The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-24
Oniclnl-Mr. Clay's Speech.

At length we are enabled, as we do this morn
ing, to give the recent speech of Mr. Clay in its
perfect shape, as it came from his own lips, and
from under his own revision For this we are
indebted to the North american newspaper, of
Philadelphia, and we return thanks for its kind
ness in enabling us to give this document to the
world.
The first thing which strikes us in reading
this speech, is the remarkable accuracy of our
telegraphic report, which we received ten days
ago in this city, at o clock on the Sunday morn
ing after the speech was delivered at Lexington,
being above thousand miles distance, in ten
hours. The view given in the condensed report
furnished by that sketch, corresponds exactly with
the speech, as now published by Mr.. Clay, ex-
cept with one single exception or discrepancy,
and that is, in reference to the bay of San Fran
cisco. Mr.. Clay is willing, IN Withdrawing our
armies from Mexico on this side of the Rio
Grande, and in abandoning our conquests in that
country, to purchase the bay of st. Francisco, as
the only trophy and the only indemnity which,
as great and generous people, we ought to
exact from Mexico, in her present humbled con-
diuon. In all other leading points the speech
reported by the telegraph, was perfectly accurate,
and Identical with what we now publish.
This official speech is most astonishing pro-
duction-eertainly on the side of peace, against
the possession or annexation of Mexico, and in
favor of preserving the Union in its present
limits. We consider it, beyond doubt, as the
mist powerful, the most eloquent the most
pointed, the most energetic speech which ever
proceeded from the lips of Mr.. Clay. Its effect
upon the wings must be great and Overwhelming
and though the first report of this speech pro-
duced great astonishmeRt in this community
and great differences of opinion among wings,
yet the interval of ten days seems to have soft
ened down these diffiulties, and to have pre-
pared the way for a combined and uni
versal effort of the wings in support of Mr..
Clay, and to make him their candidate for the
Presidency, on the principles which he has now
enunciated. The friends of Taylor and Scott
among the wing ranks, have been for some time,
rather vociferous; but it seems they are now
quoted, charmed and ovcrborne by the passion
ate enthusiasm of Mr.. Clay's friend Whethe
the first excitement produced by this eloquent
speech twill subside and enable them to re-
cover their ground, time will tell. Mr. Clay's
doctrines are, undoubtedly, well put for
ward. The picture which he draws Of the
lamentable consequences which might per.
chance fall upon this Union from the annexa-
ton of Mexico, will make powerful impress.
sion. We have thought otherwise, and we yet
cling TO our first opinion, being more disposed
to look forward to the benefits accruing from
the conquest of Mexico, as the great event the
day, than to calculate upon future evils, or to
harbor the thought of danger to the progress of
society. At all events, the great question, the
mighty issue of annexation or remuneration is
now before the people of this country, and will
be discussed in all its aspects up to the next Pre-.
sidential election.