Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-12-10
Mr.. CLAWS Speech.

we uOuDt HOl that, CIV ho"' ''"N
readers have read, more than once the last no.
BILE contribution of Henry CLAY to the PEAcE-
AGENCIES that are at work to compel cessation
nj this unnatural and indeiensible war-llnnatu-
raj. because it is between people protesting and
ayowinr the same great principles of political
Freedom and Equality, and indetensible, be-
cause it was commenced without sufficient
cause, and is not waged to maintain any OF
those great principles. 1t is getting to be worse
than idle for the apologiss of Mr. Polk to as
sort and re.assert the tcntimcs-reluted preten-
ces on which the course of that short-sighted
politician is justified. The story of wrongs in
ficted by Mexico on the American People, of her
refusal to pay her indebtedness TO our citizens
and of her invasion of our soil have grown very
stale. I, is miserable and shallow pretence.
with not enough of truth in it to galvanize il
into a respectable show Of life And, what is
better for the cause Of Peace and Humanity,
the PEOPLE of the United States know it. The
numbers of those who are dcluded by the So
phi.tries Of the Administration and its parasites.
and who have been restrained from the express
sion of their sentiments of adherence of the
war and its authors, are growing fewer every
day. The GLORY of an unjust and aggressive
war, wagcd by a great, enlightened, civilized,
christanized, and FREE government, like ours,
npon feeble and distracted ncighbor of similar
political faith. is assuming its true size and
shape as the false atmosphere which has been
created for it, the fogs and clouds of a false
Patriotism, are passing away.
But the war has been 1" sanctioned by Con-
press." saw the Presses of Mr.. Polk. Soft has,
we admt-by a species of unworthy jugglery,
TO be sure. but sanctioned, nevertheless. But.
in the name of common scn-e, does That make
it any more just war, any the less iniquitous
in its commencement, OF any the less deserving
the strenuous efforts of all friends Of humanity
and the true honor Of their country, to bring it
20 an immediate termination? Because it has
been sanctioned by Congress is reason why
our armies should obey the orders of the Gov
eminent and fight its battles; and is a reason
why the heroic vaor and good conduct of those
armies should receive the high commentator
they merit. We cast no jot of the RESPONSE
biity Of the war upon the gallant officers and
soldiers whose blood has been shed in Mexico.
We admire their heroism and self-sacrfcng
energy, worthy, as they are, the nobest cause
that can engage human sympathes and human
efforts. But this is mt such cause; and the
war shorM be maae 10 cease. There is not, in
our Judgment, a single reason under heaven,
that respects either the nations rights or the
nations honor, that demands its continuance
another day. Nothing has yc, been secured by
il but renown for the proves OF our arms. No
boundary has been established. (indecd all boun-
daries appear now to be uncertain , nor has a
dollar of the indemnity money" been brought
nearer to claimants pocket. For every
American citizen" that has been I" murder-
3D." as Locoloco papers love to say, ten misera-
bic Mexicans have been sent to their final ac-
count. The score of "inuries," at least, may
be said to be fairly balanced! Mexico has
been, one might reasonably think, sufficiently
chastised, and made to perceive the heinous.
ness of robbing our citizens and of refusing 10
nav her own dcb.s-a lesson which Mississippi
and Alabama rcpudators have been appropr-
ately engaged in teaching her She was a
bankrupt before the war began, and she is ten
times bankrupt now--her debts increased, her
Government overthrown. and her means of pay
ment destroyed-and still the wonder among
the war-party is that she does not "pay up
and thus stop the war! Who is there TO " pay
up or TO stop the war! She has no Govern
mcnt that is likely to last 81 hours! She is
driven to the wall; and there she stands, like a
poor rickety boy, while We Yankees (or . Anglo
.;axons, as we take pride in calling ourselves
like big bully, stand shaking our big fists at
her deitnceless, though obainate, head We
are great people, and this is magnanimous
war.
Nobly has Mr.. Clay established his claim to
the most honorable title that can be given &c
man--the GREAT PACWICAToR-by the stand
he has taken in reference to this abominable
war. lie stands as the champion of Right
Justice, Humanity, and the true Honor Of biz
Country. In obedience to the maxim that has
always regulated his public career, he has, in
this as in other memorable instances resolved
TO DO RIGHT AND FEAR 40 MAN" and the
calm consciousness of rectilude places him ia
above the reach of the malice and bitter abuse
that have always pursued him through long
useful and honorable life. lie stands before H.,
American People, and the world as the Apvo
CATE OF PEACE, and the decided opponent o
the further continuance of this unnecessar,
war and this position confcrs more honor upol
him than could any bcstowment of Place an,
Power, while, at the same time, it designate
him as The worthiea 10 receire them.
We cannot better conclude than by auotin,
the following from the Christian World, a pape
printed in Boston, and lone of the most ear
NEST and influential OF those journals inten
"on testing every institution and usage by til
"standard of Christianity, and fearlessly cor
"demning all that do not bear its test. w
find the extract in the New York Iribune.
Therefore we are extremely glad that such hia
wing authority as Mr. Clay, should have qualified Il
vote of supplies by such plain language as that lu
quoted lie seems 10 think thai n politician IN publ
life is not to tell untruh more than a common ma
in private life For this opinion, thus publicly al
plainly expressed, we heartily thank hiin.
Very glad are we 10 hear from Mr.. Clay the mo
decided word for peace which has come from any
our public men OF the wing parry They have indul
ed many OF them, in vague defamation against Il
war mud against the president TOR bringing il about
But scarcely any one hitherto has dared TO point out
pIuctica way by which the wings, having The pow
in the next House OF Representatives, may he able a.
uialy To trmnntc tho present war, They have ~