The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-25
MIR. CIay's Movement.

Mr.. Clay's Movement
The telegraphic report of Mr.. Clays speech
and resolutions at the great meeting at Lexing-
ton, astonished the community; his own report
at length has staggered them. This remarkable
paper containing comprehensive view OF
the present position of the United States towards
Mexico, and predicting so forciby dark future,
strengthened by reference to the past history OF
twenty centuries, is we'll calculated to produce
great effect on the minds of the American people,
no matter whether in favor of remuneration or
annexation, in its whole length or breadth.
The brief report given originally by telegraph,
has been ten days before the people of New
York and New England; and Judging from the
complexion of the press, the whole wing party,
with few and uncomfortable exceptions, uphold
the views of Mr.. Clay, and assume the ground
laid out by him, the best policy for this coun-
try to pursue. The first establishment which this
extraordinary document created has evaporated,
and we have no doubt the whole wing press, re-
presenting large mass of the people, will unite
in support af Mr.. Clay's positions, and probably
in support of him for the Presidency.
The positions assumed in that speech are
couched in the most burning eloquence, calcu-
lated to produce great effect on every unpreJu-
diced mind In certain historical points, no
DOUBT MI. clay Is COIItct, III OtucTS Hc may NC
wrong We doubt whether the order of the Pre-
sident for General Taylor to advance beyond
Point Isabel to the banks of the Rio
Grande, was issued before the result OF
Mr.. Slidel's mission was known at Washing
ton. We rather think it was otherwise. 1t is
very probable, too, that the annexation of Texas
may have remotely led to the war with Mexico;
but there is no doubt the war was Immediately
~ nd nv nf the
Mexicans themselves. For many years past the
leading men among them had formed con-
temptible opinion of the United States, and
actually conceived the purpose of invading
this country and of reaching Washington as
conquerors. Nothing could have driven such an
idea from their minds but such war we have
seen waged during the last eighteen months The
result of this war will correct that error, and
prove, better than in any other way, the relative
strength and military capabilities of the two
countries.
In another point Mr.. Clay is probably near the
mark, IN attributing the continuance of the war,
and the necessity to reduce Mexico, to the want
of capacity in the administration, and particu-
larly in the War Department.
There can be no doubt that the War Depart
ment at Washington, has been, all along, most
profoundly ignorant of what was proper to be
done in order to accomplish its purposes. In
deed, this ignorance was not monopolized by
Mr. Marcy alone. Even General Scott, General
Worth, and most of the distinguished men, either
at Washington or elsewhere shared in the same
Ignorance as to what was best to be done on the
breaking out of the war. Gen. Gaines, who was
badly treated by his government, and Gen. Tay-
lor, who has not been very we'll treated by tap
pear to be the only military connected with the
administration, who had any correct ideas on the
subject. Had an army of fifty thousand men been
collected at once on the Rio Grande, the moral
effect of such force would have probably saved
the necessity of defeating the Mexicans in twen-
ty or thirty battles. We should have lost all the
glory, all the eclat, and all the reputation have
acquired by the brilliant campaigns of Scott and
Taylor, but we would have saved many valuable
lives, besides much treasure. But monopoly
of ignorance not sufficient to satisfy the War
Department. Their presumption and want Of
talent have only been saved from disgrace by
the bravery and skill of our generals-by the
spirit of our troops-by the chlvalry of the Anne
rican volunteers; a chivalry that has never been
surpassed in the history of the world. The
Treasury Department, in the management OF It's
finances; the State Department, in It's negota-
tons, have been creditabe TO those branches Of
the government but the War Department has
done us no credit, from the beginning of this war
TO the present time; and, although these cam
paigns will shine in history the most brilliant
on record, the glory of them ought to be mono
polIzed entirely by our generals and troops, and
not participated in at all, except very sparingly,
by the government.
So far as Mr.. Clays censures correspond with
these views so far we agree with the Kentucky
statesman. There is no use, however, in look
ing back on the past. We are compelled TO look at
the future-we must meet the issue before
we must reflect on the destiny OF this country
we must, as nation and people, determine on
what Is to be done with Mexico. This is the
great question of the day. This is the knotty
point that astonishes and staggers the whole
country On this point, Mr.. Clay's views are
expressed with the greatest freedom and in the
most burning eloquence. He is against all annex
ntlon,e except tits the harbor of San Fr1ncIs.
CO. He gives his reasons in strong language in a
most forcible style, and in a most convincing
shape. He assumes moral attitude, which,
were il to be adopted by the nation, would as
much astonish the countries of Europe by its sub
lime magnanimity, its almost heavenly. its
salnt-like forbearance, as they have been thun.
derstruck by the brilliancy of our campaigns, the
wonderful skill Of our generals, and the terrible
energy Of the troops under their command To
abandon all cur conoueata in Mexico-to ava