The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-04

,ont, The case of the Annexation of Texas
n the United States is recent and obvious
one which il 1t were wrong, cannot now be
renaired. Texas is now an integral part of
onr Union, with its own voluntary CONSENT
MANY us opposed the Annexation with
honest zeal and most earnest exertions. But
who would now think of perpetrating the fol-
10 of casting Texas out of the Confederacy
and throwing her back upon her own indie
nendence, or into the arms ofMeXico? Who
would now seek to divorce her from this
Union? The Creeks and the Cherokee In
dians by the most exceptionable means,
driven from their country, and transported
Seyond the Mississippi River. Their lands
have been fairly purchased and occupied by
inhabitants of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi
and Tennessee. Who would now conceive
,e fragrant injustice of eXpelling those in-
bubants and restoring the Indian country TO
The Cherokees and Creeks, under color ofre-
nairug original injustice? During the War
11four Revolution millions of paper money
were issued by our ancestors as the only cur
rency with which they could achieve our lib
critics and independence. Thousands and
hundreds of thousands of families were strip.
n ned of their homes and their all, and brought
\ 10 ruin, by giving credit and confidence to
that spurious currency Stern necessity has
prevented the PREPARATION of that great nation
. al injustice.
But forbear: l will no longer trespass
upon your patience or farther tax my own
a ce,impaired by II speech gilmore than three
hurs' duration, which professional duty re-
n aired me to make only few days ago. If
have been at all successful in the Gxposi-
ion of the views and opinions which enter
tain have shown
LIST. That the present War was brought a.
bout by the annexation of Texas and the SUBJ
seGuent order of the President, without the
previous consent and authority of Congress.
Cd. That the President being unenlight-
ened and unrestricted, by any public decla-
ration of Congress, as TO objects for which it
ought to be prosecuted, in the conduct Oft,
is, necessarily, left to his own sense of what
The national interests and honor may require.
Sd. That the whole war making power of
the nation, as TO motives, causes and objects,
is confided by the Constitution to the discre-
ton and Judgment ofCongress.
4th. That il is, therefore, the right of Con-
gress at the commencement or during the
n progress of any war, to declare for what OBJ
jects and purposes the War ought to be wag-
ed and prosecuted.
9th. That it is the right and duty of Con-
gress to announce to the Nation for what OBJ
jecrs the present War shall be longer coniin-
ucd; that it is the duty the President, in the
exercise of all his official fupctions, to con-
form to and carry out this declared will of
h Congress, by the exercise, if necessary, of all
The high powers with which he is clothed;
and that, if he fail or refuse to do so, it be.
N comes the imperative duty ofCongress to ar
rest the farther progress of tho War by the
most etfectual means in its power.
Let Congress announce to the Nation the
objects for which this War shall be farther
mOwacted, and public suspense and public
II do will - lee
\ be War ofconquest of all, or any part of
Mexico, let the people know it, and they will
no longer be agitated by dark and uncer-
tain future. But, although might have for
N borne to express any opinion whatever as TO
the purposes and objects for which the war
should be continued, / have not thought
proper to conceal my opinions, whether worth
anything or not, from the public examination.
a Accordingly l have stated.
9th. That it seems to me that it is the du-
~ Of our country, as we'll OH the score of
moderation and magnanimity, as with the
view of avoiding discord and discomfort at
home, to abstain from seeking to conquer
and annex to the United States, Mexico or an
ypart of it; and, especially, 10 disabuse the
public mind in any quarter of the Union of
the impression, if it anywhere exists, that a
desire for conquest is cherished for the pur-
NJ pose ofpropagating or extending Slavery.
III lHuVe embodied, mfIreSluent ana fellOW
citizens, the sentiments and opinions which
have endeavored to explain and enforce in
ascries of resolutions, which beg now to
submit to your consideration and judgment
They are the following:
These resolutions were published in the
Caledonian of Nov. 20, to which the reader
is reterred.]
After reading the resolutions and handing
them to the Secretary, Mr. Clay concluded by
apoogizing for the length of time which he
had trespassed upon the meeting,and thank
ing the ladies and gentlemen, most cordially
for the honor done him by their attendance
on this occasion, and the profound attention
4 with which they had listened to him.
MI NOTE BY THE EDITOR. The speech was
often Interrupted by bursts of applause, and
Doth at its commencement and conclusion
there was tremendous cheering
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