Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-12-09
Walker and the Federal Officers.

lrroih the new orleans bulletin, NOV. 21 |
Our exchange are inculpating in unmeas
ured terms the Federal officers at this port
for the late flight insnuated, but openly
cha. ged. that there was privity and collus-
ion on the part of the officers, from the Col
lector and District Attorney down to inspec
tors and tide-waiters, TO facilitate the escape
of the indomitable tillibuster. From the
New York Times we clip the following par.
agraph:
"On the morning of the same day that
Walker left New Orleans, the steamer Fash
ion, heavily laden with arms, ammunition
and provisions, got away from the same port,
She, too, cleared for Mobile, ard, with all
proper submission to the law, she allowed
herself to be searched by United States
marshal No contraband goods were dis.
covered-no MIME rifles, mortars, powder,
shot, or other implements of war No sus
piclous-iooging characters were noticed on
board, though the Fashion did actually car
ry away large body of Walkers recruits
Like statements are made in the Western
papers, and upon the assumption that there
has been duplicity on the part of the Gov
eminent and neglect of duty and connivance
on the part of its subordinates it is boldly
charged that the faith of treaties nas been
broken. and the laws violated by those
sworn to observe and administer them. We
know nothing OF the feelings and sympa
thies ofthe Administration Mr.. Buchanan
may, for aught We know, be favorably dis
posed in his personal capacity to the expe-
dition of Walker. but as the Executive Of
the Government he is bound to execute and
see that others execute. the laws of the
country. Not long since he issued diplo-
matte circular, to be communicated to ell
European nations, Conveying the assurance
that this Government would not permit any
armed bodies of men to depart from its
coast with an Intention Of making war mon
any other neighboring people. We are not
prepared to say that because Walker has
adroitly disarmed suspicion, imposed upon
the credulity of the Executive, and eluded
detection obstruction in effectiug hi. escape.
that the President has broken public faith.
and had been himself throwing dust in the
eyes of foreign diplomatists.
On the other hand, we find it charged
that the Administration has been in earnest
In attempting to arrest the hostile expedi
ton OF Walker against Nicaragua, but that
his orders have either been disregarded or
positively disobeyed. A Washington cor
respondent of the New York Courier and
Enquirer says that the legal and naval Off
GERS have been deficient in vigilance and
energy, in observing the Presidents orders.
and that their conduct gives color to sus.
picions OF connivance aud collision. He
further adds, that "the commander of the
Fulton will probably be brought before a
court of inquiry for his failure, and it is not
improbable that the Collector and District
Attorney Of New Orleans will be broken for
dereliction of duty"
we are not the apologist of either the Adj
mlnistratlon or Its officers but when we
happen TO be In possession Of facts which
VIII vindicate the chracter and conduct of
an officlal, We shall not stop to consider orr
political relation. We happen to know that
the statement in the Times and other iourn.
ais, to the effect that the Fashion left NV
Orleans laden with arms. ammunition. and
munitions of war or that any armed expedi.
ton was fitted out at this port, is entirely
erroneous and unfounded in fact. The Fash
ION was searched, ami nothing of the kind
was found on board of her-her papers were
all correct, and sailing under coast license.
she cleared from this port for Mobile, with
the usually assorted cargo shipped to that
port
There was nothing in the vessel, her car
60 or papers. that would have justified her
detention here, whatever might have been |
done at Mobile. We know, moreover. that
the collector exercised due vigilance and en-. |
ergy in the premises, that he employed ex-
ira officers to detect any movement and re.
port to him Immediately, and that it was Mt |
his instance that Walker was arrested, and
placed in the custody of the United States
oficera There has been no dereliction of
The collector-of that fact we are well an.
'ured. The other officers may be equally
olameless, but Of them or their official aefa
re cannot speak advisedN