New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-11-15
MIR. CLAY'S SPEECH,
THE MEXICAN WAR, &C.
By Exprsss and Telegraph 10 The Ir'tD"<'
THROUGH IN ~ HoCRs

TxsssNurED
By Exprsss and Telegraph 10 The Tr1t1ne.
THROUGH ~ - HooRs
LEXINGTON, Ky. Nov. 49, 1917.
The announcement that HgsRY CLAY would TINS
dsy address his fellow citizens on TIE MExIcAs
WAR. It's causes objects, prosecution and probable
termination. drew together vas. concourse Of the
people Of the surrounding Counties, although the
atmosphere was wintry and the morning had been
rainy and cherries. At II o'clock, A NJ. The
hour sppointeil Mr.. CLAY made bis appearance,
and was greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the
assembled thousands
Gen. LESLIE COMBS called the meeting 10 order,
and hoped that perfect silence might be observed
AZ il vas probably the last time that the illusrious
friend now before them would ever address pop
ular assenblsge He had resolved to DO Il on this
occasion from high sense Of duty to himself ard
10 bis country. The momentoas question now pre-
sented 10 the American People Of the Annexation
by conquest or purchase. Of an immense foreign
territory inhabited by Millions Of People, Of diverse
races and colors who are necessarily TO be placed
on an equality with our own free white population
presents a crisis which permitted no man who loved
his country TO keep silence. Henry CLAY would
have been unworthy Of his past history had he
allowed any selfish considerations TO palsy his
tongue-most unworthy Of the honest fame OF him
who would rather be right than be President.
Gen. C. closed his brief observations by moving
the appointment Of Hon GEORGE ROBERTSON as
President Of the meeting with strong array OF
Vice Presidents and Secretaries Whose names viii
be given hereaiter)
rCLAr then came forward amid the cheers Of
the whole assemblsge, and, silence being at length
restored, proceeded to read the following hesolu-
tons, in which he had embodied the sentiments
which be proposed to illustrate and enforce In his
Speech
lst Rssolpsd As the opinion OF this meeting
that the primary cause Of the present unhappy Var
existipg betwe cen the United States OF America and
the D. g. Of the Republic Of Mexico was the An
peration OF Texas TO the former, and the immediate
occasion OF hostilities between the two Republics
arose out OF the order OF the President OF the United
States for the removal of the Army under the com
mand of Gen Taylor from its position at Corpus
Christi 10 point opposite Matamoras on the east
bank OF the Rio Bravo, within the territory claimed
by both Republics, but then under jurisdiction OF
NJ
of the President for the removal Of ehe Army TO that
point was improvident and unconstitutional 1t being
without the concurrence OF Congress, or even con
sultation with 1t. although 1t was In session. but
that Co ngress having 10y it's subsequent acts recog
nxed the War thus brought into existence without
it, previous authority consent the prosecution OF
It became thereby national
3D. Resolved, That in the absence OF any for
NAL and public declaration by Congress OF the Oh
lects for which the War ought to be prosecuted the
President Of the United States. as Chief Maeis-
trate M Comm nder in chief OF the Army and Ma
w of the United States, is left to the guidance ol
his own Judgment 10 prosecute II Tor such purposes
and objects AZ he may deem the honor and interest
Of the nation to require
Sd Resolrsd That, by the Constitution OF the
United States, CoDgress-beng invested with
power 10 declare war and grant letters OF marque
and reprsals TO make rules concerning captures by
land and water. to raise and support armies to pro
vide and maintain q navy and 10 make rules for
the government of the land and naval forces-hss
the fullest and most complete warmaking power
OF the people OF the United States, and SO possess
ing it. has right to determine upon the motives
causes and objects OF war, when once com
nenced, or at any time during tho progress oil Its
existence.
ltb. Pssolpea Az the farther opinion Of this meet
ing that it il the duty Of Congress to declare, by
some authentic act, for what purpose and object
the existing war ought to be farther prosecuted
capacity to conform to such declaration OF Con
gress; and. if after such declaration the President
sbould decline or refuse 10 endeavor by all the
means civil diplomatic and military, IN his power
to execute the announced Will OF Congress, and Ia
defiance OF ts authority, should continue to prose
cute the w ar for purposes and objects other than
those declared by that body 1t would become the
right and duty Of Congress TO adopt the most ehca
cous measures arrest the farther progress of the
War, taking care to make ample provisions for the
honor, the safety and security OF our armies ~
Mexico in every contingency and n Mexico
should decline or refuse TO conclude treaty witt
US stipulating for the purposes and objects so de
clared by Congress il would be the duty OF the
Government to prosecute the WARMTH the utmost
visor, until they were attained by Treaty o.
Peace.
5th Resolved That we view with serious alarm
and are utterly opposed 10 any purpose hke The
nexation Of Mexico to the United States in any
mode. and especially by conquest that We be
lieve the two Nations could not be happily gov
erned by one common authority, owing to then
great difference OF race law language. and rei
zion and the vast extent OF their respective tern
torres and large amount Of their respective Popula
tons that such a union, against the consent OF the
exsaperated Mexican people, could only be effected
aud preserved by large Standing Armies, the con
slant application of Military iorce-in other words
by despotic sway exercised over the Mexican PEG
pie In the frat instance but which there would be
be extended over the people OF the United States
that We deprecste, therefore, such a union as
wholly Incompatible with the genius of our Gov
eminent aud with the character OF our free and Ito
erai Institutions and we snxously hope that each
Nation may be left in the undistarbed possession
Of its own laws. language. cherished religion and
territory to pursue its own happiness according Il
what IL may deem best for itself
9TH Resolved, That considering the series o.
splendid and brilliant victories achieved by Out
brave armies and their gallant commanders during
the War with Mexico. unattended by single re
verse. the United States without any danger o.
their honor suffering the slightest tsrnish can prsc
tice the virtue Of moderation and msgnanimity to
ward their discounted foes and say, We have
no desire tor the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the Republic
OF Mexico. bot wish only just and proper adjust
ment Of tho limits Of Texas
It'll Resolved That do positively and EN-
phstically disclaim aud dissvow any wish or de
sire on our part to acquire any foreign territory
whatever for the purpose Of propagatng Slavery
or Of introducing Slavery from the United States
into any such foreign territory.
eth. Rssolred That we invite our fellow citizens
of the United States who are anxious for the re.
tcrst,on Of the blessings of Peace, or DESTROYS il
the existing War shall continue to be prosecuted
that its purpose and object shall be defined and