The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-13

4,ss tsoas iha \, y, journal o. uOBmsr,s.
THE PRESIDENTS MEssSAGE on WALKERS AR
REST

The PRESIDENTS MtSssAGE Oh WALKERS AR
REST
We eonhdent that the great majority OF American
citizens who prize the honor country aud desire
to preserve her high standing ia the family Of civilized
tons, aud promote by lawful means her interests and
progress will heartily approve the Presidents recent
message TO the Senate in reply 70 call for information
with regard to the arrest Of VIM wker at PuntA Are
mas by Commodore Pauding
Technically and according the strict letter Of in
ternationA law Comnodore Pauding did wrong in land
ing AN armed force of United States marines Ncarag
soil To offender against the laws the Uni
ted States When Walker landed at Punta Arenas he
was beyond the legal power Of the United States. and
WAS only amenable TO the laws of Nicaragua Commo-
dore Pauldngs conduct therefore, a usurpation of
power legally vested in the Ncaraguan government, and
offence against the sovereignty of that republic
which she ID entitled should she think proper to demand
satisfaction from the United States II is necessary,
therefore. lest Commodore Pauldngs act should be
srued hereafter precedent IL justify the invasion Of the
territory of an independent State for the purpose
of arresting American fugitive from justice, that IL
should be disavowed by the federal Executive, and
declared TO be, in the words of the President grave.
error As the OF the United States bound
20 demand redress for violation by any other nation of
International comfy any ansgression Of those prn-
cples which have been adopted by general consent
guarantee OF the Independence and rights Of nations,
without regard to this power territorial the
principle they bound to observe that comfy
themselves and to departure by their
officers from the code which the governments the civil
lied world have accepted the rule of their intercourse
In disayowing Commodore Pauldngs capture Of Walker
and his followers the soil of Nicaragua the President
has rgy enforced that code, and atoned for its viola
ton But although the President disapproves Commo-
dore Paudings act in technical and legal point Of
view he distinctly approves the motives which actuated
that gallant officer and records his belief that they
pure and patriotic, and that he acted from sincere
conviction that he promoting the interests and vim
dicating the honor OF his country We convinced
that such were the motives Of the Commodore, and
also convinced that by acting he did he has
ted the interests and indicated the honor of his country
and proved to the civilized world only that do
not, nation justify buccaneering expeditions against
foreign nations with which at peace but that we
able and willing 10 seize and punish the reckless and
lawless men who engage in such expeditions
There certainly be apprehension that Nicaragua
will complain of the violation of her Territory any
than man who being robbed aud murdered would
be likely to complain If powerful friend, hearing his
cries. to enter his house and him from the
hands of those who plunderng and numbering him
Ii the robbers and aassns to protest against the
trance of this friend into the house of their victim and
demand redress for being thus prevented from committing
murder and robbery 1t appears to that their protest
and demand would be entitled to quite much consdera
ton as Is Mr. Walkers protest against the conduct OF
Commodore Pauldng and his demand for indemnity from
the United States government. As have already
shown, whether Walker be, he claims citizen of Nj
caagua citizen Of the United States he outraged the
law of the United States when he fitted expedition
within our limits, the object of which to invade
country with which at peace and to oyerturn
government which have formally acknowledged
Whatever may be his nationality the President nobl
remarks he violated :. the principles OF Christianity,
morality, and humanity, held sacred by all civilized
tons and by than by the people of the United
States I; and he deserves, and should receive, the
punishment allowed by the law il would
ourselves from the mpnation OF being ccompices in his
guilt,
We cannot commend too highly the forcible rebuke
which the President administers to those who hold the
doctrine that American interests and American progress
served when adventurer aud few daring and ut
tey reckless form expedition against OF the
feeble States which close to borders The fill
busters may call themselves benefactos of mankind and
dusers of civilization. and their friends may esteem them
SUCH but the world considers them pirates enemies
of mankind anil punishable wherever by whomsoeyer
captured If Central America is TO be regcnerated and if
the blessings of civilization to be extended to that
unhappy country, it is not by the knives OF buster
band at the lannon's mouth that great work
be accomplished but by the lessons of peace the nu
of friendship and good fellowship, and the rresst
bic attraction of superior mental and physical culture
The United States have to he proud that their
Chief Magistrate has nobly indicated the national
honor, and forciby expressed hs determination to
uphold the law, and punish all who may venture to
| transgress it.