The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-24

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After tine organization OF the meeting Mr. Clay rose
and addressed il substantially as follows:
Ladies' and Gentlemen: The day is dark and gloomy
unsettled and uncertain, like the condition oil
try IN regard To the unnatural with Mexico. The
public mind il agitaed and anxious and is filled with Sc
ous appEehensions to its indefinite continuance, and
especially to the consequences which its termination
may bring orh menacng the harmony, II not the exist
ence. of our Union.
II ID under these circumstances present myself before
YOU No ordinary occasion would have drawn me from
the retirement in which live but whilst single pull
saon Ct the human heart remains it should, if necessa
have hoped that, although ! am private and humble
citxen expression of the views and opinions enter
tam might form some little addition TO the general stock
OF information, and afford small assistance in delivering
our country from the perls and dangers which surround
it.
have come here with purpose to attempt to make
line speech or any ambitious oraorical display have
brought with rhetorical bouquets TO throw into
this assembage In the circle of the year, autumn has
come. and the season of flowers has passed away In
the progress OF years, my spring time has gone by and
too am in the autumn OF life and feel the frost Of age
My desire and aim to address YOU earnestly calmly
seriously and plainly upon the grave and moentos
solicltous that not solitary word may fall from often
sve to any party or person in the whole extent OF the
Union
War, pesdlence, and famine. by the common consent
OF mankind the three greatest calamites which
befai our species; and war, the most dreful justly
stands foremost and in front Pestence and famine no
doubt for wise, although nscrutable purposes, nlc
tons of Providence to which it is our duty therefore to
bow with obedience humble submission, and resgna
ton Their duration is not long. and their ravages
limited They bring, indeed, great affection whilst they
last but society soon RECEIVERS from their effects War
is the voluntary work Of our own hands and whatever
reproaches may deserve should be directed to ourselves
When it breaks out, its duration is indefinite and
knownits vicisstudes are hidden from our view. In
the sacrifice of human life, and in the waste of human
treasure in it's losses and in its burdens, affects both
begeent nations; and its sad effects OF manged bodies
OF DEATH and OF desoaton endure long after its hunders
hushed in peace. War unhnges society," disurbs its
peaceful and regular industry, and scatters poisonous
seeds OF disease and immortality which continue to ger
inmate and duse their banefl influence long after il
ry, beges spirit Of wild adventure and romantic en-
terprise, and often dsquaies those who embark in il
after their return from the bloody fields of battle from
fif s IN the industrious and peaceful v0'''0ns
We are informed by a statement which is apparently
correct that the number OF connymen slain in this
lanentabe Mexican war, although it has yet been OF
only eighteen months existence, is equal to one half OF
the whole of the American loss during the seven years
war OF the revolution And venture to assert that the
shall to be fairly ascertaned and footed up will be
found to be more than half Of the pecnay OF the
of independence And this is the condition of the
party whose arms have been everywhere and constantly
How did we unhappily get involved in this war; Ii
Texas to the United States. If we had not Texas, we
should have war. The people were told that if that
event happened, war would ensue They told that
mated by treaty OF peace; that Mexico still claimed
Texas as revoed provinces; and that, if we received
Texas into our 9 h n we took along With her the
Mexico formally announced to the government at Wash
ingon. that his nation would consider the annexation
Of Texas to the United States as producing state Of
war But all this was denied by the partisans Of annex
alton. They insisted should have no war; and even
imputed to those who foreto it. sinister motives for
their groundless prediction
But notwithstanding state of virtual war necessarily
resulted from the fact OF annexation OF OF the bege
rents to the United States. actual hostes might have
been probably avered by prIdence moderation and
craftsmanship. II General Taylor had been permitted to
remain, where his own good sense prompted him to be-
s Re remain Sa At the point Of GGus Christ
true spirit of amy and Cancellation, war possibly might
have been prevented; But instead of this pacific and
moderate course whilst Mr. Slidell bending his way
to Mexico with his diplomatic credentials, General Tay
ior was ordered to transport his and plant them
IN warlike attitude, opposite to Maamoras, the
bank ofthe Rio Bravo, within the very disputed terrific
~ the adjustment Of which to be the object of Mr.
Slders mission What else could have ranspired but {
Thus the commenced, and the President, afte
having produced il, appealed to Congress. bill was
proposed to raise $4,000 volunteers; and order com
init all who should vote for it, preamble was inserted
falsely attributng the commencement of the the
act of Mexico. have doubt of the patriotic motives
OF those who, after struggling to dyest the bill of thai
hagrant error found themselves constrained to vote fol
IT. But must say, no earthly consideration would have
ever tempted or provoked me to vote for bill, with
palpable falsehood stamped its face. Almost idoliz
ing TRUTH as do never, never, could have voted fol-
that bill.
The exceptonable conduct of the federal party during
the last British has excited influence in the pros
ecuon of the present war, and prevented Just dscrim
snation between the two wars That a war of ma
tional defence, required for the vndicaon of the ma
tiOna rights and honor, and demanded by the Indignant
voice of the people. President Madison himself know
at first reluctantly and with great doubt and hesitation
brought himself to the conviction that it ought be de
clared A leading and perhaps the most influential mem
Der Of his cabinet (Mr Galatin) was. up to the time Of
s deciaratlon opposed to it. But nothing could with
stand the irresistible force of public sentiment II was
just war. and it's great object announced at the time
was Stree trade and sailors rights against the ntoer
BILE and oppressive acts of British power on the ocean
The justice of the war; far from being denied or conro
verted, admitted by the federal party which only
questioned it on considerations of policy. Being DELHI
erately and constutionally declared, it was think
their duty to have given to their hearty CO. operation
But the mass of them did not They continued to oppose
deny the power of the general government to march the
niita beyond limits and to hold Hartford conven-
don which, whatever were its real Objects bore the as
pect of seeking dissolution of the Union itself They
lost and justly lost the public confidence But has not
apprehension of similar fate, of case wide.
y different, repressed fearless expression of their real
sentiments in some of our public men,
How totally variant is the present war This is no
war OF defence, but unnecessary and OF offensive
gression. is Mexico that is defending her sides
her castles and her altars-not And how different
also is the conduct OF the wing party of the present day
from that of the major part of the federal party during
the prosecution of the war; if the wings in office are re-
proachabe at all it is for having lent too ready facility
to IT. without careful examination into the objects of the
war And, out of Office, who have rushed to the prose-