Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-11-25
rua. cLAx.s SPEECH.


MIR. cLAx's SPEECH.
At one time, we INDUCED the hope that the
speech Of Mr.. Clay delivered at the Leying
ton mass meeting, would come TO hand in
time to enable as 10 lay il before our readers
in this weeks paper. To our very great dis
appointment, il has not yet come TO hand. In
the meanwhile we cannot help enjoying the
blank looks Of our friends, to some one Of
whom we are each moment compelled TO give
negative answer 10 the eager question, ''Iias
The speech came 2" What contrast does this
anxiety, on the part Of men of all parties, TO
hear the swords Of truth and soberness' from
the great statesman "who would rather be
rghtthan be President" present, to the listess
indifference with which all look forward to
the annual message Of Mr.. Polk How
many men are there within the limits of this
broad union, besides the adventures whose po-
litica fortunes are welded TO those Of the adj
minisraiIon, who even profess TO hold the
opinions of James X Polk in especial venera-
toni Except as an exponent of the designs
of the party OF which he is the nominal head,
who cares to enquire what James X. Polk
thinks, in regard to any of the great questions
which agitate the country? Divest him Of
the robes of Office and like his unenved pre-
decessor, be might travel from one end. of the
Union TO the other and scarce excite passing
notice. Alas, that such men should be entrust-
Oh a., r.. F.,
give in extenso, the resolutions offered by Mi.
Clay, which meet the unqualified approval Of
the Wings, and seem 10 have wonderfully
stirred up the black bile Of the Locoiocos and
the neutrais. The Union, in moment Of I'M
guarded candour, asserts that they form plat
form broad enough for the whole Wing party
10 meet upon. We hope the Wings will act
upon this suggestion, cease tneir premature
squabling about men, and rally at once under
the glorious old flag of "Liberty, the Union
and the National Prosperity"
P. S.--We have just received the extras
containing the speech, we purchased from the
Office of the Bait Patriot, one Of which we
present 10 each Of our subscribers.
REsoL
lst. Resolred, AS the opinion OF this meet
ing, that the primary cause of the present I'M
happy war existing between the United States
of America, and the United States Of the Re-
public Of Mexico, was the ANNExATIoN OF
TEXAS TO the former, and the immediate occa-
sion Of hoslities between the two Republics
arose out of the order of the President of the
United States, for the removal Of the army
under the command of General Fay lor, from
Its position at Corpus Christi, 10 point OPP
poste to NlatamoraS, on the east bank of
the Rio Bravo, within the territory claimed
by both Republics, but then under the iuris-
dlction of Mexico, and inhabited by its cti-
zens-that the order of the President for the
removal Of the army to that point, was impro-
vdent and unconstitutional, IL being without
the concurrence of Congress or consulta-
ton with il, although il was in session; but
that Congress, having by subsequent acts re-
cognized the war thus brought into existence
without its previous authority or consent, the
prosecution of ii became thereby national.
I'd. Resolved, That in the absence of any
formal and public declaration by Congress Of
the objects for which the war ought to bepros
eculed. the President of the United States, as
Chief Magistrate, and as Commander-in-
Chief of the army and navy OF the United
States, is left to the guidance Of his own judg-
ment to prosecute to such purposes and objects
as he may deem the honor and interests OF the
nation to require
3d. Resolced, That by the Constitution Of
the United States, Congress being invested
with power to declare war and grant letters OF
marque and reprsal, TO make rules concern
ing captures on land and water, TO raise and
support armies, TO provide and maintain a ma
W. andto make rules for the government OF
the land and naval forces, has the fullest com
plete war-making power of the United States,
and so possessing II, has a right TO determine
upon the motives, causes and objects Of war,
when once commenced. or at any time during
the progress OF It's existence.
Attn. Resoired, AS the further opinion of the
meeting, that it is the duty of Congress to de-
clare. by some authentic act, ior what purpose
and object the existing war ought to be further
prosecuted that it is the duty ofthe President,
in his official conduct, to conform to such a
declaration Of Congress; and If after such
declaration, the President should decline or
refuse TO endeavor, by all the means, civil, dip
lomalic and military in his power, to execute
the announced will Of Congress- and in def
ance Of its authority should continue 10 prose
cute the war for purposes and objects other
than those declared by that body, 1t would be-
come the right and duty Of Congress 10 adopt
the most elhcacIous measures 10 arrest the fur
tncr progress ol the war. tdhillS care 10 lldhe
ample provisions for the honor, the safety and
security Of our armies in Mexico IN every con
tingency and if Mexico should decline or re-
fuse 70 conclude a treaty with us, stipula-
ting for the purposes and objects so declared
by Congress, ii would be the duty Of the gov
eminent to prosecute the war with the utmost
vigilance, until they were attained by treaty
OF peace.
9th. ReSolred, That we view with serious
alarm, and are utterly opposed to any purpose
of annexation Of Mexico TO the United States,
in any mode, and especially by conquest
that we believe the two nations could not be
happily governed by one common authority,
owing to their great difference Of race, law,
language and religion, and the vast extent OF
their respective territories and large amount Of
their respective popuatons-thats such union
against the concurrence Of the exasperated
Mexican people, could only be effected and
preserved by large standing armies, the con
slant application Of military force; in otheI
words, by despotc sway exercised over the
Mexican people in the first instance, but
which there would be Just cause 10 apprehend