Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-11-25
Mr.. Claws Speech,

On our first page will be found the Resolutions and
brief sketch of the Speech lately offered by Henry
Clay at large meeting in Lexington KY, convened,
according to previous notice, to hear Mr. Clays views
upon the war; acquisition of territory, &c. This meet
ing and the speech of Mr. Clay appear to have been
the result of preconcered arrangement the part of
leading Wings in different sections of the Free States
mot satisfied with the Rough and Ready enthusiasm Of
the Souh) to bring out Of the chaotic state of nation
al politics an available wing candidate for the pres-
dency Accordingly, to carry out the plot, Mr. Clays
speech and resolutions are heralded by the northern
whig press as the great prOnunciamentO of Peace,
Freedom and Humanty-a sovereign panacea FOR all
the ills of the body polite Hear the yNeo York Iri-
bune: Rejoice friends of Peace for Henry Clay has
spoken and the war has received its death-blow l"-
Very like an exclamation of earlier times "These are
the words of God, and not of mani"
With regard to the speech of Mr.. Clay, we make
no comments as it is nothing but sketch ofthe re-
porter from memory but await its reception from the
revising hand of the author. The resolutions are a.
droity penned and bear internal evidence of the touch
of that master hand which has been so conspicuous in
previous compromises" between Liberty and slavery
Mr.. Clay imposes no enyable task upon Congress,
when he calls upon to specify the bects of the war
"a work which he has sagacity enough to entirely
void Another position of Mr. Clay and one that will
be urged upon the anti-slavery of the north is
that he is utterly opposed the acquisition of foreign
territory for the purpose of propagating slavery, or Of
introducing slavery from the United States into it,
This is precisely the ground taken by the ultra slave
holding papers of the south in their opposition to the
Wilmot Proviso. They dsclaim all desire that terri
tory should be acquired for The purpose of propagatng
slavery; but merely demand that the general govern
ment should be neutral on the subect-neher for mol
against its propagation and let the question be decided
by the inhabitants Of such territory may be acquired
Mr. Clay does not say that he is opposed to the intro
ductlon of slavery into new territory, after it shall have
been obtained We suppose his views to be the SAINT
upon this subject as were expressed in his Alabama
letter, during the last presidential canvass viz Tha
the question of the extension of slavery would have
influence with him.
Other thoughts suggested by Mr.. Cay's resolution
are well expressed in the following extract from thu
Boston Courier, one of tine oldest and abest viii,
journals of the country, that we give it place.
r "Mr. CLAWS RESOLUTIONS, are drawn with con
summate art and subtility and adapted as they were
no doubt intended, to catch the gale of popularity
from whatever point of the compass it may blow. Il
our humble Judgement they will not endure verv
searching analysis, and require the exercise of goo
degree of Mr. Clays peculiar attribute, namely, the ia
Guilty OF manufacturing compromises, to reconcile som
of their discrepancies. For example, if the war will
Mexico has been caused by an unauthorized and IN
constitutional act of the President it surpasses GU
sagacy to assign any ustable apology for Congress:
J. to vote supplies for prosecuting it.
l. Again, if the war commenced on our part with
out sufficient provocatlon, as is substantially admitted
III Mr. Clay's resolutions with what propriety can hi
call upon Congress to dictate the terms of peace?-
Our armies have ovcrrun Mexico and subjected mos
of her principal cities and seaports to military govern
d ment yet Mr. Clay says, "lf Mexico should decline
ID refuse to conclude treaty with u.s. spulating for tn
purposes and objects declared by Congress- it wou
be the duty Of the government to prosecute the wa
with the utmost vigilance until they attained by
! treaty of peace" In other words, if Mexico doe
not cheerfully submit to such conditions as shall b.
- prescribed by government the war must be CARR
ed on till there shall not be Mexican left alive t.
+ raise his voice to arrest the progress of war
aggression, that spreads distress and resoaton owe
III his country. humane and magnanmous doctrin
d. truly, to be promulgated by statesman, who, 70
twenty-five years. has been aspiring to the Presidency
of this great powerful, and independent republic
Should the war be prosecuted much longer with vigo
on our part peace will probably be attained for Their
will be no living Mexicans to fight with, and bad a
p we think the authors and supporters of the war;
hope they would not carry their hostility so far as
d war with the dead.
s. Mexico is a conquered country. 1t is virtually
y our possession. Her proud and magnificent capital
e. ruled by governor appointed by the commander-ir
p chief of our army Her principal seaports and custom
b. houses are under the control of our military officers
Of What can our government want more? What doe
Mr. Clay want more? We fear that he still indulge
ne the sentiment he uttered last winter at political dir
d. ner at New Oreans-"I feel as if yet must 20 an
p Stay Mexican"
st Mr. Clay says he could settle the boundary Questio
on IN sixty hours. We do not doubt it and our govern
u ment could make peace with Mexico in the same spaC
to Of time, If it were disposed. The way is as pIa
and as short as that part of Pennsylvania avenue thu
leads from the Presidents honse to the capitol. Il