The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-04
Mr.. CIGy's Speech
Al THE LEXINGTON MASS MEETING

NOV. 18th, Is47.
Reported for tie Philadelphia NORTH american
After the organization of the meeting, NJ
GLAY rose and addressed it substantially n
follows;
Ladies and Gentlemen; The day is darl
and gloomy, unsettled and uncertain, like tn,
condition of our country in regard to the un
natural War with Mexico. The public mine
il ngitatcd and anxious and is filed with seri
Gus approximations as to its indefinite continu
ance, and especially as to the consequence
which its termination may bring forth, menac
ing the harmony, if not the existence of oui
Union.
Il is under these circumstances present
myself before you. No ordinary occasion
would have drawn me from the retirement in
which lve but, while single pulsotion of
1hc human heart remains, it should, if neces
sury, be dedicated to the service ofone 5 coun'
try. And have hoped that, although | am a
private and humble citizen, an expression of
the views and opinions entertain, might form
some little addition to the general stock of in.
formation, and afford n small assistance in de-
livering our country from the perils and dan
gers which surround il.
| have come here with no purpose to attempt
TO make n fine speech, or any ambitious orator
ical display | have brought with me no rhe-
torca bouquets to throw into this assemblage.
In the circle of the year Autumn has come,
and the season of flowers has passed away. In
the progress 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 are
TO address you earnestly, calmly seriously and
plainly, upon the grave and momentous sub
iects which have brought us together. And
| am most solicitous that not solitary word
may fall from me, offensive to any party or
person in the whole extent of the Union.
War, pestilence, and famine, by the com
g. Il 4, NJ
lest ealamjtes which can befull our species;
and War, the most direful, justly stands
foremost and in front. Pcstilence and Fam
inc, no doubt for wise, although inscrutable
purposes, infections of Providence, to
which it is our duty, therefore, to bow with o.
Incidence, humble submission and resignation.
Their duration is not long, and their IuVages
are limited. They bring, indeed, great afflic-
ton, while they last, but society soon recov-
-ers from their effects. War is the voluntary
work of our own hands, and whatever re.
pronches il may deserve should be directed to
ourselves. When it breaks out its duration is
indefinite and unknown--its viclssitudes are
hidden from our view. In the sacrifice ofhu-
man life, and in waste of human treasure, in
its losses and in its burdens, il affects both
bcligercnt nations, and its sad effects Of mau-
ged bodies, of death, and of desolation, en-
,dure long after its fhunders are hushed in
peace. War unhinres society, disturbs its
poisonous seeds of disease and immortality,
which continue to germinnte and difiuse their
baneiul influence long after ii has ceased.
Dazzling by its glitter, pomp and pageantry,
II begets n spirit of wild adventure and roman
tic enterprise and, often dsantii'ies those who
embark in it,after their return from the blood
fields of battle, from engaging in the indus
trious and peaceful vocation of life.
We are informed by statements which is
apparently correct, that the number of our
countrymen slain in this lamcntGble Mexican
War, although it has yet been of only l5
months existence, is equal to one half of the
whole of the American lJss during the seven
yeurs War of the Revolution! And venture
TO assert that the expenditure of treasure
which it has occasioned, when it shall come
TO be fairly nscertaned and footed up, will be
found to be more than half sof the pecuniary
cost of the War of our Independence And
dhis is the condition of the party whose arms
have been everywhere and constantly victori-
Gus!
How did we unhappily get involved in this
War 1t was predicted as the conse-
ouence of the Annexation of Texas to the u
anitcd States If we had not annexed Texas,
we should have had War The people
were told that if that event happened, War
would ensue. They were told that tho War
between Texas and Mexico had not been ter
minated by treaty fpeace; that Mexico still
claimed Texas as revolted province: and that
If we received Texas into our Union, we took
along with her the War existing between her
and Mexico. And the Minister OF Mexico for
,mdlly announced to the Government at Wash
Inpton, that his nation would consider the An
nexuton of Texas to the United states as pro-
ducing a state of War. But all this was de-
Med by the partsans of Annexation. They
Insisted We should have no War, and even
imputed to those who fore told it sinister mo.
lives for their groundlcss prediction
But, notwithstanding state of virtual war
niece ssarly resulted from the fact OF annexa.
ton of one of the belligerents to the United
Suites, actual hostilities might have Been
probably averted by prudence, moderation,
, and wise craftsmanship. If General Taylor
had beer permitted to remain, where his own
good sense prompted him to belle We he ought
~ remain, at the point ofCorpus Christi; and
if a negotiation had been opened with Mexico,
in a true spirit of amity and concil ation, War
possibly might have been prevented. But, in
stead ofthis pacific and moderate course, while
Mr. Slidell was bending his way to Mexico,
with his diplomatic credentials, General Tay
lor was ordered to transport his cannon, and
TO plant them, in u warlike attitude, opposite
to Matamoras on the east bank of the Rio
Bravo within the very disputed territory, the
ndiustment of which was to be the object of
go rtSlideil's mission. What else could have
transpircd buta conflict of arms?
Thus the War commenced, and the Pres-
q, dent after having produced it, appealed to
congress. A bill was prepared to raise So
900 Volunteers, and in order to commit all who
should vote for it, a preamble was inserted
falsely attributing the commencement OF the
war to the act of Mexico l have no doubt
ofthepatriotic motives of those who, after
struggling to divest the bill of that fragrant
error. found themselves constrained to vote for
it. ,ButI must say that no earthly considera-
ton would have ever tempted or provoked
J., meAto vote for a bill, with palpable falsehood
- stamped on its face. Almost idoliZing truth,
rs do. never could have voted for that bill