“The power given by the veto is a high conservative power; but, in my opinion, should never be exercised except in cases of clear violation of the Constitution, or manifest haste and want of consideration by Congress.”

It is here seen that, in Mr. Jefferson’s opinion, if on the constitutionality of any given bill the President doubts, he is not to veto it, as the gentleman from Kentucky would have him do, but is to defer to Congress and approve it.  And if we compare the opinion of Jefferson and Taylor, as expressed in these paragraphs, we shall find them more exactly alike than we can often find any two expressions having any literal difference.  None but interested faultfinders, I think, can discover any substantial variation.

But gentlemen on the other side are unanimously agreed that General Taylor has no other principles.  They are in utter darkness as to his opinions on any of the questions of policy which occupy the public attention.  But is there any doubt as to what he will do on the prominent questions if elected?  Not the least.  It is not possible to know what he will or would do in every imaginable case, because many questions have passed away, and others doubtless will arise which none of us have yet thought of; but on the prominent questions of currency, tariff, internal improvements, and Wilmot Proviso, General Taylor’s course is at least as well defined as is General Cass’s.  Why, in their eagerness to get at General Taylor, several Democratic members here have desired to know whether, in case of his election, a bankrupt law is to be established.  Can they tell us General Cass’s opinion on this question?

[Some member answered, “He is against it.”]

Aye, how do you know he is?  There is nothing about it in the platform, nor elsewhere, that I have seen.  If the gentleman knows of anything which I do not know he can show it.  But to return.  General Taylor, in his Allison letter, says: 

“Upon the subject of the tariff, the currency, the improvement of our great highways, rivers, lakes, and harbors, the will of the people, as expressed through their representatives in Congress, ought to be respected and carried out by the executive.”

Now this is the whole matter.  In substance, it is this:  The people say to General Taylor, “If you are elected, shall we have a national bank?” He answers, “Your will, gentlemen, not mine.”  “What about the tariff?” “Say yourselves.”  “Shall our rivers and harbors be improved?” “Just as you please.  If you desire a bank, an alteration of the tariff, internal improvements, any or all, I will not hinder you.  If you do not desire them, I will not attempt to force them on you.  Send up your members of Congress from the various districts, with opinions according to your own, and if they are for these measures, or any of them, I shall have nothing to oppose; if they are not for them, I shall not, by any appliances whatever, attempt to dragoon them into their adoption.”