party projects TO
build up; no enemies TO puulshi nothing to
serve but my country; and the station would
bring with it cares and responsibilities as well
as honors.
have been very often addressed by letter
and my opinions have been asked upon almost
every question tnAt may occur 10 the NIllti-
a. affecting the interest of the country or
their party for the past, the present, or the iu-
mre. l have not responded 10 these inquiries
for various reasons. l confess, while have
rreat cardinal principles which will regulate
my political life, | am not sufficiently tamil
lar wit hall the minute details of political leg
islation to give solemn pledges to exert my IN
huence, ii were President TO carry out IN. =
or defeat that measure. / have no conceal
meut | hold no opinion which | would not
readily proclaim to my assembled country
men 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 office and one who cannot be trust
ed without pledges ought not to be confded IN
merely on account of them. l viii now, how
ever proceed To respond to your inquiries.
Firt-I reiterate what have said; | am a
Wing, but not an ultra-N mig. II elected,
would not be the mere President OF party.
would endcavor to act Independent Of party
domination and should feel bound to admins
Ter the Government untrammelled by party
schemes.
Second-The veto power The power given
hv the Constitution to the Executive to inter-
pose his veto is a high conservative poweri
but in my opinion II should never be exercised
except in cases of clear violation OF me consul
tuition or manifest haste and want of due con-
-idcration by Congress. Indeed have
thought thet for many years past the known /
opinions and wishes of the Executive have OK
erciSed undue and injurious influence upon
legislative department of the Government, and
from this cause | have thought our system /
was in danger of undergoing great change /
from It's true theory.
The personal opinion of the individual who |
may happen to occupy the Executive chair +
ought not 10 control the action of Congress /
upon questions of domestic policy, nor ought !
his objections to be interposed when uestlons I
Of constitutional power have been settled by
the various departments OF Government and
acquieseed in by the people.
Third-Upon the subject Of the tarlt, the I
currency the improvements of the great high /
WAYS, rivers lakes and harbors, the will Of the .
people as expressed through their representa-
lives in Congress ought to be carried out and
res pected by the Executive.
These are my opinions upon the subjects re-
ferred to hv vou, and any reports or pubtlca-
tons written or verbal from any source diner
ing in any essential particular are unauthor-
lied and untrue.
don't know that l shall again write upon
the su beet of National politics. L VIII en-
gage n no combination, nor intrlgues- II the
American people have not confidence in me
tbev ought not to give me their suffrages. Ii
they do not you know me well enough to be
Iipye me when l declare that | shall be con-
tent | am TOO old a soldier TO murmur
against such high authority
Ration Rouge. April -, l84S.