Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-01-08
nay- Ofthe events which have occurrod

pay Ofthe events which have occurred
since the issue of our last paper, the most
important is the capture of Gen. Walker
and the men underhis immediate command
by Commodore Paulding, and their return
to the United States as prisoners charged,
by their captor, with piracy. This act,
perpetrated by an officer of the United
States Navy, and beyond the Jurisdiction
of this government is creating no little
excitement in the extreme South, where
Walkers expedition is most popular.
Without expressing an opinion upon
the legality or expedicncy of Walkers cap
ture, we may be permitted to suggest that
the South has had lessons enough 10 make
iG distrustful of locofocoism under the
lead of northern locofoeo President.
Pierce has the distinguished honor of hav-
ing secured, through naval officer, the
defeat Of Walkers first expedition, and the
second has been promptly defeated by
Buchanan, through the same agency. But
his party, fearing the effect of step so at
war with the wishes of at least portion of
the southern locofocos, have rallied to his
defence, and declare that he does not ap-
prove the course of the Commodore, who
will probably be recalled and court-mar-
tailed .
This is re-hash Of the defence set up
for Buchanan in the case of Gov. Walker
and Kansas and as tie latter was sacri-
feed to appease the South, after the mis-
chief was done, so, it may be found neces-
sary, for the same end, to victimige Com
modore Paulding. after his interference
has given ample time to Nicaragua to
provide against any future attempt from
the same quarter. Under the new code of
justice promulgated by the locofoco party,
that the agent, instead Of the principal, is
responsible, the President will, of course.
be acquitted second time, and second
agent become the instrument of vicarious
atonement. Well, be it sol The North is
resolved to cripple-if not crush-the in
stitation of slavery, and the South not
only knows it, but is lending a helping
hand. The true friends of the Union and
the South are powerless to stay the ruth
less hand of wilful treason, and all they can
do is to hope that reaction will take place
ere it be too late to remedy the accumula-
ted evils of years of wretched misrule.
We are no advocate of fillibustering
but look upon it as an evidence of a rapid
decline in public morals and a long stride
towards anarchy-the precursor, in fact, of
the down fall of the Republic. But in the
capture of Gen. Walker, there are circum-
stances we'll calculated to arouse suspicious
of foul play on the part of the Administra-
ton. The vessel which bore the adven-
turer was not only permitted to depart in
peace, but with papers duly prepared, CIV
ing it the character ofan emigrant ship /;
it passed Immediately under the stern of
United States vessel sent out, professed-
ly, to capture it, and quietly landed its
cargo of soldiers and munitions of war.
Then comes forward naval officer who
takes upon himself, the responsibility, in
violation of international law, of capturing
Walker and his men, and relanding them
upon our shores. From these facts the
inference is legitimate that Walkers ex-
petition was connived at by the Admins
tration, up to the point of its landing in
Nicaragua, in order to please the South,
and that the capture was stroke to please
the North or ifnot, Paulding acts against
the wishes and expectation of the President
and may loose his position in consequence.
The first of these differences fixes upon
the President disgraceful double dealing
in matter ofgrave import andthe latter
charges wilful violation of treaty stipu-
lations.