The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-20
The Resoiutiou..

war, existing between the l nited States of Amer
lea, and the United States Of the Republic of
Mexico, was the annexation Of Texas to the
former; and that the immediate occasion of hos
Utilities between the two republics arose out Of
the order Of the President Of the United States
for the removal Of the army under the command
of Gen. Taylor, from its position at Corpus
Christi to point opposite 10 MatamOras, on the
East bank of the Rio Bravo, within territory
claimed by both Republics, but then under the ju-
risdicion of that of Mexico, and inhabited by
its citizens; and that the order of the President
for the removal Of the army TO that point, was
mprovident and unconstitutional, it being with
out the concurrence of Congress, OF even any
consultation with it, although it was in session /;
but that Congress having, BY subsequent scts,
| recognized the war thus brought into existence
| without It's previous authority or consent, the
prosecution Of it became thereby National.
>. ResOired, That, in the absence Of any for
NAL and public declaration by Congress, of the
objects for which the war ought TO be prosecuted
the President Of the United States, as Chief
Magistrate, and as Commander in Chief Of the
| Army and Navy of the United States, is left to
the guidance Of his own judgment to prosecute
| il for such purposes and objects as he may deem
the honor and interest Of the nation 20 require
3. Resolred, That BY the Constitution of the
United States, Congress, being invested with
power TO declare war, aud grant letters Of
marque and rePrizal, 10 make rules concerning
captures on land and water, TO raise and support
armies, 10 provide and maintain a navy, and TO
make rules for the government of the land and
naval forces, has the full and complete war ma
king power Of the United States; and, so pos
sessing it, has right TO determine upon the mo-
tives, causes and objects of any war, when il
commences, or at any time during the progress
Of its existence.
4. ResOlosd, as the further opinion Of this
meeting, that il is the right and duty of Con-
gress 10 declare. by some authentic act, for what
purposes and objects the existing ought To be
further prosecuted; that il is the duty Of the
President, in his official conduct, TO conform 10
such a declaration Of Congress; and that, if af-
ter such declaration, the President should de-
cline or refuse to endeavor, by all the means,
civil, diplomatic and military, in his power, to
execute the announced will Of Congress- and, in
defiance Of its authority, should continue 10
prosecute the war for purposes and objects 9TH
er than those declared by that body, it would be-
come a right and duty of Congress TO adopt the
most ethcscious measures arrest tie further pro
gress Of the war, taking care to make ample.
provision for the honor, the safety and security
Of our armies in Mexico, in every cOntiagen-
cy. And, if Mexico should decline or refuse to
conclude a treaty with US, stipuisting for the
purposes and objects SO declared BY Congress, it
would be the duty Of the Government 10 prose-
cute the war with the utmost vigor, until they
were attained by treaty Of peace.
). ResOlsed. That we view with serious alarm,
and are utterly opposed TO any purpose of an
nexing Mexico TO the United States, in any |
mode, and especially BY conquest; that we be. |
lieve the two nations could not be happily gov |
erned by one common authority, owing TO their |
great difference Of race, law, language and re- |
ligion, and the vast extent Of their respective |
territories, and large amount Of their respective
populations; that such union, against the con-
sent Of the exasPerated Mexican people, could |
only be effected and preserved by large standing /
armies, and the constant application Of militia /
ry force-in other words, by despotc sway ex-
ercised over the Mexican people, in the first in
stance, but which, there would be Just cause TO
apprehend, might, in process Of time, be extend |
ed over the people Of the United States. That
we deprecate; therefore, such a union, as Who'll
ly incompatible with the genius az our Govern
msnt, and with the character Of free and liberal |
institutions; and anxiousIy hope that each |
nation may be left in the undistuIbed possession
of its own laws, language, cherished religion
and territory, TO pursue its own happiness, ac-
cording TO what il may deem best for itself.
8. ResOIred, That, considering the series of
splendid and brilliant victories achieved by our
brave armies and their gallant commanders, du-
ring the war with Mexico, unattended by n sin.
gle reverse, the United States, without any dam
ger Of their honor suffering the slightest tarnish,
can practice the virtues Of moderation and mag
nanimity towards their discomfited foe We
have no desire for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
[ Rited States Of the Republic of Mexico, but
wish only sjust and proper adjustment of the
limits of Texas
Z. Res0lred, That we do, positively and en-
Phsticaly, disclaim ana disayow any wish or de-
sire, on our part, 10 acquire any foreign terri
tory Whatever, for the purpose Of prOpagatinr
slavery, or Of introducing slaves from the Uni
ted States, into such foreign territory.
{. Resotoed, That we invite our fel!ow-citi-
zens Of the United States, who are anxious for
the restoration Of the blessings of peace, OF, if
The existing war shall continue TO be prosecuted,
are DESTROYS that its purposes and objects are de-
hned and known; who are anxious 10 avert pres
int and future periIs and dangers, with which it
nay be fraught; and who are also anxious to
produce contentment and satisfaction at home
Ind TO elevate the national character abroad, TO
assemble together in their respective communi-
les, and TO expires their views, feelings, and
opinions.
Mr.. CLAY commenced by stating his oppo-
ition TO having his remarks reported until they
lad undergone his own supervision. as the sub {
ect on which he was about 10 speak was one
lpon which he wished not to be misunder- :
TODD.
He then proceeded TO compare the gloomy r
tate Of the weather to the present condition !
4 the country. We were now, said he, en-
aged in bloody war,-that most desola-
ing OF all terrors, which, when associated with
esaiience and famine, was placed in the FORE y
most rauk. l1 ~ 4
Many persons had compared the opponents of v
ne present war with Mexico, 10 those who had v
PPosed the war Of 1912 with Great Britain -
at ne denied that such comparison was Just. o
n 1872 the war was one Of defence, on our