Arkansas intelligencer., 1847-12-18
Mr.. Claws Resolutions.


ution declares. that the war is produced by the
improvident and Unconstitutional act Of Pre-.
,ident Polk; and Congress declared that "by the
zct of the Republic Of Merico, a state Of war ex-
its between that Government and the U. States,"
and upon that declaration it authorised the Presi-
dent to raise and equip $4,000 men, and appro-
priated $lO,O0O,O 900 to carry on the war. 1t can
not be said it was Ihe mere partisans of the Pres-
dent who voted for this biIl-wbo made this decla.
ration because it was almost an unanimous act.
The vote stood in the House ia ayes to IA nays,
a Corporal'e guard of Federalists and Abolition
lists, whose names were handed around through |
the country with ineffabe scorn. If Mr.. Clay's
position is correct and that the war was brought
about by the act of the President, and that IS un-
constitutionally," Congress declared war very i'm.
properly and if Mr.. Clay declared the truth in
his Lexington resolutions, Congress voted Lac,
.s--. UrUuytrra about
by the act of Mexico. and that body violated their
oaths in supporting the President in his unconsti-
tutional acts. This s' eminent statesman" has
placed himself in unenviabIe anita gonism to his
government, and has suffered his sympahes for the
enemies Of his country to sway him too far from
his duty. He has taken issue with the President
and Congress of his country, and assaiied its In
tegrity and patriotism.
The +" distinguished salesman has uttered SEN
tments which if responded to, as requested, by
any considerable portion of the people. will be
sweet JUNCTION to the wounded and fallen pride of
our treacherous and humbled enemy, and will act
bitter rebuke to our gallant soldiers who have
endured the hardships and perls Of the campaigns
in that unhealthy count ry and who have so valiant
y overwhelmed the enemy whenever they met
l;, 10 49, --.-r.-.-~ nave sougnt
wash out the stain on American honor by the oft
repeated acts of gasconading Mexico, upon the
flag Of country, and finally by crossing over
and staying our, soldiers and fellow-citizens, on
our own soil. That spirit of patriotism which vi
brated throughout the nation, the pulsalon of which
was seen and felt in every State, where the best
citizens forsook the pursuits and comforts Of peace
full homes and rallied the toscin's alarum eager
to prove their devotion to their country and TO do
battle FOR its honor, and to avenge our fallen bre-
kthren, is sorely condemned by the Sage of Ash
land )" and the bones Of our brave soldiers lie
bleaching on the bloody battle grounds, yet, una :
venged. The warm blood that leaped through his
veins at New Orleans, last winter, has since lost
its fire and patriotic fow-has returned to an ebb
since he wished that he might yet " live to SEQ
-, - ...,Ef@hI. /. Mi - sr"
dor of his feelings have indeed died since 1912,
when he rcbuked the 's friends of peace on the
floor of Congress, and denounced them as " weak
feeble and pu'illanimoIs," when in burning lam
guage u,tsred the following patriotic sentiment:
"An honorable peace is only aitaina5le 6y an eff.
Gcent mar Mn 1lUn 7r0ulH be in call the
resources of the country; gire them judicious di-
rection; prosecute the ,ciM the utmost uigor !;
sTlkesrtenerer zoe can reach the enemy, at sea or
on land, and negotiate the terms of peace at Que.
bee or Halifax. We are told that England is
proud and lofty nation, which, disdaining to wait
for danger, meets it half way. Naughty as she
is, we once triumphed over her; and, if we do
not listen to the counses of tirnidity and despair,
ace DiH again prevail. In such a cause, with the
AID OF Providence, we must come out crowned
with success; but if we fail, let US fail like men
lash ourselves to our gallant tars, and expire
together In one common struggle, fighting for
free trade and seamen's rigMs.''
Then he said "an honora4 peace is only at.
tainable by an efficient war;" he now says an
honorable peace can be attained by foregoing the
advantages gained by the brilliant achievements of
our armies-by Withdrawing our troops from heir
SoiiouS CdtccIs anu TeftuQulSHluS all our aQvdn-
tages without obtaining the single object for which
we became involved in the war; indemnify for
the past, and security for the future What an
ingorious conclusion to a war prosecuted bv the
bravest and most patriotic troops in the world.-|
What American breathing the fire of independ
ence and patriotism would seek peace on such
terms? The maxim, " not cent for tribute
millions for Defence" has been forgotten by the
great Whig Statesman. who once so vauntingy
proclaimed on the floor of Congress- to be his doc
trine.
Congress, in 1916, by vote of ia to ID. in.
Guiding in the majority number of his own party
declared that The war was brought about by the
acts of Mexico; but in defiance and contempt of
that declaration, Mr.. Clay axes bold issue and de.
ca'es that it was brought about by the acts of the
President. That patriotic body stood by the coun.
Try in the hour Of peril, when our honor was y,
stake; but MIR. Clay deserts il, and throws ont 10
'ur deluded enemy, now conquered, that if thew
persist IN obstinate refusal TO make peoce. tbev
viii get IT upon terms honorable and adva antaoeons
o them-that our armies will be v;fbdr,w, :,L