New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-02-18

full Of hope. Is cnveloped dark aid somo'e
cloud.
IL becomes us then rs ireemen, citizens Of this
great coniederscy, and above oil, as a Christian
people TO assert the true dignity Of our nature %
rescue the National character from reproach, and
TO preserve IN the sight Of the world and Of our
common Creator that integrity and purity without
which nations, like individuals. however great their
temporary prosperity must ultimately suffer mcrted
condemnation
1t is not our purposs-snd the limits Of public
address would scarceiy permit usto 20 into a criti
cal analysis a The true causes which have led %
the present unfortunate coniuncture Of affairs We
seek farther 20 rend the veil of the past than ~
deduce from It's sad lessons wisdom u guide Us for
the future.
Whether the present unnatural war between our
country and 2 sister Republic was the sct Of Next.
co or the result Of aggression on our own part, we
believe Il was unnecessary la rs origin, and. with
prudent action on the pert Of cur own Executive,
could and should have been avoided We farther
believe the immediate cause OF actual h0stitics 10
have been the orders emanatlng from the President
directing the American army 20 take post upon the
Ri0 Gr0nae, and-whcther or not in point Of fact
That river formed the boundary OF the STATE o.
Texas, as embraced within the letter and spirit OF
the resolution admitting that State into the Ameri
can JLiOn-He are bound 20 declare the condGct OF
the President IN this respect 10 have been hasty and
IN advised, and that his Administration must be
not tOsay prOvokers OF the contest y hich ensued.
The territory between the Nueces River aud the
Rio Grande was at all events disDuted territory.
and, with the exception Of small strip on the night
bank Of the Nueces, 10 tho actual aud peaceful pos
session q Mexico. An armed occupation OF this
dsputed territory. by the American forces, the
assertion Of exclusive right on part TO It's
possession, and left 10 Mexico other alternative
but quiet submission or appeal 70 that stern and
last arbiter OF national disputes-THE SWORD. To
that arbter she appealed, with what success her
devastated fields, her captured cities her saueh.
tered sons. and her mourning widows and orphans
too sadly tell but the MoRALIsT and PHILANTHRO-
PIsT, looking beyond the successful achievements
Of our veteran and skiliul officers and their brave
aud disciplined armies-While they wonder at and
admire the gallantry and iOrtitude which have led
them against unequal and fearful odds from victory
70 victory, until the flag Of our Union hOsted in tr
umph from the spires Of the captured capital Of the
ancient Aztecs point % the history Of the past Re
pubcs OF the Old World and find in their present
ruin and degradation painful memorials OF the fate
which awaits unhoy ambition, and which they fear
may too soon be recorded by the future historian Of
our own loved land
The lust OF territorial aggrandizement has a.
ready exhibited itsefin our National COuscils and
there are not wanting those who in conquered
Mexico, are prepared 10 reenact the atrocities per
petrated by the despots OF Northern Europe upon
unfortunate Poland. The extingushment Of the
nationality OF Mexico and her incorporation into
our Union If not openly avOwed by the Executive,
meets with no disfsvOr or denial at his hands when
promulgated by bis psTtisans or charged by his
opponents. The plea Of indemnity and security
IN other words, immediate annexation Of part and
armed occupation Of the rest OF Mexico IS but n
Aimsy pretence TO hide the true and necessary re-
suits of the ambitious designs Of the President.
We desire to avert this sad calamity, for such
we believe would be the annexation 70 this Union
of any considerable part OF Mexico with her mixed
Igrp
diverse laws. and the complete dIsc0rd OF races,
language aud manners OF the two people. We know
OF no greater misfortune Dat could bela our coun
try. short Of its own extingulshmeut than such 1
union and we see IN It's contamination the germs |
Of our own dissolution. and future fail Of despair
With these yews-ior the purpose of deberat !
ing upon the true course to be pursued in this /
crisis Of the Countrywide Wings OF New.YoTk 1
have assembled
Mexico lies bleeding aud PROSTATE at our feet [
Our National Honor II ever asssIled, has been /
fully vindicated Vengeance has been stated with /
blood sBd carnage. We can at least afford 10 be |
magnanmOus.
For What purpose-to what ends the w 10
be farther prosecuted
II for conquest we deny the right 10 continue the
war for such a purpose. II for indemnity 1t has
already been rendered. The truth u.s. stripped Of
all false coorng, the w has assumed a new and
distinct form
Terntory-the extension OF the so.called area |
OF freedom rapacious spirit Of plunder-tho /
sposton Of = weak and fallen enemy-constitute |
the sole grounds FOR farther continuance OF the /
conflict. IL can and must be terminated. RI lman /
blood must cease 10 flow The cause Of Humanity, |
the honor of the country, the welfare Of the people.
Justice and religion, imperatively demand that the |
contest should end.
VIII il end Under the present Administration
we lear not. The syowsl has already gone forth
that certain portions OF Mexico embracing an area
Of nearly onehal the entire country, and now in
our possession by Conquest, should " be secured
aud rendered available and never surrender
ed = and, as means OF coercng Mexico to such
terms OF peace as we may dictate armed occupa-
ton is TO be had OF the rest OF her ports, towns
cities and provinces"
Upon the People then, devolves the responsible
ty OF freeing the country from monstrous in
iquity. The Chariot OF State is on the brink Of
Precipice' aud seprotection requires that the in
competent driver should be hurled from his seat in
time TO avoid the precipice and save the fall. The
guidance of the machine must be changed and com.
petent and experienced rulers substituted for those |
who have shown their incompetency and betrayed /
their trust
First and foremost among the many true patriots
and statesmen who have raised their voices and |
interposed their exCrtons 20 stem this food Of in
justice and % restore the current of public opinion
10 It's wonted channel stands the name Of
HENRY CLAY. of Kentucky.
lie needs no eulOgiJm at our hands-hs deeds are
written I'M the chronicles OF his cOuntry's glory /
Preemineut as he has been in the Cabinet, in the
halls OF Legislation, and the field OF Diplomacy
the moral courage, the se.fdevotiOu and the calm
sagacity displayed IN his memorable speech at
Lexington form the crowning act in a life well
spent in the service Of his country, and designate
hun as The Man upon whose counsels and wisdom
al may rely.
We, therefore, the Wings of New.York do
hereby nominate and do earnestly recommend to
the Wings Of the Union, HENRY CLAY. as our
CANDIDATE FOR President OF THE UNITED
STATES.
While we thus express our own preference we
disclam any right TO dictate 10 any portion of our
fellow citizens the course they should pursue but
believing large majority of the people 10 be
opposed 10 the present administration, Ne ask and
entreat that al least We should preserve unity of
action, aud that by combined and vigorous effort
the will OF the msjority should be made known and
felt.
To this end we pledge ourselves 70 abide the
result Of the National Convention 10 be held at
Philadelphia, on the TN OF June next aud to those
who have heretofore been co-laborers and fellow
workers with as in the cause Of Wing principles,
we say IN a spirit OF harmony and kindness-BE
e.t or ~ stsf ~, D fLUr