Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-14
FROM Mn. RIvEs's SPEECH AT RICHMOND.

rive have met with nothing in this whole Cam
paign more worthy OF the closest attention of every
citizen who understands the meaning of the word
Liberty, than the following extract from the Speech
of the distinguished Statesman whose name pre-
cedes it. The whole Speech well deserves place
in our columns, were il possible for US to insert
it here.
Mr. PLEAsAsrs introduced The distinguished guest of the
Club (Mr. RryEs) in few appropriate remarks.
Mr. RIvEs commenced by emaking that he had come 70
the city chiefly for objects Of private and with
expectation OF formally addressing public assembly he
had desired, indeed, opportunity OF being with the
Wings Of Richmond to receive well give encourage
men, and bid them hearty God speed in The good and
glorious cause in which we are all engaged But this large
assem6sge beokened pubic expectation which he was not
prepared, either mind body The city of Rich
moad, he sad ilusrous the stronghold Of the
ceat Nhig spirit of Virginia. Here ancestors Qhe
Wings Of the Revouton had first organized for the
protection of public liberty. Here, in l777, the bold and
prophetic voice Of Patrick Henry had proclaimed that the
for vigorous action, aud that if the people of
America meant be free they preserve their freedom.
Never had there been greater occasion 10 heed his warning
voice His prophetic vision distinctly what would
day or other develop itself in hostility to the liberties Of the
people ''This constitution (he sadly is said have beau-
fu features when come 10 examine these features they ap
pear 10 horribly frghtful Among other defomes has
awful squirting il squints towards monarchy. Your
President may easily be King He ioresaw that the Pre-
sjen,, the head OF victorious party, might the
Government into elective monarchy with all the evils Of
party despoism
In these apprehensons many Of the great of the
luton participated such Franklin, Roger Sherman, and
George Mason. Have not lived, asked Mr.. & /,
her vaccinations almost literally fulfilled In prac
teal administration has tho President become monarch
in every thing but the To prove this needed only
glance the few years OF Mr.. Poks administration, which
had been characterized throughout by The Of tie
constitutional powers Of the Executive bat by the usurpaon
OF the powers every oher department Mr. r. would appeal
facts, and intended declaration.
Among the important powers of government
carefully Withdrawn from the President than that of
making war The wise men who constructed our system
saw, in the operat o. other Governments tie Mighty con-
sequences Of trusting this power the caprice ambition
they determined that it should with the Con-
es IF TIE United Stae aud them alone, decide toe ques-
ton Of The gea, MasOn whn might Justly lie called
the second Washington, in his farewell address Congress
had le his counirymen memorable sentiment this
subject Amongs the proud reflections which that ustoCs
patriot ndulgej, IN tle prospect Of his retirement, this
thai The people had found the constitution to contain, in liz
combination o the iederave and elective principles recon-
element Of public strength With individual liberty national
power for the defence q national rights ruth security
against tcars Of injustice, ambition, rain gtory,
FCSDAHESTAL PROVISION WHICH SUBJECTS QUESTIONS
70 the irW If the nation Itself, tchich Is 10 pug its
c5sis usd feel It's c1!amHits."
Have not proceeded Mr. R. seen James X. Polk, the
Caudus Of our American CGsars boldly aoga;ng this power
Of making war He would not argue the point. a naked
statement of facts would suffice 10 establish it.
When the join; resolution for the annexation Of Texas
passed Ivy Congress and submitted 10 that republic for is
oepance, il contained express reservation " this Gov
crnment" the night 10 aeermne all questions of boun-
Iixtic
that Texas claimed to the Rio GraHde and Mexico the
Nreces and, consequently that the territory between those
rivers 10 dispute We well recoect that in a speech
delivered by Mr. Ryes hn.e in the Senate on the subject
Of annexation, the fact Of nis disputed claim prominently
alluded To, and his opinion expressed that the popr
boundary OF Texas lue following the yueces and
from the OF that stream, the range Of mountains
Paraiing New MeSico from Northwestern Tezas Tne set
Element 81 this dispute the onl resolution expressly reserved
| negotiation. The President charged with The duty Of
carving out the resolution Instead Of respecting its Isn
nucon he gave his orders to the army invade sn
~ the disputed teroy dnt thus assumed the power
merely Of decicriag, bot Of making Mr. r. defined
be act Of force resored TO 70 determine gstet
question between nations He dd consider detatabr
question, whether the President did not The power
making f1r could be denied that he undertook
determine by force the tgled question Of boundary beweer
Mexico and the United States Nor couJ the President
that he bound under the Of the ion, resolution,
the whole claim 4 Texas for why he offer pay
Mexico FIVE millions q dollars for the ceon Of this very Dis
puted territory IN Mr. Slldels original lnstrucons he
directed 10 offer all the claims Of American citizens
tgainst Mexico, amounting than Eve millions, IL s
will make "the Rio Grande from ts mouth TO ii
source the boundary OF his will, therefore, th,
President while the representatives OF the people in
SION, undertook 10 decide the question by force What apollo
gy could there be for his conduct Why, that he stempe,
negotiation, and bad failed and there bu
war Bot with wha department did II rest 70 make that
was his duty communicate the failure O nego
sons to Congress- and ask them decide whether the
N ha
been Iluslous example history, which sh0u
have guided Mr. Polk, and which especially became thos
who 50 often invoked the of Thomas jefferson 10 re
spect. II that all fJurs with this ih
Government Of Spain had laid claim 10 the territory heweer
the lberyls and the Mississippi The United States caine
the same territory ceded with Louisiana The King
spain, bis officers, anticipated purpoae on our pan
taking this ersy by force and marched an army into il
What did President jefferson do He lid not presume
resist bot facts Congress- and asked nj
sanction Cor active measures We have the message a
hand and repeat the striking words quoted by Mr. r.
jefferson (procesded Mr. X true Republican, tru
Democca but Of the degenerate estyled Democracy
the present day. Suppose Mr. Polk Lad followed his foo,
steps, s there who believes that twenty members
Congrss would have voted for declaration Of war But
instead Of pursuing the Of Jeerson the President rs
plunged into wIr ard then called Congress 10 egsate
recognise IL an existing war.
Bot look at what occurring the other side Of III
continent The operations in CatJruia furnished the ru
kew to all these Permit me TO tell you said MI
r. that not merely the aal order of January 18Th
1896 in which The President undertook 70 wage wit
MEXICO Ia the very first order General Tsylor the occu
,oo of The whole territory between the Nupces and the