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Writings of Abraham Lincoln, the — Volume 2: 1843-1858 by Abraham Lincoln
page 86 of 301 (28%)
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"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?

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