The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-09
SPEECH OF MIR. CLAY
a the Mass Meeting at Lexington, kentucky,
On Saturday, November ll, 1917.

u Inc UoSS Mectlns ~ NXlneIOh, Acututky,
On Saturday, November Il, 1917.
from the Lexington Observer and Reporter.
Alter the organization Of tho meeting,
Mr.. Clay rose and addressed it subst antial
~ as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The day is dark md gloomy, unsettled
and uncertain, like the condition OF our
country, in regard to the unnatural war
with Mexico. The public mind is agitated
aud anxious, and is filled with serious mp
prehensions as TO its indefinite continuance,
and especially ~ TO tho consequences
which ito termination may bring forth. me-
nacing the harmony, il not the existence,
Of our Union.
Il is under these circumstances, ! pre-
sent myself before you. No ordinary &c
casion would have drawn me from the re-
sirement in which live; but whilst stu
Rlo pulsation Of the human heart remains,
It should, if necessary be dedicated to the
service Of ones country. And have hop.
Cd that, although um private and hum
bio citizen, an expression Of the views and
opinions entertain might form some little
addition to the genera! stock Of informa-
ton, and afford smnll assistance in deliv-
ering our country from the pcr'ls and dan-
gers which surround il.
havo come here with no purpose to nj.
tempt to make fine speech, or any ambi-
tious oratorical display. ] have brought
with me no rhetorical boquets 10 throw in
10 this assennblage. In tho circle Of the
year, autumn has como, and the season OF
flowers Inns 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 nrc to ad-
dress You earnestly, calmly, seriously, and
plainly, upon the grave aud momcntous sui
iccts which have brought us together. And
/ am most sO!icitous that not n solitary
word may fall from mo offensive to any
pavty or person in the whole extent OF the
Union.
War, pcsiilence and famine, by the com
mon consent Of mankind, are the three
greatest cslamties which can bcfall our
species; and war, rs the most direful, jn,t'
" stands foremost and in front. Pcstilcncc
and famine, no doubt for wise although in
scrusablc purposes, are infections Of Proyi.
dencc, to which il is our duty, therefore, II
bow with obedience, humble submission
and resignation. Their duration is no,
long, and their ravnges ore 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, aud Whatever rcproaches il
msy deserve should be directed to ourselves
When il breaks out, its duration is indeii
mite and unknown--its vicissitudcs are hid
den from our view. In the sacrifice Of hu.
man life, and in the waste Of human treas
ure, in it, losses and in its burthcns, i ac
fects both belligercnt nations; and it's sad
effects Of manglcd bodies, OF death, and o
dssoIation, endure long nitcr its thundcrs
are hushed in peace. War nnhinges soci
ety, disturbs its peaceful and regular indus
try, and scattcrs poisonous seeds Of disease
and immortality, which continue to GERM
nate and difiusc their banefu influence long
after il has ceased. Dazzling by its glitter
pomp and pageantry, il bcgets spirit o
wild adventure and romantic enterprise
and often disqualities those who embark il
il, after their return from the bloody field.
Of battle, from engaging in the industrious
and peaceful vacations Of life.
We nre informed by statement which
ID apparently correct, that the number o.
onr countrymen slain in this lamcntabIt
Mexican war, although il has yet been o
only Is months existence, Is equal to one
half Of the whole Of the American loss du
ring tho seven years war Of the revolution
And | venture to assert that the cxpendi
ture Of treasure which il has occasioncd
when il shall come to be fsirly asccrtnined
and footed up, will be found to be moro thar
half Of the pscuniary cost Of the war Of oul
Independence. And this il the condition
Of the party whose arms have been every
where aud constantly victorious!
How did NO unhappily get involved il
this wsrf Il was predictad ns the conse
quence Of the annexation Of Tcxns to ths
Uaited States. Il No bad not Texas, VI
should have no war. The people wcr'
told that il that event happened, war woult
sssus. They were told that the war be
tween Texas and Mexico had not been ter