The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-11-23
MIR. CLAY'S SPEECH,
AT LEXINGTON, KY. SATURDAY, Nov. Is
TIE MEXICAN WAR, &c.

Mr.. CLAY commenced by stating his opposi-
ton TO having his remarks reported until they Lad
undergone his cwn supervision, as the subject up
on which he was about TO speak was one which lie
wished not TO be misrepresented. lie then pro-
ceedcd to compare the gloomy state oil the wealth
or to the present condition OF the country. VIC
were now, he said. engaged i'll bloody War, that
most desolating Of terrors, which when associated
with Pestience and Famine, was placed III the
foremost rank of human evils. Many persons
had compared the opponents of the present War
with our next neighbors TO those who had opposed
the War of 1912 with great Britain lie denied
that such comparison was just In 1917 inc
War was one of defence on our part from the az
eressions of England TWAS War whose Objects
were most emphatically and truly summed up IN
these few words, Free ITdde and Sailors Lighfs.
We sought to defend our sailors from being drag
.ed from our ships, and being compelled to fight
AGAINST n country with which we were in amiiy I;
we sought to preserve our rights upon the high
seas. and not 10 allow Great Britain TO sweep US
off. That was War Of the People. They willed
il and they wore in favor of its being carried on
He smoke from actual knowledge when he stated
that Mr. Madison was personally opposed to the
War. How would the present War contrast with
that For what object was t declared
1t was created by the act OF Mr.. Folk, ratified, 1t
is true. by the act of Congress 1t was created in
TAYLOR to march upon the Rio Bravo 10 point
opposite Matamoros The President acted thus
while Congress was in session, without consulting
that body. When, however, supplies were de-
manded for our Army andits dangerous condition
stated. Congress voted for them. Wings and all
voted them supplies. In this act they did as he
would have done; they voted the necessary sup
plies. But they were wrong in voting TOR what
they knew to he a lie that the War existed by the
frf truth
that sooner than subscribe to such falseheed, he
would have laid down life itself. They had been
warned when the Annexation of Texas was first
moved, that if they took Texas they would have
to take her war also. The assertion was hooted
at No such fears need be entertained. 1t was
said then the boundaries could be anica6ly settled
What, however, was the fact! Was not the pres
ent War a consequence of q boundary dispute
At the very time when our Army was ordered 10
march on Aiatamoros to take possession OF the
disputed territory, Mr. Slidell was on his way to
the CITY of Mexico to enter into negotiations Tor
the settlement of the same disputed question
Why not wait until Mr. SlidclFs mission had been
fulfilled 1t had been stated over and over again,
that the Wings were enemies of the country for
speaking against the War-tlat they deserted her.
Was this the case! Have not the Wings been as
prominent in fighting on the bloody fields of Mex
co as their opponentsl Have they not spilled |
their blood as freelyl War now exists; but we
nave made no declaration of the object of that
War. 1t therefore, behoves Congress to declare |
what are the objects and upon what terms the |
Wai with Mexico will cease. In Monarchies the |
xar-making power is vested in the King; in this |
country it rests with the People through their
in Congress. This is distinctly |
vowed in the Constitution. 1t is true, the Presi-
lent has the power of making Treaties, but they
ire all based upon the acts resolutions OF Con-
yress regarding Reciprocity in trade, and upon
which some ten or o dozen treaties haye since
,een founded. II, therefore, on such comparative
v unimportant subjects as Trade and Commerce,
he President takes his instructions from the Peo-
lie Represented in Congress bow much stronGeris