Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-09
SPEECH OF HENRY CLAY,
AT THE
MASS MEETING IN LEXINGTON, KY
On Saturday, Nopember 10, ls47.

On Saturday, .Nouember 10, lsl7.
After the organization of the meeting, Mr..
Clay rose and addressed it, substantially, as fol-
lows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
The day is dark and gloomy, unsettled and I'M
certain, like the condition of our country, in re-
gard to the unnatural war with Mexico The |
public mind is agitated aud anxious, and is filled
with serious apprehensiohs as otis indefinite con- |
tlnuance, and especially as 10 the consequences
which its termination may bring forth, menacing
the harmony if not the existence, of our Union.
It is under these circumstances present my
self before you, No ordinary occasion would
have drawn me from the retirement in which |
live; but whilst Single pulsation of the human
heart remains, itshould, if necessary be dedica-
ted TO the service Of ones country. And | have
hoped that, although am private and humble !
citizen, an expression of the views and opinions
entertain, might-torm some little addition TO
the general stock Of information, and afford a
small assistance in delivering 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 oratori-
cal display. have brought with me no rhetori
cal bouquets to throw into this assembage. In
The circle of the year autumn has come, and the
season of flowers has passed away In the pro
gress of years, my spring time has gone by, and
too am in the autumn Of life, and feel the frost
Of age. My desire and aim is to address you,
earnestly, calmly seriously and plainly, upon the
grave and momentous subjects which have
brought us together. And | am most soIlcitous
that not solitary word may fall from me, often
sive to any party OF person in the whole extent
of the Union.
War, pestilence, and famine, by the common
consent Of mankind are the three greatest ca
lamtios which can befall our species; and war,
as the most direful, Justly stands foremost and in
front Pestilence and famine, no doubt for wise
although inscrutable purposes, are infections Of
Providence, to which it is our duty, therefore, to
bow with obedience, humble submission and re-
signatlon Their duration is not long, and their
ravagcs are limited They bring, indeed, great
affliction whilst they last, ont society soon re-
covers from their effects. War is the voluntary
work of our own hands, and whatever reprolch
es it may deserve should be directed to ourselves.
When it breaks out, its duration is indefinite and
unknown--its vcisstudes are hidden from our
view. In the sacrifices Of human life, and in the
waste of human treasure, in It's losses and in its
burthens, it affects both belligerent nations; and
its sad effects of mangled bodies, of death and
of desolation, endure long after its thunders are
hushed in peace. War unhinges society," dis
turbs its peaceful and regular industry, and scat
ters poisonous seeds of disease and immortality,
which continue TO terminate and diffuse their
baneful influence long after it has ceased. Daz-
cling by its glitter, pomp and pageantry, it beges
a spirit of wild adventure and romantic enter
prise, and often disqualifies those who embark in
it, after their return from the bloody fields of bat
tie, from engaging in the industrious and peace
tu vacations Of lfe
We are informed by a statement, which is ap-
pareEtly correct that the number OF our country
men slain in this lamented Mexican war, al
though it has yet been of only Is months exist
ence, is equal to one half of the whole Ameri-
can loss during the years war of the Revolu-
ton. And venture TO assert that the eXpCndi
ture Of treasure which it has occasioned when
it shall come 10 be fairly ascertained and footed
up, will be found to be more than half OF the Pc
cuniary cost Of the war Of our Independence. -
And this is the condition OF the party whose arm
have been every where and constantly victorious
How did we unhappiy get involved in this
war? 1t was predicted as the consequence Of
the annexation of Texas to the United States. Il
we had not Texas, we should have no war, The
people we're told that if that event happened wa
would ensue. They were told that The war be
tween Texas and Mexico had not been termina
ted by treaty of peace; that Mexico still claim
ed Texas as revolted province and that, if ",
received Texas in our Union, we took along will
her, the war existing between her and Mexico
And the Minister of Mexico formally announce,
v
ton would consider tho annexation of Texas +
the United States as producing state OF war
But all this was denied by the partizlns Of an
nexation They insisted we should have no war
and even imputed to those who foretold il, SIMS
ter motives for their groundless prediction.
But, Notwithstanding state of war nccessa
rily resulted from the fact of annexation of on
of the belligerents to the United States actua
hostllities might have been probably averted b.
4.
If General Taylor had been permitted to remain
where his own good sense prompted him to be
leve he should remain, at the point of Corpu
Christi and if a negotiation had been opene
with Mexico, in a true spirit of amity an
cancellation, war possibly might have been pre-
vented. But, instead Of this pacific and noder
ate course, whilst Mr.. Slidel! was vending hi
way to Mexico, with his diplomatic credcntial:
General Taylor was ordered to transport his can
non and TO plant them in warlike attitude op
posite Matamoras, on the east bank Of the XII
Bravo, within the very disputed terri tory, the ad
iusment Of which was to be the object oil MI
Slidell's mission What else could have trans
PRED but conflict of arms?
Thus the war commenced and the Preslden
after having produced it, appealed TO Congress
A bill was proposed to raise $4,000 volunteers
and in order to commit all who should vote 70
It, preamble was inserted falsely attrbuin
the commencement OF the war 10 the act OF Mex
ico have no doubt Of the patriotic motives q
those who, after struggling to dlvest the bill G
that fragrant error, found themselves constraine
to vote for it. But must say that no eartl.l
consideration would have ever attempted Inc t
vote for bill with palpable falsehood sampe
on lis face. Almost idollzing truth, as | do,
never, never could have voted for that bill.
The exceplionabe conduct of the federal par
ty, during the last British war, has excited a
influence in the prosecution of the preser
war, and prevented just discrimination betweo
the two wars. That was war of national dc
fence, required tor the vndcaton of the natior
al rights and honor, and demanded by the ndig
nant voice of the people. President Madso
himself, know, at first reluctantly, and WI
great doubt and hesitation, brought himself I
the conviction that it ought 10 be declared
leading, and perhaps the most influential memoe
of his Cabinet, Mr. Gallaun) was, up to the TIM
OF its declaration, opposed to It, But nothing
could withstand the irresistible force OF publ
sentiment. 1t was just war, and its great OBJ
iect as announced at the time, was Free Trad
aud Sailors Rights" against the intolerable an
oppressive acts Of British power on the ocean.
The Justice of the war, far from being denie
or controverted, was admitted by the federal par
ty, which only questioned it on considerations q
policy. Being deliberately and constitutional
declared, it was, Think their duty to have Civ