Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-11-19
MR.. CLAYS MANIFESTO.

its outlines were published the Philadelphia
papers of Monday, as we learn from the Bull
letin. Mr.. Clay, however, told the reporters
present, that he would not speak, If they did
not desist from reporting his address. inasmuch |
as he had been ms-reported so often before
He will furnish an authentic report for the
press. We find, however, the resolutions
which Mr.. Clay introduced before making his
speech, and which were adopted by acclama- |
ton, and we spread them before our readers
at length We do so for two reasons: In the
first place, because we feel assured they will
henceforth form the political creed of large
portion of the Federal party; and as such, our
readers ought to be acquainted with them
and in the second place, because we think it
more than probable, from present indications,
that Mr.. Clay will be the Wing candidate for
the Presidency, and therefore hepeople ought
to be made acquainted with his views upon
the all-important question of the Mexican
war.
These resolutions in the main, take the ul
ira Wing ground on the war question. There
is one of them, however, the 9TH, which we
do not, perhaps, precisely, understand, Does
Mr.. Clay, in that resolution, intend TO endorse
the doctrine of the Wilsnot Proviso' or does
he think that he has SO formed it, that it will
meet the views of the Abolitonists OF The
North, as well as those of the people OF the
South We have no doubt the forming OF
that 9TH resolution cost Mr.. Clay more troub-
lie than all the others put together. tits very
cunningly done up, but the people of the
South must see through it. That resolution
is, in truth and in fact. an endorsement of the
Wilmot Proviso, and its Trainer intended II
thus to be construed by the Abolitionists and
Proviso men of the North. But we have not
space for heightened comment this week.
We shall recur to this subject so soon as we
see Mr.. Clay's speech:
Resolutions, submitted by the Hon. Henry
Clay, at the Public Meeting held in Ler-
ington, Ky NoU. 10, l847.
1st Resolved, AS the opinion of this meet
ing that the primary cause of the present I'M
happy war existing between the United States
of America, and the United States o. the Re-
nubIic of Mexico, was the ANNEXATION OF
TEXAS to the former, and the Immediate occa-
sion of hostiIities between the two Republics,
arose out of the order of the United States, for
the removal of the army Under the command
of General Taylor, from its position at Corpus
| Christi, point opposite 10 Matamoras. on the
east bank of the Rio Bravo, within the terri
tory claimed by both republics, hut then un-
der the jurisdiction of Mexico, and inhabited
by it's citizens that the order of the President
| for the removal of the army TO that point, was
| improvident and unconstitutional it being with
| out the concurrence of Congress, or any con-
sultation with it, although it was in session
| but that Congress, having by subsequent acts
recognized the war thus brought into existence
without it's previous authority or consent, the
prosecution of it became thereby natural.
I'd. Resolved. That in the absence of any
formal and public declaration by Congress OF
the objects for which the war ought TO be pro.
secuted, the President of the United States, as
Chief Magistrate, Ct as commander In Chief OF
the army and navy of the United States, is lief,
to the guidance of his own judgment TO prose
cute to such purposes and objects as he may
deem the honor and interests of the nation 10
require
Sd. Resolved, That, by the Constitution of
the United States, Congress being invested
with powers to declare war and grant letters
of marque and reprsal, TO make rules concer.
ming aptures of land and water, to raise and
support armies, to provide and maintain ma
w, and to make rules for the government Of
the land and naval forces, has he fullest com
pIete war making power of the United States
and so possessing it has a right to determine
upon the motives, causes and objects of war
when once commenced, or at any time during
the progress Of its existence
4th RESOLVED, As the further opinion of thu
meeting, that it is the duty OF Congress to de
clare, by some authentic act, for what purpos.
and object the existing war ought to be fur
Their prosecuted; that it is the duty of the Pre-
sident, in his official conduct, to conform II
such declaration of Congress; and if, afte
! such a declaration. the President should de
cline or refuse to endeavor, by all the means
civil, diplotatic, and military, in his power, t,
execute the announced will of Congress, AM
in defence of its authority should continue t,
prosecute the war for purposes and object
other than those declared by that body, i
would become the right and duty of Congress
to adopt the most efficacious measures to ar
rest the further progress of the war. takin:
care to make ample provisions for the honor
the safety. and security of our armies in Mex
leo in every contingency; and if Mexic,
: should decline or refuse to conclude a treat,
with us, STIMULATING for the purposes and OBJ
jects SO declared by Congress. it would be tn
duty of the Government to prosecute the wa
with the utmost vigilance, until they were at
tanned by treaty of peace.
5h. Resolved, That we view with seriou
alarm, and are utterly opposed to any purpos
of annexation of Mexico to the United States
in any mode, and especially by conquest-tha
we believe the two nations could not be hap
; PLY governed by one common authority, ow
ing to their great difference of race, law, Ian
guage and religion, and the vast extent @
their respective territories and large amount q
their respective populations-that such unio
, against the current of the exasperated Mex
can people, could only be effected and presel
we'd by large standing armies, the constant an
plication of military force, in other words. b
despotic sway exercised over the Mexica
people in the first instance, but which ther
would be just cause to apprehend it might i
process of time, be extended over the Who'll
people of the United States-that we depre
cate, therefore, such union as wholly incon
patibe with the genius of our government
and with the character OF our free and liner;
institutions, and we anxiously hope that eac
nation may be left in the undisturbed posse.
of III lob