Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Speech of Henry Clay, at the Lexington Mass Meeting, 13th November, 1847: Together With the Resolutions Adopted on That Occasion
I conclude, therefore, Mr. President and fellow-citizens, with entire confidence, that Congress has the right, either at the beginning, or during the prosecution of any War, to decide the objects and purposes for which it was proclaimed, or for which itought to be continued. Duty of Congress by some deliberate and authentic act, to (d e present War shall be longer prose outed. I suppose the, sitate to regulate his conduct by the pronounced will of Congress, and to employ the force and the diplomatic power of the nation to execute that will. But, if the President should decline or refuse to do so, and, in contempt 'of the supreme authority of Congress, should persevere in waging the War, for other objects than those proclaimed by Congress, then it would be the imperative duty of that body to vindicate its authority by the most stringent and effectual, and appropriate measures. And, if on the contrary, the enemy should refuse to conclude a treaty, containing stipulations securing the objects designated b y Congress, it would become the duty of the whole Government to prosecute the War with all the national energy, until those objects were attained by a treaty of peace. There can be no insuperable difficulty in Congress making such an authoritative declaration. Let it resolve, simply, that the War shall or shall not be a War of con-1 quest; and, if a War of Conquest, what is to be' conquered. Should a resolution p'ass, disclaiming the design of Conquest, peace would follow in less than sixty days, if the President would conform to his constitutional duty.
Here, fellow-citizens, I might pause, having indicated a mode by which the nation, through its accredited and legitimate representatives in Congress, can announce for: what purposes and objects this War shall be longer prosecuted, and can thus let the whole people of the United States know for what end their blood is to be farther shed, and their treasure farther expended, instead of the knowledge of it being locked up and concealed in the bosom of one man. We should no longer perceive the obs jects of the War varying, from time to time, according to the changing opinions of the Chief Magistrate charged with its prosecution. But I do not think it right to stop here. It is the privilege of the people, in their primary assemblies, and of every private man, however humble, to express an Opinion in regard to the purposes for. Which the War should be continued; and such an expression will receive just so much consideration and consequence as it is entitled to, and no more.
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