The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-15

They willed it, and they were in favor OF ito
being carried on. He spoke from actual know
ledge, when he stated that Mr. Madison
was personally opposed to the war. How
would the present war contrast with that
For what object was it declaredg Il was
created by the act of Mr.. Polk, ratified, it Is
true, by the act of Congress. 1t was created
in consequence of the order of the President to
Gen. Taylor, to march upon the Rio Bravo, to
point opposite Matamoras. The President acted
thus while Congress was in session, without
consulting that body. When, however, supplies
were demanded for our army, and its dangerous
condition stated, Congress voted for them.
Wings and all voted these supplies. In this act
they did as he would have done they voted the
necessary supplies. But they were wrong to
vote beyond that, and never, so help him God,
would he have done 30. They were wrong in
voting tor what they knew to be lie-that the
war was exacted by the act of Mexico. So
great was his regard for truth, that sooner than
subscribe to such falsehood, he would have
laid down life itself. They had been warned,
when the annexation of Texas was first moved,
that if they took Texas they would have to take
her wars, also. The assertion was hooted at
No such fears need be entertained. 1t was said
that the boundaries could all be amicably settled
What, however, was the fact =? Was not the
present war III consequence of boundary dis
pute! At the very tire when our army was
ordered to march on Matamoras, to take posses
sion of the disputed boundary, Mr.. Slidel was
on his way to the city of Mexico, to enter into
negotiations for the settlement of the same dis
puted question. Why not wait until Mr. Slidells
mission had been fulfilled /! 1t had been
stated over and over 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 the bloody fields
of Mexico as the democrats Have they not
spilled their blood as freely! War now exists,
but we have made no declaration of the objects of
that war. 1t, therefore, behooves Congress to de-
clare what are the objects, and upon what terms
the war with Mexico will cease. In monarchies,
the war-making power is vested in the king; in
this country, it rests with the people, through
their representatives in Congress. This is dis
tinctly avowed in the Constitution 1t is true, the
President has the power of making treaties; but
they are always founded upon the acts or resolu-
tons Of Congress. He referred to certain reso-
utions ofCongress regarding eciprocity in trade,
and upon which some ten or dozen treaties
have since been founded. If, therefore, on such
comparatively unimportant subjects as trade and
commerce, the President takes his instructions
from the people represented in Congress, how
much stronger is the argument when applied to
the prolongation of war! If Congress remains
silent, will the President, when war is once de-
cared, say what are it's objects and when it shall
stop? Then may you call the President by what
name you please he is in effect as powerful as
a Cesar, an emperor, king. You give to one
man power that the Constitution never contem-
plated. Mr.. CLAY continued to dilate at consi-
derable length upon this topic, expressing 1t as
his conviction that Congress should declare at
the coming session what are the objects of
the war, and what should be the conditions
of peace. If the President then remain
opposed to a treaty upon the terms, there
was way by which even he could be
reached, and be made to feel that the peoples
will governed; he meant by impeachment. Mr..
Clay said he was opposed entirely to the annex
alton of Mexican territory. One half, already,
of our own territory, was unoccupied. Millions
of acres of land were In the market. We did not
want more, although some are DESTROYS of ex-
tending our limits from the Atlantic to the Pac-
ii
cited with certain limits, establishing what
they consider the proper boundaries of Texas,
he did not believe the President should refuse to
accede to their wishes. He was already half
tired of the war, and would doubtless be glad
enough to adopt any plan by which peace would
be restored. As to any difficulty which would
occur in settling boundary line, he would be
willing to undertake, in sixty hours, to secure
their cooperation. The truth was, Mr.. Polk
imagined, when Matamoras fell, that the Mexi-
cans would succumb. Such has been the expec-
tation after every battle; but now, even, when
we are in the Halls of the Montezumas, our OBJ
ject is as far off He referred to the Spa
nish character, evidenced their struggles for
800 years with the Moors in Spain. He spoke of
the absurdity of asking indemnity for our losses,
of people who had nothing to give u.s. As to
annexation, he considered it would be little
short of madness to introduce eight or nine mil
Ions of people, speaking different language,
and protesting different religion, amongst us,
10 assist in governing our Republic. SUP
nose. said he, they would not choose to
send delegates can we appoint them
Would that be carrying out our Constitution,
which declares that every citizen shall have
share in governing himself! Mr. Clay was
strongly opposed to the extension Of slavery
deplored its existence, but remarked that it was
universal, even. He considered the refusal to
accept new territory as the best means Of avert
ing the difficulties that surrounded this impor-
tant but delicate subject.
The speech occupied two and a half hours
in its delivery, and the foregoing is but
sketch of its most important points The speaker
adhered very strongly to his resolutions, and
they embody all the great principles which he
advocated and discussed. The resolutions were
adopted by reclamation.
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ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH STEAMER New YORK,
FROM NEwPoRT--Ths steamship, after having
taken at Newport twenty tons of hard coal and