The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-16
THE LEXINGTON PLATFORM.

Inc pOsltlOnS aSSumeu ny MT. clay IN MS
first resolution we believe to be incontrover-
tible. We do not see how it is possible to
deny, with any semblance of truth, the cor
rectness of them. They embody the facts
Of the case in few words, and the concur
sions stated appear to us to be irresistible
The doctrines herein taught are Wing doc
trines-are the doctrines of truth. We do
not see how Wing, who desires to get at
the truth in the examination Of this subject,
can dissent from this resolution. And yet,
when, day or two ago, we stated precisely
the same positions and drew precisely the
same differences from them, we were told by
a distinguished Wing, that they were not
Wing positions. What will that gentleman
say, now that Mr.. CLAY has proclaimed the
same sentiments and stated the same facts
The second resolution is true, but it is a
hypothetical resolution. The law of May
18th, 1916, is entitled, !" An act providing
for the prosecution of the existing war be-
tween the IT, States and the Republic of
Mexico" 1t declares, in its first section,
"That for the purpose Of enabling the Gov
ernment, (not the President, Of the United
States to prosecute said war to speedy and
successful termination, the President be and
he is hereby, Sc. &C." Now thislanguage
is :" "a formal and a public declaration by Con-
gress Of the objects for which the war ought
to be prosecuted )" and if we had the power
we should most unquestionably punish the
President to the extent the Constitution pro-
vides, for not obeying this injunction Of the
law-maklng and war-declaring power Of the
government He has failed, purposely failed
to prosecute the war to speedy and success
ful termination. Every soldier in the army
would testify to the truth Of such charge.
The whole country now testi6es to it with a
loud voice. While, therefore, the truth Of
this resolution is obvious, it seems to over
look the fact that Congress did on the 18th
Of May, 1916, make a formal and public
declaration of the objects for which the war
ought to be prosecuted.
But the vindication of the power of Con-
gress set forth in the third resolution is com
| plete. Congress can undoubtedly alter the
act Of the 18th Of May, 1916, and change
the objects for which the war shall be con
tinued. This is Wing doctrine, and for
aught we know, Democratic doctrine too,
until it shall suit the Democratic leaders to
deny it. We do not understand Mr.. Clay
to charge that the last Congress did not de-
clare the objects for which the war was to be
prosecuted, tho the second resolution might
SAVIOR Of that charge indirectly, and will, no
doubt, be made to appear as sustaining it ;
but, we take it, the second resolution was
introduced to lead to the principle asserted
in the third, and if so, every man in the
country, who is not eaten up with party pre-
! judice, must acknowledge the Justice and
truth of the sentiments expressed.
The doctrine of the fourth resolution will
be acquiesced in by every Wing in the I'm
ion, we are sure, and by every Democrat,
too, who loves his country above his party.
That duty therein set for this incumbent upon
Congress to discharge at the earliest possible
day Of the coming session, we have continu-
ally urged and shall continue to urge with all
the power we possess. Congress owes it to
the country and to the world to alter the act
of the 18th of May, 1916, and again declare
for what purpose this war shall be continued,
if continued at all, or to declare when and
how it shall be brought to close. We have
Frustrated an enemy Of nine millions Of peo-
| pie They are at our feet. Their central
government is really at an end. The leader
Of the hosts Of Mexico, introduced from exile
into his country by the act of our Chief Ma
! gistrate, wanders from house to house, and
village to village, fugitive and under the
ban even Of the pretence for government
set up in Pena y Pena. The second con-
quest of Mexico has been achieved. Cortes
and all his brilliant deeds have been thrown
into the shade by Taylor and Scott and their
valiant soldiers. And still there is no peace.
Still the war has not been prosecuted to a
"speedy and successful termination" Sure
ly, it becomes Congress to declare again for
what this war shall be continued, or whether
and how and when it shall be closed. That
Congress will do so and that too quickly, we
doubt.not
Mr.. Clay, in his denunciation in advance
Of the Executive veto upon any act declara-
tory of the further objects of the war or re-
speeding the war, if those objects should not
be approved by the Executive, speaks senti-
ments which will be responded to by the
whole Wing party, and large part Of the
Democratic party. The country IS heartily
tired of the usurpations of the President, but
so long as he can frame excuses for them, It
bears with him but let Congress speak the
sentiments Of the nation upon this war, and
let him dare to veto them--he will find his
chair still more uncomfortable than it has
been. That Mr.. Polk would willingly join
issue with Congress, we fully believe, provi-
ded, the declaratory resolutions are such as
to enable him to appeal to the passions Of the
country for his justification. 1t will become
Congress, therefore, to take care that he shall
not have the opportunity to place that body
in false position. 1t will depend upon the
nature Of any new declaratory resolutions re-
speeding the war, whether there will be any
opportunity for a veto; SO that it is useless to
discuss probabilities. Stopping the supplies
for further prosecution of the war would be a
harsh policy, and tho there are circumstances