Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-11-25
Great Speech.

MIR. CLAY commenced by stating his opposition to
having his remarks reported until they had undergone his
supervision the subject which he about to
speak upon which he wished not to be misun-
derstood
He then proceeded compare the gloomy state of the
weather TO the present condition of the country. We
were now said he, engaged in bloody war-that most
desoang of all terrors which when associated with pes
thence and famine, placed in the foremost rank
Many persons had compared the opponents OF the pre-
sent war with Mexico those who had opposed the
of 1912 with Great Britain but he denied that such
comparison was Just In 1912 the war was one of de-
fence, part, from the aggression OF England II
whose objects were most emphatcally and
truly summed up in these few words "Free trade, and
Sailors Rights We sought to defend sailors from
being dragged from their Ships and compelled TO fight
against a country with which we were In amity We
sought preserve rights upon the high seas and not
allow Great Britain to sweep US off, That war was war
of the people. They wiled it, and they in favor
being carried He spoke from actual knowledge,
when he stated that Mr. Madison was personally oppos
ed TO the
War now exists but we have made no declaration of
the objects of that war; 1t therefore behoves Congress
declare what the Objects and upon what terms the
with Mexico will cease.
How would the present contrast with that? For
what object was it decared 1t created by the act
of Mr. Polk-raied it is by Congress. 1t
ated in consequence o. the order General Taylor
march upon the Rio Bravo, TO point opposite Mata-
moras. The President acted thus while Congress was
in session without consulting that body When, how
ever supplies asked for army, and its danger
Gus condition stated Congress voted wings and all, land
in this they did as himself would have done) the
cessary supplies. But they wrong in his opinion
and never, so help him God, would he have done so,-
they wrong in voting for what they knew be a
e,-the preamble of that bill, which stated that
sted by the act of Mexico. So great continued MIR.
Clay was his regard TRUTH than subscribe
such falsehood, he would lay down life ITSELF
They had been warned when the annexation of Texas
first moOted, that if they took Texas they would also
have to take her The assertion was hooted
No such fears need be entertained, IL said The
boundaries could all be amcably settled What how
ever, the fact? Was not the present in
auence of a boundary dispute AT the very time when
our army was ordered TO march TO Matamoras, TO take
possession of the disputed boundary, Mr. Sdel
his way to the city of Mexico into negotiations
for the settlement of the dispute. Why not have waited
till Mr. SIidells mission had been fulfilled?
1t has been stated and again that the wings
were enemies of the country, for speaking against the
war-that they deserted her. Was this the case? Have
not the wings been as prominent in fighting on the
bloody fields Of Mexico as the democrats' Have they
not spilled their blood freey'
In monarchies the warmaking power vested in the
king In this country rests with the people, through
their representatives in Congress- This is distinctly
avowed the Constitution 1t is true the President has
the power of making treates but they always found
ed upon acts resolutions OF Congress lie referred
the resolution regarding reciprocity, and upon wheel
some ten dozen treaties have since been founded III
therefore, on such comparatively unimportan subjects
trade and the President takes his
from the people, how much stronger is the argumen
when applied to the proOngaton Of war If il remains
solely with the President, when declared Il
say when il shall Stop and what its OBJECTS then yot
may call the President by what you please, he il
in effect as powerful as Gar an Emperor or a King
You give to man power that the Constitution
contemplated.
Mr.. Clay continued to diIate, at considerable length
upon this topic depressing it as his conviction tina
Congress should decare at us coming session. what
IN, objects Of the war; and what should be the condition
Of peace If the President then renamed opposed to
treaty., upon the specified, there way b,