Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-19
MOND, va.
Friday Morning, November 10, ls47
MIR. Claws Speech at Lexington.

We give below the meagre sketch from The
Northern papers OF The speech made by MI.
Clay, in support Of the resolutions which we
have already published. Had we ever thought
that Mr.. Clay no longer cherished his PresIsen'
tial aspirations, his lave movement would nave
occasiored Us some surprise. But as we nave
never believed that his retirement was any lhihS
bu. temporary, 10 be abandoned whenever he be-
lieyea il polite 10 do so, we were prepared 10
heal from his lips The words Of par'izan utter
ed for the purpose Of ralIyng uniting and direct
Ing party, rather than the calm accents OF
retired statesman unfolding 10 the people and 10
The country The true line Of duty and interest.
We would not, il we could, condemn 10 silence
any one who has been honored by posts OF high
public trust. So far from this re would listen,
with all Difference and respect, even TO MI.
Clay himself, If for one moment he couia
throw aside The mere politician, and give 10
The world The bencf, Of his high intellect and
will ever do. lie has lolluwed,a different course
too long. File has fixed his gaze too inen,ly on
The Chief Maeslracy, and has been disap-
pointed too often either TO forge. his aspirations,
or forgive those who have disappointed Ihem.-
We view his late course as proof conclusive OF
this. The meeting and all its proceedings speak
OF The Stage, and seem 10 have been arranged Tor
effect. The Introductory remarks OF The chief
manager, Gen. Coombs-lhe long array OF Vice
PresienIs-ihe perfect silence 10 be Observed
the refusal 10 allow reporters 10 take notes-tur-
nish conclusive evidence oil parry movement,
10 which nothing should be waning hat would
make an impression on The public mind. The
object of this movement, we think, cannot be mis-
taken by any one who rejects on the past history
OF The Northern and Southern leader Of The Wing
parry The Lexington demonstration is BY no
means a new idea. We saw lis orig na three
years ago in the celebrated Raleigh letter, which
pull weight upon Mr. Clay's shoulders that his
utmost efforts could not shake oft He laborcd
till his exer,ions seemed 10 be agonizing-b The
weight Of The Raleigh letter could no! be remov-
ed. and The great Wing champion sank under ii.
We believe that MIR. Webster placed il there, by
taking ground asains, The ennexaiion oil Texas,
and rallying Inc Northern Wings 10 his side
thereby forcing Mr. Clay 10 occupy The same plat.
iorm or be rejected ty The Wing party itself. Mr..
Clay uarled of Tie blow aimed al him by taking
The same ground with Mr.. Webster and making
himself acceptable 10 Northern Whissery by op-
posing the annexation OF Texas. These Two r.
valsare rivals ye', and still look upon each other
with jealousy. The Springfield speech OF Mr.
Webster, ard ihe Lexington resolutions Of MT.
I Clay, are bu, a repetition OF the movements oil
/ those gentlemen in 1914. They are appeals to
The heart of Whiggery-to the heart Of Northern
! Whiggery-soh wooinss addressed 10 The feelings
Of The next Wing Convention. Which VIII De
accepted and which rejected time will Disclose
What We = ish 10 say a, present IS, mat we think
| il clear lha, the bActdOnr o! Mr. Webster in 1914
forced Mr. Clay 10 pen his Raleigh epistle, and
the love song oil The former al Springfield COM
! pellet The laller 10 essay dilty al Lexington.
Whether we are right or not in wha! We have
said in conrexion with Mr.. Webster. we think
that the resolutions and remarks OF Mr Clay
canno, be mistaken or misunderstood by any ono
who will read them carefully AMI without prcIu-
dice. In every feature, and i'll their general ap-
! and not OF the stalesman-ot one who has
his eyes fixed on political advancement and
The interests oil his parry, and not oil enc
who has permanently retired 10 The shades
Of private life and turned his thoughts 10
the honor and success Of his country. Passing
over the frs, resolution, for the present. we would
| call especial attention 10 The second, third and
fourth, and The remarks Of Mr. Clay on the same
point. II will bc seen that he claim by every va
riely of phraseology, that the war. making power
is lodged in Congress, and that Congress can and
ought 10 sta'o the purposes for which the war was
| now conducted One would think that these pro-
positions had been denied, from the eagerness
! V III which the orator seeks 10 sustain them
YET no one, 10 our knowledge, has ever question
ed them. Why, them this eager zeal, bu. 10 create
The impression that The administration and its
supporters had sough. 10 deny the plain terms Of
The Constitution, and lha. the President was pre-
| securing The war through motives which he
would not avow7 We can see no other reason
| fur all this clamor, and canno. but think il a
poor imitation Of MIR. Websers idea of "pre-
texts" and secret motives. MIR. Clay, like every
other man, has a right to attack The admni.tra-
ton, but all have right 10 expect that the al
tack will rot BE- covert, but open, and II j. is no.,
10 protest against holding up The assailant as a
retired salesman and not an Gciirc partisan
Having asserted, in many forms, the general
powers OF Congress over The war, MIR. Clay next
proceeds 10 give his views of The terms upon
which a treaty should be made. He agows
himself strongly opposed 10 the ex,ensio OF
Slavery, and the idea Of requiring any ndemni-
" from Mexico; or TO do moe than obtain a
"ins and proper fiSalion OF the limits Of Texas
Here lie gives us Tick OF The politician, whic h
we must confess 10 be very adroil. The great
question involved in The Wilmoi Proviso, whic
has been ringing through The land for months, is
| mol so much as alluded 10. The retired statesman
tells US that he is opposed TO the admission of any
territory inlo the Union, and then gives us an alb.
sraci disclaimer OF any desire to acquire terri
tory for the pnpose oipropaga.ing slavery. But
suppose territory is acquired what then will be
Mr.. Cays posilion2 Will he submit the country
thus acquired. 10 be disposed Of on the principle
Of The Proviso? This is The great question which
is agiiaiing The country; ne question which every
one expected Mr.. Clay to answer; but he avoids
! i! in terms that seem to mean both yes and nc
in terms tina, seem intended 10 suit his ircni,
| on both sides OF Masun's and DiIon's line. H.
says he is opposed to the extension of our limits
and is opposed 10 the extension OF slavery. This
will be enough 10 make him Wilmol Proviso
man a, The North. But, his Southern friends vii
say, be has never stated that he would piohibi
slavery in any territory il il should be acquired
he is opposed 10 acquiring Territory Tor The PrR
POSE Of propasatirg slavery and 50 arc all OF US
This vii! be Inc course pursued By The Northern
and Southern Wings, and We ask chr readers Il
mark the prophecy and remember il. We snail
continue this sutiec, hereafter and when fnl
repor, OF MIR Claws sneech is furnished We thini