Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-11-27
Mr.. CLAY'S RESOLUTIONS AND
SPEECH. AT LEXINGTON.

Below will be found Mr.. Clay's resolu-
tons, adopted at meeting held in Lexing.
ton, KY, two weeks since. His speech on
the occasion, as prepared by himself, will
be published in our next.
Judge Robertson presided at the meeting
assisted by twelve Vice Presidents, and
several Secretaries. Mr.. Clay spoke for
two hours and a half A correspondent
of the Louisville Journal says the speech
of Mr.. Clay was great, not in flowing
rhetorical figures of speech, but because Of
the great mass of truths which it pre-
sented. 1t was great because it was argu-
mentative and carried conviction to every
mind. 1t delineated mos. powerfully all
the evils Of the Mexican war and the reck
less waste of money and blood, filling the
land with mourners and impoverishing the
treasury of the country to frightful ex-
tent, without even a shadow Of hope of
anything in the shape of reimbursement.
The eloquent speaker said that war was
bad enough when the national honor called
for it, and it was waged in accordance with
the constitutional voice Of the people, but
this war, said he, is a blot upon the glory Of
the nation which time can never efface.-
And when the old patriot spoke of his coun-
try's honor being furnished in the eyes Of
the nations of the earth, his language was
that of deep and burning indignation. He
awarded unparalleled glory to the Ameri-
can arms in every battle fought in Mexico,
yet he urged the immediate adoption of the
only feasible means of terminating the
war;"
Leslie Combs called the meeting togeth-
err, and said it was probably the last time
that the distinguished orator would ever
address popular assembly. He had re-
solved TO do so on this occasion from high
sense of duty to himself and the country.
The momentous question now presented
to the American people of annexing by
conquest or purchase an immense foreign
territory, inhabited by millions of people
of different races and colors, and placing
them on an equal footing with the free
Unite citizens of this Republic, permitted
no man who loved his country to remain
silent. and Henry Clay would have been
unworthy of his past history if he had al.
lowed any selfish consideration to palsy his
tongue.
He would rather be right than President.
Mr.. Clay's Resolutions, as adopted by the
People.
Resolved. As the opinion Of this meeting. that
the primary cause Of the present unhappy war,
existing between The United States of America
and the Unield States Of The Republic Of Mexico.
was the annexation OF Texas TO the former; and
that the Immediate occasion Of hoslilites 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 General Taylor
from its position at Corpus Christi TO point op.
poste 10 Malamoros, on the east bank Of the Rio
Bravo, within territory claimed by both republics,
but then under the jurisdiction OF that OF Mexico,
and inhabited by its citizens; and that the order
OF The President for the removal Of the army 10
that point was improvdent and unconstitutional,
it being without the concurrence OF Congress, or
even any consultation with it, although it was in
session; but that Congress having, by subsequent
acts recognised the war thus brought into ex.
islence without its previous authority or con.
SENT the prosecution OF it became thereby ma.
tional.
RESOLVED, That in the absence OF eny formal
and public declaration by Congress, Of The ob.
jecls for which the war ough. 10 be prosecuted,
The President OF the United States, as Chief
Magistrate and as Commander.in. Chief OF the
army and navy Of the United S,ales, is left to the
guidance OF his own judgment to prosecute it for
such purpose and objects as he may deem the
honor and interest Of the nation TO require.
Resolved, That, by the constitution OF the
United States, Congress being invested with
power to declare war and grant letters OF marque
and reprsal, to make rules concerning captures
on land and water. 10 raise and support armies,
TO provide and maintain navy and to make
rules for the government Of the land and naval
forces, has the full and complete war making
power OF the United States; and, so possessing
it, has right 10 determine upon the motives,
causes, and objects Of any war. when it common.
ces or at any time during the progress Of its ex
istence.
Resolved, As the further opinion of this meet.
ing. that it is the right and duty Of Congress to
declare by some authentic act, for what purpose
and objects the existing war ought to be further
prosecuted; that it is the duty Of the President,
in his official conduct, to conform to such a
declaration Of Congress; and that if, after such
declaration, the President should decline OF
refuse to endeavor, by all the means, civil. di.
plomstic and military, in his power, to execute
iha announced will Of Congress and. in def.