Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-11-24
From @e Special beportor q tie :. Daily .Nt,cs ,,
FIR. CLAWS
RESOLUTIONS AND SPEECH AT LEXINGTON.
LEXINGTON, (Ky1 November u ,sa7

1 NEoObUIiUNo lND nj LEAtNuIUN,
LEXINGTON, (Ky.) November IS, lS47.
The announcement that HENRY CLAY would adj
dress The citizens of Lexington to day drew topetb-
er an immense cOncourse. The day opened plooln-
lily enough, and rain fell during the morning but
before the meeting was organized it had cleared suf
| hcently TO permit the meeting to be held at the
time appoinod-ll o'clock a. NJ
At that hour vast crowd had gathered from all
quarters, and it appeared that many had come Il
great distance the most intense anxiety prevailed
and the accustomed enthusiasm which Mr. CLAW in
variably awakens in the people was every where
manifested. The Prophet that had foretold the war
was 10 answer the yearning desire of the nation to
know how the unholy war, whose advent he had
prophesled, should be brought TO close: how the
country should protect itself from the reckessness
OF biindiy ambitious and weak minded President.
and the will Of the nation 90 made known in lis
most impressive form. All seemed 10 feel that it
was deeply important event. that would stir the
Union from one end to the other and it was in that
spirit they awaited the advent of the Saoc of Ash
land.
Mr. CLAY assembled the platform, accompanied
by some of his friends amid universal and tremen-
dous shouts, and took his seat. He looked well,
and his form was erect and his eve bright as ever
Gen Leslie Combs called the assemblape to or
der, and remarked that he hoped perfect order and
silence would be observed, as it was probably the
last time the iustrious statesman then before them
would address popular assembly. He had resolv-
ed to do 1t on this occasion from high sense of du
ty to himself and his country. The momentous
question now presented to the American people of
annexation, by conquest or purchase, of an immense
extent OF foreign territory, inhabited by millions of
! people Of different and colors and placing
them on an equal footing with the free citizens of
this Republic, permitted man who loved his
country to remain silent, and Henry CLAY would
be unworthy of his past history il he allowed any
selfish considerations to palsy his tongue He had
rather be right than be President.
Gen Combs concluded his remarks by nomina
| ting the Hon. Mr. Robinson as chairman; and the
nomination, together with those of considerable
number of vice presidents, confirmed bv accla-
niatlOn Ihc Injecting ''Uny thus fully orr; anizod-
Mr.. CLAY rose and presented himself to the peo-
pie. His appearance was hailed as before with ire
mendOus shouts, 10 which followed deep and GEN
eral silence, and he then offered and read the fol
lowing resolutions, which he had prepared:
! LIST. Resolred AS the opinion of this meeting.
that the primary cause of the present unhappy war
existing between the United States OF America and
the United States of the Republic of Mexico, was
the annexation Of Texas TO the former and the i'm
mediate occasion of hostliiies between the two Re
pubcs out of the order of the President of the
United States for the removal of the army under
Gen. Taylor from its position at Corpus Christi to
point opposite TO Matamoras, on the east bank of
the Rio Grande within the territory claimed by
both Republics, but then under the jurisdiction of
Mexico. and inhabited by its citizens; that the or
der Of the President for the removal of the army TO
that point was improvident and unconstitutional, il
being without the concurrence of Congress, or even
any consultation with it, although it was in session
but that Congress having by subsequent acts recog-
Missed the war thus brought into existence without
its previous authority or consent, the prosecution o
it became thereby national.
I'd. RcsOlUcd, That in the absence of any forma
and public declaration by Congress of the objects
for which the war ought to be prosecuted, the Pre-
sident Of the United States, as Chief Magistrate
( and as COMMANDMENT Chief of the Army and Na
Wy Of the United States, is left to the guidance O
his own Judgment TO prosecute it for such purpose
and objects he may deem the honor and interest
e. of the nation TO require.
7 Sd. ReSOiUed. That, by the Constitution OF tn
} United States, Congress being invested with pow
ers 10 declare and grant letters of marque an
+ reprisal, to make rules concerning captures or Ian
1t and water. to raise and support armies, to provd
u and maintain a navy, and to make rules for the gC
+ vernment Of the land and naval forces has the fu
: and complete war-matng power Of the Unite
II States, and. so possessing it, has right 10 dete
s. mine upon the motives, causes, and objects of war
when once commenced, or at any time during the
progress or existence.
4th Rcs0ired. AS the further opinion Of q
b. meeting, that is the duty of Congress to declar
IS by some authentic act for what purpose and obc
I'd the existing ough: to be further prosecuted
Is that it is the duty Of the President in his ollici
&c conduct to conform 10 such a declaration Of Co
G. gress and if. after such declaration the Preside
- should decline refuse to eDdeavor, bv all {
Of means, civil. diplomatic, and military, IN his powC
n TO execute the announced will of Congress, and
e. defiance of its authority should continue to pros
| cute the war for purposes and objects other TN
t. those declared by that body, it would become t
Sc right and duty Of Congress to adopt the most ci
eir cacious to arrest the further progress Of
war, taking care TO make ample provision for
it honor, the safety, and security Of our armies
ut Mexico in every contingency and if Mexico sIo'
a decline refuse 60 conclude treaty with us, st
lie, ulatng for the purposes and objects 50 declared
$ ? Congress, it would be the duty Of the Governm
VI TO prosecute the war with the utmost vigilance
cir til they were attained by treaty of peace
nd 9Th. Rcsolred, That we view with serious alat
ter and are utterly opposed 10 any purpose of anne
nd ton of Mexico 70 the Uuited States, in any mo-
NY and especially by conquest that VIC believe the {
rec nations could not be happily governed by
AL mon authority owing TO their great difference
as race, law, language, and religion, and the vast
at tent of their respective territories and large amo
the of their respective populations that such uni
nd against the consent Of the exasperated Mexican
pet Ple could only be effected and preserved by ia