Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-11-23


self
Mr.. Clay came cut strongly against thu
extension Of slavery-deplorin2 lis exis
tence--but declaring that it was an un
avoidable evil where il NOW exists II,
regarded the determination not to acquire
territory, as the most certain means 0
avoiding the difficulties which surrounded
this important but delicate subject
The speech occupied two and hal
hours in is delivery, and but a sketch o
It's most important points IS here given
Tho speaker confined himself closely Il
his resolutions. and they embrace all thu
PRINCIPLES which he advanced and discus
sed
Tie Resolutions.
l. Reyofrcd, as the opinion Of this
meeting. that the primary cause OF the
present unhappy war, existing between the
United States Of America, and the [ nitcd
States Of the Republic Of Mexico, was the
annexation Of Texas 10 the former; and
tnat the immediate occasion of hostilitics
between the two republics arose out Of the
order Of the President Of the nted States
for the removal Of the army under the com
mand of Gen. Taylor. from its position at
Corpus Christi to point opposite To Nata-
tioras. on the East bank Of the Rio Bravo.
within territory claimed ~ both Republics.
but then under the jurisdiction Of that OF
! Mexico. and inhabited by its citizens: and
that the order of the President for the re-
moval Of the army to that point, was I'M
providcnt and unconstitutional, it being
without the concurrence of Congress. or
even any consultation with it, although ii
va, Ii session; but that Congress having,
by subsequent acts. recognized the war
thus brought into existence without It's pre-
,ious authority or consent, the prosecution
of it became thereby National.
2. Rcs0lrcd, That. in the absence OF
amy formal and public declaration by Con-
gress. of the objects for which the war
ought to be prosecuted the President OF the
nited States, as Chief Magistrate. and as
nmander-in-Ch Chief Of the Army and Ma
" Of the nitcd States, is left TO the gui-
dance Of his own judgment to prosecute it
for such purposes and objects as he may
deem the honor and interest OF the nation
to require
3 RcsoIrcd. That, by the Constitution
of the United States. Congress being in
vested with power to declare war. and
grant letters of marquc and reprisal. to
make rules concerning captures on land
and water. TO raise and support armies. to
provide and maintain a navy. and to make
rules for the government Of the land and
naval forces, has the full and complete
war making power Of the United States;
and, SO possessing it, has a right to deter
mine upon the motives, causes and objects
Of any war. when it commences, or at any
time during the progress of its existence.
T. Res0ircd. as the further opinion of
this meeting. that il is the right and duty
of Congress to declare, by some authentic
act, for what purposes and objects the exist
inc war ought to be further proSecutcd that
If is the President, in his official conduct,
to conform to such declaration Of Con-
gress: and that, if. after such a declaration,
the President should decline or refuse to
endeavor, by all the means, civil, diploma
tie and military, in his power. 10 execute
the announced will Of Congress. and. in
. iatiance 81 It's authority should contiEnt
To P'~ccutc the war for purposes and
objects Orr than those dcciar, I, by that
oouI' II "oul" '"como the right and duty.
Of Congress 70 ado: 49, of1;nac;o,,s
measures 10 Arrest the iI,-her progress Of
rue war t|-nlng care to make ..nplc proyi
ei"' ,pr the honor, the safety and ~acuritv
~ our armies in Mexico, III every coll>;n-
gcncy. And, if Mexico should decline or
refuse to conclude treaty with US. stipu-
iating for the purposes and objects SO de-
clared BY Congress. it would be the duty of
the Government 10 prosecute the war with
the utmost yigor. until u,ey were attained
be treaty OF peace.
s. Rcsoired. That we view with serl-
Gus alarm. and are utterly opposed to any
purpose of anncxng 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 com
mon authority. owing to their great differ
ence of race, law. language and religion.
and the vast extent of their respective ter
rit0lics. and large amount of their respec-
tive populations: that such union. against
the consent of the eXasperated Mexican
people. could only be effected and preserv
cd bv large standing armies, and the con-
slant application of military torce-in
other words, By deSpotic sway exercised
over the Mexican people. in the first IN
stance, but which, there would be Just cause
to apprehend. might. in process Of time.
be extended over the people Of the United
States. That we deprecate, therefore.
such union. as wholly Incompatible with
the genius Of our Government. and with
the character of free and liberal institu-
lions: and We anxiously hope that each ma
ton may be left in the undisturbed pos
session ot its own laws. language. cherish
cd religion and territory. IL pursue lis own
happiness. according to what il may deem
best for itself.
s. RsSoIrcd. That, considering the
series of splendid and brilliant victories
achieved by our brave armies and their
gallant commanders. during the war with
Mexico. unattended by single reverse.
the United States. without any danger Of
their honor suffering the slightest tarnish.
can practice the virtues Of moderation and
towards their discounted
foe. We have no desire for the dismem- /
be,;nent of the 'nited States of the Re-