Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-11-25

49, W "AN iulCo COIiCCIIllg captures DV Idlu II
and water, to raise and support armies, to pro-
vide and MAINTAIN navy and to make rules for
the government of the land and naval forces. has
the fullest and most compile war making power
of the people Of the United States, and, so pos
sessing it, has right to determine upon the mo-
tives, causes and objects Of war, when once
commenced, or at amy time during the progress
of its existence
ResolDcd AS the further opinion of this meet
ing, that it is the duty of Congress to declare,
by seine authentic act, for what purpose and OBJ
ect the existing war ought to be farther prosecu-
ted that it is the duty of the President in his
official capacity to conform to snch declaration
of Congress; and, if after such declaration the
President should decline or refuse to endeayor
by all the means, civil, diplomatic and military,
in his power, to execute the announced will of
Congress, and, in defiance of his authority,
should continue to prosecute the war for purp0s-
es and objects other than those declared by that
body, it would become the right and duty of Con
gress to adopt the most eflicacious measures to
arrest the farther progress of the war, taking
care to make ample provisions for the honor, the
safety and security of our armies in Mexico in
every contingency; and if Mexico should, de-
cline or refuse to conclude treaty with us stip-
ulatng for the purposes and objects so declared
by Congress, it would be the duty of the govern
ment to prosecute the war with the utmost vigor,
until they were obtained by Treaty of Peace
Resolved, That we view with serious alarm,
and are utterly opposed to any purpose like the
Annexation of Mexico to the United States in
any mode, and especially by conquest that we
believe the two Nations could not be happily
governed by one common authority, owing to
their great difference of race, law language,
and religion, and the vast extent of their res
pechve territories and large amount of their res
pectlve populations, that such union against
the consent Of the exasperated Mexican people,
could only be effected and preserved by large
Standing Armies the constant application of
Military forcc-in other words, by despotc sway
exercised over the Mexican People in the first
instance, but which, there would be Just cause
to apprehend, might, in process of time, be OK
tended over the people of the United States; that
we depreCate therefore, such a union as wholly
incompatible with the genius of our government
and with the character of our free and liberal
Institutions; and we anXiousy hope that each
Nation may be left in the undisturbed possession
of its own laws, language, cherished religion
and territory, to pursue its own happiness ac-
cording to what it may deem best for itself.
Resolved, That, considering the series of
splendid and brilliant victories achieved by our
brave armies and their gallant commanders dur
ing the war with Mexico, unattended by a single
reverse the United States, without any danger
OF their honor suffering the slightest tarnish, can
practice the virtue of moderation and magnani-
nifty toward their discounted foes; and say, We
have no desire for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Re
public of Mexico, but wish only Just and prop
er adjustment of the limits of Texas.
Resolved, That we do positively and empha-
tically dsclam and disavow any wish or desire
on our part to acquire any foreign territory what
ever for the purpose of propagating slavery, or
of introducing Slavery from the United States
into any such foreign territory.
Resolved, That we invite our fellow citizens
Of the United States, who are anxious for the
restoration Of the blessings of Peace, or desir,
Gus, if the existing war shall continue to be pro
, secuted, tn its purpose and object shall be de
; fined and KS Vl-Nho are anxious to aver
the present and future periIs and dangers witt
which it may be fraught-lnd who are also an
xlous to produce cOntentmcnt and satfacton al
home and to elevate the National character a.
broad-to assemble together in their respective
, communities and express their views, feelings
, and opinions on the subject.
At Mr. Clays request all the reporters dessted from
their purpose of reporting the speech, Mr. C. choosn!
to write it out himself and thus avoid all chance o
missapprehenson or misstatement. The following has
ty notes from the memory Of the N. Y. Tribune repor
ter only intended to satisfy the public expecatio
until the speech itself shall be published. II is II
doubt highly coored, and the reader must make cor
siderable allowance that ground as it comes from
paper which considers Mr.. Clay as second to none o
the face of the earth
Mr. Clay then spoke He commenced by sta
t ting his opposition to having his remarks report
. ed until they had undergone his own supervision
as the subject upon which he was about to speaI
was one upon which he wished not to be msrep
, resented He then proceeded to compare tn
gloomy state Of the weather to the present condi
= lion of the country. We were now, he said, en-
gagged in bloody war, that most desolating c
terrors, which when associated with Pestllenc
> and Famine, was placed in the foremost rank c
: human evils. Many persons had compared tn
:, opponents of the present war with our mex
= neighbors to those who had opposed the war {
), 1912 with Great Britain. He denied that sue
comparison was ust In 1912 the war wa
one of defence ON our part from the aggression
i of England. 1t was war whose objects wer
most emphatically and truly summed up in thes
d few words, Free Trade and Sailors Rights
We sought to defend our sailors from being drag
grad from our ships, and being compelled t
fight against country with which we were il
amity we sought to preserve our rights upon tn
I I Dr,to
> sweep us off That was war of the People
= They willed it, and they were in favor of its be
ing carried on. He spoke from actual know
: edge when he stated that Mr. Madison was per
sonaIly opposed to the war. How would til
present war contrast with that? For what objec
: was it declaredl
/ 1t was created by the act of Mr. Polk, ratifet
Il it is true, by the act of Congress. 1t was Gre
:, ated in consequence of the order of the Pres
dent to Gen. Taylor to march upon the Rio Bra
yo TO point opposite Matamoras The Presl