The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-12-03
SPEECH OF MIR. CLAY.
AT the Mass Meeting in Lexington, KY.
on Saturday, Nov l3, le47.
(CONTINUED.)

on Saturday, Nov l3, l847.
CONTINUED
I concluded therefore, Mr.. President and
fellow citizens with entire confidence, that
Congress has the right, either at the begin
ming, or during the prosecution of any war,
to decide the objects and purposes for which
it was proclaimed or for which it ought to be
continued. And think it is the duty of
Congress, by some deliberate and authentic
act to declare for what objects the present
war shall be longer prosecuted. suppose the
President would not hesitate to regulate his
conduct by the pronounced will of Congress,
and to employ the force and the diplomatic
power of the nation to execute that will
But, if the President should decline or refuse
to do so and in contempt of the supreme
authority of Congress, should persevere in
wagng the war, for other objects than those
proclaimed by Congress, then il would be the
imperative duty of that body to vindcate its
authority by the most stringent, and effectual,
and appropriate measures. And if on the
contrary the enemy should refuse to con-
clude a treaty, containing stipulations secur-
ing the objects designated by Congress, it
would become the duty of the whole gov
eminent to prosecute the war with all the
national energy, until those objects were at
tained by treaty of peace. There can be no
insuperable difficulty in Congress making
such an authoritative declaration. Let it re-
solve, simply, that the war shall, or shall not,
be war of conquest; and if war of con-
quest what is to be conquered. Should a
resolution pass, disclaiming the design of con-
quest peace would follow in less than sixty
days, if the President would conform to his
constitutional duty.
Here fellow citizens, I might pause, hav-
ing indicated mode by which the nation,
through its accredited and legitimate repre-
sentatves in Congress, can announce for what
purposes and objects this war shall be longer
prosecuted, and can thus let the whole people
of the United States know for what end their
blood is to be further shed, and their treasure
further expended, instead of the knowledge
of it being locked up and concealed in the
bosom of one man. We should no longer
perceive the objects of the war varying, from
time to time, according to the changing opin-
ions of the Chief Magistrate charged with its
prosecution. But do not think it right to
stop here. 1t is the privilege of the people,
in their primitive assemblies, and OF every
private man, however humble, to express an
opinion in regard to the purposes for which
the war should be continued; and such an
expression will receive Just SO much considera-
ton and consequence as it is entitled to, and
no more.
Shall this war be prosecuted for the purpose
of conquering and annexing Mexico in all its
boundless extent, to the United States?
l will not attribute to the President of the
United States any such design; but con-
fess | have been shocked and alarmed by
manifestations of it in various quarters. OF
all the dangers and misfortunes which could
betal this nation, should regard that of its
becoming warl;ke and conquering power the
most direful and fatal. History tells the
mourntul tale of conquering nations and con .
querors in the civilized world, were Alexander,
Caesar and Napoleon. The first, after over
running large portion of Asia, and signing
and lamenting that there were no more worlds
to subdue, met premature and ignoble death.
His Lleutenants quarrelled and warred with
each other, as to the spoils OF his victories,
and finally lost them all. Caesar, after con-
quering Gaul, returned with his triumphant
legions to Rome, passed the Rubicon, won the
battle of Pharsalia, trampled upon the liber-
ties of his country, and expired by the patriot
hand of Brutus. But Rome ceased to be free.
War and conquest had enervated and cor
rupted the masses. The spirit of true liberty
was extinguished, and long line of Emperors
succeeded, some of whom were the most exc
cradle monsters that ever existed in human
form. And that most extraordinary man,
perhaps, in all history, after subjugating all
continental Europe, occupying almost all Its
capitals, seriously threatening, according to
NJ Theirs, proud Albion itself, and decking
the brows of various members OF his family,
with crowns torn from the heads OF other
monarchs, lived to behold his own dearFrance
itself in the possession of his enemies, and