The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-15
Great Public Meeting at Lexington Ciays
Speech and Resolutions.

lish this morning. an accurate anu coHiPrcheh-
sve report of the important proceedings which
took place at Lexington, in Kentucky, on Saiur-
day last, the day before yesterday, and to give
our readers at length the important resolutions
presented by Mr.. Clay on that occasion, with an
accurate condensed report OF his speech on the
same occasions but first we ought to notice the sin
gular opposition which Mr.. Clay appears to have
made to any publication Of his speeches by gentle
men connected with the newspaper press. About
eight years ago, when the distinguished states
man of Massachusetts, Daniel Webster, made
remarkable speech at PatchOgue, only about
one hundred miles distant, we believe, some
of his friends made the same objection to
any effort on the part of the newspaper press IN
the way of reporting. At the present day, by
means Of a great combination, we can
transmit reports over distance of one thousand
miles, with greater ease and facility than we did
then over distance Of hundred. We are sorry
10 perceive that Mr.. Clay, otherwise an enlight-
ened man and great statesman, Is still behind
the progress of the age, as far as regards the
newspaper press. The idea of misrepresenting
such man, is absurd But enough.
The speech and resolutions of MIR. Clay are
matters of the deepest importance, IN the present
crisis of the country. After mature deliberation
on the origin and history of the war, this dis
tingushed statesman has taken ground against
all acquisition of territory, even that OF Cali
fornia He seems to be distinctly in favor of re-
firing to the original limits of Texas, without
asking indemnity for the waste of money and
munitions of war during the last two years.
This is certainly a most extraordinary position
for Mr.. Clay to take. AT the commencement OF
the war, it may be remembered that he delivered
a speech at New Orleans. If that speech was
correctly reported, he seemed to entertain, then,
sentiments materially different from those which
animated his mind on Saturday last.
The ground which Mr.. Clay assumes of retir-
ing to the undsputed limits of Texas, ard of
abandoning the pesitioas which we now hold in
Mexico, including California, would certainly
solve without difficulty, the slavery question con-
tanned in the famous Wilmot proviso. Such a
solution corresponds very much with the prin-
ciples of the Missouri compromise of past times,
a measure in which Mr.. Clay took distinguish
ed part The censures which are passed on the
President for commencing hostlliues, may be
partially merited; but Mr.. Polk and the govern
ment are human beings. They are the children
of humanity They are liable to err, as all are.
II they expose themselves to the weather, they
will catch colds. We cannot expect Presidents,
or Secretaries, or governments, to be without
sin, until we can bring down an angel from
heaven to govern US, or give majority to Gabriel
himself, and make him occupyth White House.
Under the circumstances of the country, who
could have avoided war with such an obsti-
nate, self-wiled, Ignorant, presumptuous people
as the Mexican leaders are {?
Mr. Clay in some measure, therefore, correct
ly describes Mr. Polk and his administration,
and his management of the war; but in giving
this description, he ought to have made allow
ances for ordinary capacities, human weakness,
and comparative ignorance.
Mr.. Clay's speech and resolutions begin an i'm
portant movement before the country. They
will become the rallying cry of great party,
composing much of the talent, wealth, and In
telligence of the nation. He calls on Congress
TO adopt his views, TO give directions to the Pre-
sident to call back our armies, and to abandon all
our conquests. In the present condition OF par
ties in Congress- we should not be surprised to
see such a step attempted, and even successful;
but there is another and higher tribunal, before
which Mr.. Cay's resolutions, and the action OF
even Congress, must pass, and that is, the trIbu-
nal of four or FIVE millions of the people OF the
United States, at the next Presidential election.
Looking at our position before the world-at the
progress of the age-at our relations with Eu-
rope--we think it is extremely doubtful if the
people of the United States should demonstrate
their adherence to the views and policy of Mr.
Clay. At all events, in one respect we hail Mr..
Claws speech and resolutions with great JOY and
approbatlon. The issue will now be joined be-
tween the administration of MIR. Polk and those
who oppose il, on the question OF the Mexican
war. Tie wings will rally under the banner Of
Mr. CLAW all over the country, and endeavor, In
assuming that ground, to carry conviction OF It's
propriety and correctness to the minds OF a ma
joriry of the American people.
The great question to be decided at the next
Presidential election is now, therefore, almost
made up. Shall we abandon all our conquests
and positions in Mexico, as advised by Mr.. Clay,
and retire TO the undisturbed limits OF Texas /!
Have we wasted oceans of blood and treasure,
and require no indemnity from the proud,
naughty and insolent chieftains OF Mexico |!
These embrace the great issues and If Mr.. Clay
rs TO be the representative of the wings on that
issue. they could not have a greater, holder,
more generous or more magnanimous candidate.
This speech and these resolutions breathe mag
nsnimity, iirmness, moder ltion, peace; but they
stop the American people in mid career. They
will, no doubt, be approved of by the nations OF
Europe, and by all who dread and fear the pro-
gress of the United States as one of the leading
powers of the world Who may be the repre-
sentative of the government party-whether Mr..
Polk OF any other distinguished man-we cannot
tell. 1t seems to us, at this moment, that Mr..
Polk himself is the only one On whom his party
can combine all its force. The contest is begun.
STEAMER GuADALQUIvER-The iron steamer
Guada,quiver, which came out from England
under Captain Hoskins, and reftted here, arrived
ut Havana on the 9th ult, in passage of seven
days. This is by no means as good as his At
,,.aaoa, MANY of our nacl eta encnn,rI; III