The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-15

THE GREAT sPEEOH
OF THE
III ON. III E N RY CLAY
ON THE
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vile, and the writer of this, had comfortably en-
sconsed themselves at table on the platform,
with pens, ink, and paper, all ready, when Mr..
Clay arose, came forward, looked round, and
stated, that he was opposed to any report of his
speech being taken, as he had been frequently
misrepresented; that he intended to have it
printed under his own supervision, and would
furnish copies then to all. In vain we remon-
srated, and offered to allow him to revise our
notes. The fiat had gone forth, and he declined
our proposition, If we persisted in reporting
him, he said, he would not speak at all.
! mention these circumstances, In order to ac-
count for the slight, but sufficiently important,
sketch which am able to give
Gen. LESLIE COMBS called the meeting to or
der, and hoped that perfect silence might be OBJ
served, as it was probably the last time that the
llustrious individual now before them, would
ever address popular assembly land he resolved
to do it on this occasion from high sense of
duty to himself and to the country. The mo-
mentous question now presented to the Ameri-
can people, was the annexation, by conquest or
purchase, of an immense foreign territory, inhab-
tied by millions of people of different races and
colors, and placing them on an equal footing
with the free white citizens Of this republic.
Such question, such consummation, permit
ted no man, who loved his country, to remain
silent, and HENRY CLAY would have been
unworthy of his past history, if he had allowed
any selfish considerations to palsy his tongue.
He was the man who had rather be right than
be President of the United States.
On motion of Gen. COMES, the Hon. John
Robinson was appointed president, with long
array of vice presidents and secretaries
Mr.. CLAY then rose and offered the following
deeply important resolutions
lst Resolved a. the opinion Of this meeting That the
tween the United states Of America and tho United
States Of the Republic Of Mexico the annexation Of
to the former and the %Msa:ts occasion .
order Of the President Of the United States for the
moval Of the army under the command of Gen Taylor
from Its position at Corpus Christi to point opposite
Matamorss on the bank Of the Rio Bravo within
the territory claimed by both republics but then under
the jurisdiction Of Mexico and Inhabited by its citizens
That the order Of the President for the removal Of the
army to that point, was improvdent and uucorstitu
tious 1t being without the concurrence Of Congress-
consultation tn It, although 1t in session; but
Congress having by Its subsequent scts recognized
the thus brought into existence without its pre-
thereby national
I'd Resolved That in the absence Of any formal and
public dsc.s.tion By Consrs:: Of the objects for whsh
United States, as chief magistrate, commanderin
chief Of the army and navy Of the United States h left
to the guidance Of his judgment to It for
such purposes and he may deem the honor and
interest Of the nation to require
81. Resolved, That by the consent Of the United
States Congress- being invested with power to declare
and grant letters Of marque and reprisal to make
sas to and msntsn navy and
rules for the Of the land and naval
forces has the fullest and most complete war making
power of the people Of the United States and
Ing it. has right to determine upon the motives causes
and objects Of wars when once commenced or at any
time during the progress Of their existence.
4th Resolved as The farther opinion Of the meeting
that 1t s the duty Of Congress to declare, by some
authentic act for what purpose and OBJECT the
Of tho President in his ocial capacity to conform to
such declaration ofCongress and IT, after such decara
ton the President should decline refuse to endeayor
by all the means, CIVIL diplomatic and military, in his
power execute the announced will Of Congress- and,
In defiance of its authority should continue and prose-
the purposes and objects other than those
declared by that body 1t would become the right aud
duty Of Congress to adopt the most ecscious measure
to farther progress Of the taking
make ample provisions for the honor the safety and
security Of armies in Mexico In every contingency
treaty with STIMULATING for the purposes and objects
declared by Congress, 1t would be the duty Of the
government to prosecute the war with the utmost vig
lance, until they were attained by treaty of peace.
5th Resolved That we view with serious alarm, and
utterly opposed to purpose like the annexation
ofMexico to the United States in any mode, and espe
ciay by conquest; that we believe the two nations
could not be happily governed by common authori
ty owing to their great difference Of language
and religion the vast extent Of their respective ter
rtories and the large amount Of their respective popus
tions that such union against the of the
ssperated Mexican people, could only be effected and
by large standing armies and the constant ap
pcation Of military force In other words by despoc
to
bend might In process Of time, be extended the
people Of the United Staten that deprecae, there
fore such union, as wholly incompatible with the ge-
MUS Of our government and with the character Of
free and liberal institutions and anxiously hope
that each nation may be in ths undsturbed posses
/ NJ ita cherighed
territory to pursue its own happiness according to what
| II may deem best for itself
and, brilliant victories achieved by our brave armie
and their gallant commanders during the war will
states without any danger Of their honor suffering tn,
slightest tarnish, practise the virtues OF moderation
and maenanimity towards their discounted foe; W
have no desire for the dismemberment OF the Republic
of Mexico, but wish only just and proper hxation
| the limits Of Texas.
7th Resolved That we do positively and emphatcal.
dsclaim and disavow any wish DESIRE on our part
acquire any foreign territory whatever for the purpo
OF propagstpg slavery, or OF introducing slavery iron
the United States into any such foreign territory
sth Resolved, That We invite our fellow citizens o
the United States who anxious Tor the restoration
Of the blessings Of peace If the existing shall
tnue to be prosecuted DESTROYS that it's purpose
object shall be defined and known; who anxious &c
nd b" ars sso m
contentment and satisfaction at home and to elevate
the national character abroad to assemble together in
their respective communities and to express tte views
feelings and opinions on the subject
Mr.. CLAY then spoke. He commenced by sta.
ting his opposition to having his remarks report
ed, until they had undergone his own supervi-
sion, as the subject upon which he was about to
speak was one upon which he wished not to be
misrepresented. He then proceeded to compare
the gloomy state of the weather to the present
condition of the country. We were now, he
said, engaged in bloody war-that most DESC
lating of terrors-which, when associated with
pestilence and famine, was placed in the fore
most rank Of human evils. Many persons had
compared the opponents of the present war with
our next neighbors to those who h opposed the
war of 1912 with Great Britain. lie denied thai
such a comparison was just. In 1912, the wal