The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-02
MIR. CLAY'S SPEECH
AT THE LEXINGTON MASS MEETING,
NOVEMBER 10, 1917.
Reported for the Philadelphia North American
RECEIVED BY EMPRESS,

hl@N IA Ell II A@-Nl AA>A1'0'
After the organization Of the meeting, Mr. CLAY
rose and addressed it substantially as follows;
Ladies aud Gentlemen:
The day is dark and gloomy, unsettled and I'M
certain, like the condition of country in regard
TO the unnatural War with Mexico. The public
mind is agitated and anxious, and is filled with Sc
roua apprehensions to its indefinite continuance,
and especially to the consequences which its
termination may bring forth, mcnacing the harmony,
if not the existence, of our Union.
1t is under these circumstances present myself
before you. No ordinary occasion would have
drawn me from the retirement in which live; but,
while a single pulsation of the human heart re-
mains, it should, if necessary, be dedicated to the
service of ones country. And have hoped that,
although am private and humble citizen, an ex-
preston of the views and opinions entertan might
form little addition to the general stock of in
formation, aud afford small assistance in deliver
ing our country from the pers and dangers Which
surround it.
have come here with no purpose to attempt to
make fine Speech or any ambitious oratorical dis
play. l have brought with me no rhetorical Boz
quets to throw into this assemblage. In the circle
Of the year Autumn has comic, and the season Of
flowers has passed away: In the progress 5f years.
my Spring time has gone by, and too am in the
Autumn of life and feel the frost of Age. My de-
sire and aim are to address you earnestly, calmly,
seriously and plainly upon the grave and momcn-
titus subjects which have broughtus together. And
am Nest socitous that not a solitary word may
fall from me- offensive to any party person in the
whole extent Of the Union.
War, pestilence, and famine, by the common con-
sent of mankind are the three greatest calamites
which can beial our species and War, the most
direful Justly stands foremost and in front. Pest-
Ience and Famine, no doubt for wise although in
tcrutable purposes, are infections of Providence, to
which it is our duty, therefore, to bow with obed-
ence humble submission and resignation. Their
Duration is not long, and their ravages limited
Thev bring indeed, great aificti6n, while they last
but society soon recovers from their effects. War
is the voluntary work of our own hands, and what
ever rcproaches it may deserve should be directed
TO ourselves When it breaks out its duration is
Indefinite and unkuown-ts Ticssitudes are hidden
from our view. In the sacrifices Of human life, and
in the waste of human treasure III its losses and in
its brdens; 1t affects both belligerent nations, and
its sad effects of mangled bodies of death, and of
dcsoation endure long after its thundcrs are hushed
In peace. War unhinges society, diStufbs It's
peaceful and regular industry, and scaters poison
Gus seeds of disease and immortality, which Contn-
tie to terminate and dfuse their banefrl influence
long utter it has ceased Dazzling by its glitter,
polnp and pagcantry, it begets spirit of wild adj
venture and romantic enterprise, and often disqua
iies those who embark in it, after their return from
the bloody fields of battle, from engaging in the in
dustrious and peaceful yocatiUns of lie:
We are informed by statement, which is appa-
rentlv correct, that tho number Of our Countrymen
slain in this lantertable Mexican War, although it
has yet been of oily Is months existence, is equal
TO one naf OIL W0Ole Oh tie American lOSS our
ing the seven years War Of the Revolution. And
venture to assert that the expenditure of treasure
which it has occasioned, when it shall come to be
fairly ascerained and footed up, will be found to lie
more than half of the pecuniary cost Of the War of
our Independence. And this is the condition of the
party whose arms have been everywhere and con-
etantly victorious!
How did we unhappily get involved in this War?
1t was predicted as the consequence of the Annex
alton of Texas to the United States If we had not
annexed Texas we should have had no War. The
people were told that if that event happened, War
would ensue They were told that the War between
Texas and Mexico had not been terminated by II
treaty of peace that Mexico still claimed Texas
reyolted province; and that, if VIC received Texas
into our Union, we took along with her tho War OK
listing between her and Mexico. And the Minister
Of Mexico formally announced to the Government
at Washington, that his nation would consider the
Annexation of Texas to the United States as pro-
ducing q state OF War. But all this was deuied by
the partisans Of Annexation. They insisted we
should have no War, and even imputed to those
who foretold it sinister motiHes fol- their groundcss
prediction.
But, notwithstanding state of virtual war ne
cessarly resulted from the fact Of annexation Of Que
of the beligerents to the United States, actual hos
tilities might have been probably averted by prr1-
dence, moderation, and wise craftsmanship. If
General Taylor had been permitted to remain,
where his own good sense prompted him to believe
he ought to remain at the point of Corpus Christi
and if negotiation had been opened with Mexico,
in true spirit of amity and Cancellation, War pos
sibly might have been prevented. But, instead OF
this pacific and moderate course while Mr.. slidel
was bending his way to Mexico, with his diplomat
&c credentials General Taylor ordered to trans
port his cannon and to plant them, in warlike at
titude opposite to Matamoros, on the east bank OF
the Rio Bravo, within the very disputed territory
the adjustment of which was to be the object of Mr.
Slidel's mission What else could have transpired
but conflict of arms :?
Thus the War commenced and the President, af
ter having produced it, appealed to Congress. A
bill was prepared to raise 10000 volunteers, and ii
order to commit all who should vote for it, pre-
ambe was inserted falsely attrbuting the com
nnsncement of the war to the act of Mexico. have
no doubt of the patriotic motives those who, aftc
struggling to dvest the bill Of that fragrant error
found themselves constrained 10 vote for it. But
must say that 10 earthly consideration would have
ever tempted or provoked me to vote for BILL will
palpabfe laschood stamped on its face Amos