Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-09
From the Columbus (Gd.) Enquirer.
Important Evidence Suppressed.

THE TYRANNY OF GOVERNMENT.
It will be remembered that Gen. WIN. WALK
ER, in a speech made by him in Mobile last
winter, distinctly charged that the Executive
Government of this country had made to him
overtures or encouragement for a tLlibu'teTIng
expedition TO Mezico-giving him to understand
that he would not be intertered with if he
turned his attention to that quarter and aban-
doned Nicaragua. Somebody connected with
the Government 1--WE do not now recollect
who, but not the party directly implicateD
denied this at the time, and so the matter
rested and remained a question of veracity.
In the report of Gen. Walkers speech on
his trial in New Orleans heretofore published
by us) it will be observed that before he had
said a word against the Government, but just
at the point when he alluded to former visit
to Washington (where, as he had alleged be-
fore his trial, the overture above mentioned
was made to him. Judge CAMPBELL abruptly
interrupted him with the announcement that
he would not be permitted to say anything
derogatory to or tending to implicate the
Government What was it that aroused the
Judges vigilance as soon as Walkers visit
to Washington was alluded to? and what dis
closure was it that he was resolved to sup
press in so tyrannical a manner? In late
letter written by him to Hon. w. b. III. How
ard, of Wilcox county, Ala, Gen. Walker
throws some light on this extraordinary pro-
ceeding; aud as his allusion to it is connected
with other interesting structures on the con-
&c Of ba
letter:
"You are probably aware that | was ar
raigned for trial on the last day of last month.
Although the United States was allowed every
advantage; although we allowed the District
Attorney to lead and cross-eXamine his own
witnesses (and the Court allowed him to inn
peach one of them); and although the Court
assisted the prosecution in every possible
manner, the jury stood ten for acquittal and
two against-the latter declaring they were
Influenced entirely by the charge of Justice
Campbell From the beginning. the prosecu-
ton was pushed with vigor. The Govern
ment exhausted all it's peremptory challenges
(six) before the jury was formed All sorts
of evidence for the prosecution was admitted.
Witnesses were permitted TO state their mo-
tives for going to Nicaragua, thus making me
responsible for the intentions of other men.
Some of the witnesses swore my name was
CRATE to Nicaragua, and the Court ruled that
il was incumbent ON me TO show that this was
not done by my knowledge and consent. But
when the defence sought to Introduce evil
dence, they were restricted within the mar
rowest limits. offered 10 prore certain propose,
tons made 10 By the ErecuttVe Department. IN
order to show why used caution III leaving
the United States; but this was rejected. 1t
was the evident object of the Court to shield
the Government and keep out all evidence Uh'ch
migh tend 10 inculpute the EIecuttpe; at the same
time, every possible insInuation against me
was received and entertained by the Court"
The words which we have itdiacised can have
reference TO nothing else than the proposition
in relation TO Mexico made to Gen. Walker
by the Government; and the course of the
Court shows that il was instructed, or at least
resolved, to suppress The truth about this matter.
The denial OF the truth of Gen. Walkers
former charge, made in Mobile, was never
made by the proper parties; and this refusal
to permit him to prove it, or even to allude 10 |
it in his speech before the Court, is pretty |
convincing evidence of its truth. 1t is shown |
then, that the Executive Government was |
quite willing for him to filbuster against
Mexico-with which nation we were at peace, |
but was resolved to use all means in It's |
power to prevent his return to Nicaragua
the country in which alone he had rights. |
This exhibition of the partial, sectional and
time-serving policy of the Government needs |
no comment TO condemn it in the estimation
Of every candid man.