Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-12-01
SPEECH OF MIR. CLAY,
At the Aass Meeting In Lexington, Kentucky,
On Saturday, .Nou. 10, Is47.

Alter inc organization Of the meeting, Mr.. Ola
rose and addressed it substantially as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
The day is dark and gloomy, unsettled and I'm
certain like the condition of our country in ron,
10 the unnatural war with Mexico. The public
mind ID agtated and anxious and is filled with So
rious apprehensons to its indefinite continuance
and especially as to the consequences which its ter
mutation may bring forth, menacng the harmony
II not the existence, Of our Union
IL Is under these circumstances. present mysel
before YOU No ordinary occasion would hay,
drawn me from the retrement in which live hu,
whist single pulsation of the human heart re-
mains, II should IT necessary, be dedicated to tn,
service OF ones country. And have hoped thar
although am private and humble citizen. an ex
preston OF the views and opinions entertain. mipb,
form some little addition TO the general stock of in
formation, and afford small assistance in deliver
ing our country from the perils and dangers which
surround it,
have come here with no purpose to atempt 70
make fine speech, or any ambitious oratorcai dis
play. have brought with me no rhetorical bon
quets to throw into this assemblagc In the circle
OF The year autumn has come, and the season of
flowers has passed away. In the progress of wears.
my spring time has gone by, and loo am in Tho
autumn of life, and feel the frost of ape. NV de-
sire and aim are to address you, earnestly, calmly
seriously and plainly, upon the grave and momcn-
tous subjects which have brought us together.
And am most solictous that not solitary word
may fall from me, offensive to any party or person
IN the whole extent of the Union
War, pestilence and famine by the common con-
sent of mankind, are the three greatest calamites
which can befal our species; and war, as the most
direful, Justly stands foremost and in front Pes,i
lencc and famine, no doubt for wise although in
scrutable purposes, are infections OF Providence In
winch It Is our duty, therefore, to bow with obe
dience, humble submission and resignation. Their
duration is not long, and their ravares are Limited
They bring indeed great a1ction whilst thew last,
but society soon RECEIVERS from their effects War
is the voluntary work of our own hands and what
ever reproaches 1t may deserve should be directed
10 ourselves. When ii breaks out, its duration is
indefinite and unknown--its vicssiudcs are hidden
from our View In the sacrifice of human life, and
IN the waste Of human treasure in its losses and in
It's 6urlhens II affects both belligeren nations and
Its sad effects Of mangled bodies, of death. and of
desolation, endure long after its thunders are hush
ed In peace. War unhinges society, disturbs its
peaceful and regular industry, and scatiers poison
Gus seeds OF disease and immortality, which continue
to germnate and diffuse their baneu influence ono
after i, has ceased. Dazzling by its glitter. pom9
and pageantry, 1t begets spirit of wild adventure
ana romantic enterprise, and often dsqualifies those
who embark In it, after their return from the bloody
heds OF battle, from engaging in the industrious
and peaceful vocations of life
we are Infnrmed BY statement which IS anna
rently correct, that the number of our countryme,
slain In this lamentable Mexican war. althongh il
has yet been of only lS months existence is eoual
to one-haf of the whole of the American loss durnu
the seven years war Of the Revolution And I
venture TO assert that the expenditure of treasure
which 1t has occasioned, when it shall come to he
tairly ascertalned and footed up will be found
to be more than half of the pecuniary cost of the
war OF our Independence. And this is the CON
dltlon OF the party whose arms have been every
where and constantly victorious
How did we unhappily get involved in this war?
IL was predicted as the consequence of the annexa
ton OF Texas 10 the United States. If we had not
Texas we should have no war. The people were
told that 1t that event should happen, war would
ensue. They were told that the war between Tex
as and Mexico had not been terminated by treaty.
OF peace; that Mexico still claimed Texas as a re-
VOTED province and that, if we received Texas in
our Union, we took along with her, the war exist
ing between her and Mexico. And the Minister
of Mexico formally announced to the Government
at Washington, that his nation would consider the
annexation of Texas to the United States as produ-
cling state Of war. But all this was denied by
the pariizans Of annexation. They insisted we
should have no war, and even imputed to those who
foreold it, sinister motives for their groundess pre
dctOn.
But, notwithstanding a state Of virtual war ne
cessary resulted from the fact of annexation of one
OF the belligerens to the United States actual hos
tllities might have been probably averted by pru-
dence, moderation and wise craftsmanship If
General Taylor had been permitted to remain.
where his own good sense prompted him to believe
he ought to remain, at the point of Corpus Christi
and II a negotiation had been opened with Mexico,
IN true spirit of amty and Cancellation, war posi-
bly, might have been prevented. But, instead of
this pacific and moderate course, whilst Mr. Slidel
was bending his way TO Mexico, with his diploma
tic credentials, General Taylor was ordered to trans
port his cannon, and TO plant them, in warke at
titude, opposite TO Matamoras, on the east bank of
the Rio Bravo, within the very disputed territory
the adjustment Of which to be the object OF Mr.
Slidell's mission. What else could have transpired
but conflict of arms?
Thus tho war commenced, and the President
after having produced it, appealed to Congress-
bill was proposed TO raise so 600 volunteers and
III order to commit all who should vote for it, pre-
amble was inserted falsely attributing the com
mehcement of the war TO the act of Mexico.
have no doubt of the patriotic motives of those who
after struggling to divest the bill Of that fragrant
error, found themselves constrained to vote for it,
But | must say that no earthly consideration would
have ever tempted OF provoked me TO vote for bill
with palpabe falsehood stamped on its face. Al
most idolizing truth, as do, never, never could
have voted for that bill.
The exceptionable conduct Of tho Federal party
during the last British War; has excited an inhG-
enco in the prosecution Of the present war; and pre-
vented just discrimination between the two wars
| That was war of National defence, required fo
the yindication Of the National rights and honor
and demanded by the indignant voice oPthe people
President Madison himself, I know; st first reluc
tatly aud with great doubt and hesitation ,brough
himself TO the conviction that it ought to be decla
red. leading, and perhaps the most Influential
member Of his Cabinet, Mr.. Gallatin.) was, up Il
the time VI its declaration opposed to it. But no
thing could withstand the irresistible force of publ
sentiment. II was Just war, and its great object
as announced at the time, was, Gree, Trade an
Sailors Fights" against the intolerable and op
pressve acts Of British powef on the ocean Tn