The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-13
Mr.. Ciay.-Mexican War.
Ertrae Of letter to the Editor of the Union, dated

EItrdt Of letter to the Editor Of the Union, dated
DETROIT, December s, 1s47.
In tbs section OF country the Mexican speech and
resolutions of Mr.. Clay at Lexington, on the 18th Of
last moth, have been before us for week two. The
public sentiment has been distinctly ascertained The
speech md resolutions universally reprobated by the
denocntlc party.
The patriotic and intelligent wings, who, seeing
the country engaged in war, are both theoretically and
efecualy chassed, condemn without hesitancy, the
course OF Mr. Clay calculated to encourage the per-
sewerage and obsnacy of the enemy, and to arnish the
nationd honor and character.
Another class of wings, who always rabid on the
subectoi slavery, charge Mr.. Clay with dupliclty In
ahon that question They justly say that in declaring
against the acquisition of more foreign territory for the
purpos OF popagang slavery, he only advances SEN
tment q which all southern men would concur; that
while hs speech and resolutions apparently intended
for thenorthem market, they are also designed to gain
southen supports and that therefore, he cannot receive
the SURFACES OF the wing party unless they are forced into
it by backed national convention.
The iboLtionists will not in any event. vote for HIM
The nmaining class of wings, always for Clay and
high protective tariff, will go for him, no matter what
speeches or resolutions he may present.
For myself admiring, as always have, the genius and
abilities OF Mr.. Clay, but dsagreeng with him on the
most prominent measures OF national policy yet must
expressmy deep regret that at this late period OF his life
he shord have appeared at Lexington in such cause
and fofsuch purposes his speech and resolutions dis
close They prove to demonstration that the Henry Clay
of 1914 is not the Henry Clay of 1917. They exhibit
but ONT point OF resemblance: at the former period
treaty q Ghent without obtaining from Great Brit
ain the recognition of any of the violated rights
to vintcate and establish which the war against
her was declared His Mexican speech and resou-
tons seam to contemplate and urge similar finale to
the Mexican war. Neither the unlawful claim of Eng
land TO impress seamen from ships the claim to
the rgh to blockade the ports OF whole continent, with
out actual naval force stationed before them to execute
the blockade. nor her extended claim to the right OF
search, vas surrendered in the treaty In word Stree
trade AMI sailors rights neither asserted
coded the treaty. To be the brilliant victories
achieved by and land and especially the
splendidrumph the British invader at New Orleans,
reconcd the American people generally to the pachcaon
of Client. They did not reconcile all: they did not so
reconcile the writer of this letter, who, while he illum
mated f0 every victory, refused to illuminate for treaty,
which he has always condemned ga lame and mpOent
conclusion of the war.
But the Lexington resolutions and speech exhibit
of the patriotic ador of the high sense of national
honor tone OF the indignant eloquence against foreign
wrong foreign treachery and insuferabe foreign nso
ence which Mr. Clay poured forth, and which resound
ed in the halls OF Congress in 1911 and 1872 The Mex
outfages upon commerce, the seizure and i'm
prisonmtnt Of citizens domciliaed under her laws
the soil Of Mexico, the violation OF her solemny plghed
faith towards those Americans whom she had robbed and
punder, only invite 'to practise the virtues Of
moderation and magnanmity towards dscomhted,' but
cowartly, cruel reacherous, and bloody foe. We are
again to make peace without eectng object of the
war Revived homilies upon ''war, peslence and fam
ine" are to reconcile to ignobe surrender Of all
that we have gained to base REIMBURSEMENT of all in
demny Tor the past or security for the futures to an un
glorious lives sacrificed, the sangunary fields of
Mexico
Never never must it be recorded that such has been
the sequel OF this matchless peace patched up
Mr. Clay to desire would only render future and
more bloody hostiltes with Mexico certain Border
difficulties would constantly occur. Resenments, heart
bumings, past Limitations, would incite daily ma
raudng expeditions against frontiers from the
guerillas and rancheros of Mexico, encouraged and
stimulated by her government Our peace and safety
would never be secure and the result would be another,
more expensive, more vindctive and savage war.
No. While at it, let this present contest close
every to future Mexican hoslities Let full
territorial indemnity be exacted for the expenses of this
Let money be given to Mexico, without this
previous indemnity, for any object whatever. Make her
support army until she establishes real republican
government, capable of maintaining itself solid,
constitutional principles; and then compel her, by
treaty, to reduce her permanent military force to very
limited amount, so as to render it Impossible that
her ambitious and pogate generals continue to usr
her executive power to effect lawless revolution after
revolution in her capital II her obstinacy and folly still
refuse these terms, let the continue at her expense
Our selfpreserva0n, permanent interest and tran
guilty require the adoption of the most decisive policy
part And the descendants of the Spanish invaders
and tyrants of Mexico whose blood-staned Cities vii
lagos and soil, three hundred and fifty years ago. attest
their atrocous cruelties towards the native Aztec
race cannot justly complain that 4" the poisoned chace
has been returned to their lips and that the retaatng
Justice OF Heaven, though slow, has at length raised
up people by whose policy and Mexico will have
her rights fully vndcated and her Liberties durably estab
shed on solid foundations.