Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-07
ALEXANDRIA,:
THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY :, 1855

corning the action of the general govern
aent, unnecessarily, into the proceedings OF
the Legislature Of Virginia. The people had
become tired of the spectacle, once year,
of "erand debate" and spicy resolutions"
upon the prominent topics in national poll
tics and national concerns, whilst the great
interests Of the State were neglected, or
slurred over, or not attended to, for rant Of
time. But, it seems, the evil has been only
"scotched, not killed" Suddenly, in this
year of our Lord. 1858, we have the foreign
policy of the government, aud the conduct Of
al officer Of the Navy, not citizen of the
State, in REFRESHING Fillibustering expedi-
ton, brought up before the General Assem-
bly,, and it's action invoked in the way OF
resolutions" sufficiently pungent for all pur-
poses. Now, we doubt not the honest con-
yictions of those who are in favor OF these
resolutions, and their belief 10 the propriety
of having them passed. But we differ from
them so decidedly, that we must express our
regret at the movement, and our wish that it
will be quietly laid aside. That these reso-
lutions are entirely premature, is proved
by the fact, that neither Congress 1.-THE proper
tribunal for the consideration of such topics)
nor the Country, has yet been placed 10 pos
session of the full and proper information on
which to form and declare an opinion. The
President is now actively preparing, In
response TO call from Congress, this very
information. But, besides this; is the Legis-
lature Of Virginia to be invoked to take up
the cases, and condemn, by resolution, the
conduct of all the officers of the Army and
Navy, who may be supposed to have gone
beyond the instructions Of the President, or
to have deviated from what may BE- called
the ''strict rule" in the discharge Of their
respective duties? If the officers Of the
Army and Navy are to be subjected to this
new ordeal why cannot civil officers also
be brought up for trial and cepsure? Why
have not Walker and Stanton been arrHigued
for their doings in Kansas, aud made to al
swer for their course, which, according to
some, is 80 much to be deprecated: In
truth, admit the principle, and the Legisla-
ture may as we'll, during its session, ere
solve" itself into Committee Of the Whole,
on the affairs of the nation, and cOnfine itself
entirely to general government matters. 1t
will fiud its hands full, and DO time to spare
for internal improvements, finances, banks,
education, commerce, and manufactures
These subjects may as well be sent to Gov
entry" at once.
Much pains has been taken to induce the
idea that there is great excitement in the
State, in relation to this Walker business.
We believe the excitement" is confined en-
tirely to politicians, so far as there Is
any sympathy for Walker, or his attempts
upon a neighboriDg friendly nation. The
great body of the people of Virginia, we are
sure, are in favor Of the views and principles
announced by the President concerning these
flitusteripg expeditions, In his annual mes
sage to Cor gress, and prefer that the whole
su biect should lie lef; to the Executive and
Congress, where it belongs. The people,
OF the State Legislature, will, afterwards,
form and express their opinions as to the
course of the Administration in the premises.
1t so happens that, at the very time the
Legislature of Virginia is called upon to
condemn Com. Pauding, By peremptory
resolution, the matter is before the House
of Representatives for the action Of that
body-not by a vote Of censure. but simply
on motion of Mr.. Quitman, an effect, to refer
it for the neutrality laws involve the whole
subject to a select committee, for consldera-
ton, aud a report and this M ton, too,
by gentleman as much opposed to Com
Paulding's course as any gentleman IN the
Virginia Legislature can be. The House
first calls fer information IRON the PRESIDENT
and then proposes to raise committee 10
examine the subject, by the light to be afford,
ed by official documents. Contrast this pro
per course with the proposition now before
our Legislature, In the debate on Mr. QaIt-
mans resolution, to refer the neutrality laws
to a select committee, which will bring up
the Walker case necessarily, Mr. Qmtman'
and Mr. Stephens. of Ga, both showed thelr
disapprobation Of the action of Con-. fauld-
ing, as did, also, Mr. Keitt, Of S. C.--but the
latter gentleman conteuded that ut is not
difficult to infer The position which the Pfcsl'
dspt must hold with reference to the arrest
Of General Walker and the conduct OF Com
modore Paulding. 1t was, ne said' well
known that Capt Chatard had been censured
and removed from his command for not ar
resting Gen. W alker and his expedition wheu
upon the very borders OF Nicaragua, and
therefore within the marine jurisdiction OF
that country. Com. Pauldiug had done with
in the territorial jurisdiction of Nicaragua
what this Administration had confidently ex.
pected at the hands of Capt. Chatsrd; aud as
his (Com. Paulding's) conduct had incurred
no censure, it was to be presumed that the
President approved it. Certainly, if Capt
Chatard was wrong, Com. Paulding was right;
but Mr.. Keitt denied the whole theory on