Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-01-09

Congress On N1caraguan Affairs.
On Monday Lass Mr. Clingman, as Chairman Of the
committee on Foreign affairs, introduced the follow
ing resolution into the House Of Representatives:
Resoloed, That the President be requested to com
municate to this House, if not incompatible with
the public interests all the information in his posses
sion in relation to the late seizure of Gen. William
Walker and his followers in Nicaragua, together
with such instructions as may have been gwen 10
naval officers and other officials pertaining TO
the subject
Objection being made to the introduction OF the
resolution Mr.. Cngman moved to suspend the rules
which was done by vote of III to z. The remain
ing proceedings we quote from the Globe:
Mr. Clingman did not expect to have said
ANYTHING upon the resolution, but it seems to me
that the opposition of gentlemen around me renders
a word necessary. l think one moments reflection
will satisfy the House that is important that the
resolution should be adopted. And in reference to
the suggestion of the gentleman from Tennessee,
[Mr. JoNEs.] I will say that if he will offer the
amendment to which he referred, will vote for It.
fought, perhaps to saga few words about the 70 m
of this resolution, and the reasons why the commit
tee made the call in this mode. think it is broad
enough to cover the ground indicated by the gentle
man from Tennessee. Itcas for all the information
in the Presidents possession in regard to the seizure
OF course the President will be likely to inform the
House what this man has been doing, as a reason
why he was seized 1t also calls for all instructions
given to our officers. Yet fthe gentleman from Tenn
essee is not satisfied with that, why, let him move
an amendment calling for any further information,
and opening the doors as wide possible, and
shall be ready to vote for it. Every gentleman will
see, upon moments reflection, that this is ques-
ton of much importance, and one which the House
cannot overlook. 1t involves three considerations of
sufficient importance.
In the first place, there is question in relation
r. I: c,11o ho houo
been seized. Whether they have any claim upon
us or not, is question of only minor Importance.
Then there is second question, with reference to
the rights of Nicaragua, or Costa Rica, or whoever
owns the territory which has been invaded. But,
sir there is still question of far more Importance,
far this House and the country are concerned,
which does not depend upon either of these. It ap
pears that one of our oficers-whether with the
authority of the President not it is not now neces
sary to inaure-has, at the head of large body of
armed men, gone into territory that does not be-
long to the United States and carried away by force
one or two hundred persons This Will strike eve
rybody as an act of war; and its justification does
not depend at all upon either Of the other questions
For example, suppose-for mere arguments sake
Walker was as bad man AS you can imagine him
to be; this would not justify his seizure in that
mode Why, sir, there are bad men in all the coun-
tries of the world but that does not justify our Off
GERS in marching into those countries and arrestng
them without any authority from Congress. Wheth-
er Nicaragua does does not object to this proceed
ing. is wholly immaterial. Suppose Nicaragua had
been invaded by foreign army, AID one of our
officers had assisted her to expel it; she would not
have complained Of the invasion of her territory. If
rebellion or civil war had prevailed there and our
officers had gone in to put it down to to take sides
in it. whv, of course, the triumphant party would
not complain I have no sort of doubt that if, dur
ing the revolution in Paris in 1s48 American troops
had gone there and put down the revolution, Louis
Philippe, the monarch, would not have complained
of the invasion of his territory
Mr.. Richie. l desire to make single remark
lust at this point, to show the light in which
gard the late act of Commodore Paulding. That
act sir, was justfable on this ground that Walker
was fugitive from the criminal laws of this country,
and the officer of any country dispatched in pusuit
of criminal has right to arrest him nywhere with
the consent of the Government of the country in
which the fugitive has sought an asylum
Mr.. Clingham. I hear the suggestion of my
friend from Pennsylvania with great pleasure, al.
though do not concur with him l think that on
reflection he will that that does not justify, IN
any respect movement of this kind Suppose a
fugitive from this country were to flee into Canada,
or to London, Paris, and officers, with troops
were to follow him there and bring him away by
force the gentleman will preceive at how that
would involve us. We have right 10 demand from
some foreign Governments, in some cases. the ex-
tradition of the fugitive, but not to arrest him by
force upon a foreign soil.
But, Mr.. Speaker, my object in rising was not to
enter into justification censure of Walkers
movements, but to show the House that, whether
the man was criminal not it does not affect the
present question. Congress may authorize inter
ference in the affairs Of a foreign country; they
may make a declaration of war; but as the Consti.
tuition gives to Congress alone the war-making
power, the point must strike every that our
officials have right to perform acts Of until
authorized by declaration of Congress. Wheth-
ther Walker was an invader of Nicaragua, or was q
rebel or party to civil war in that country in any
point of view officials could not take part in the
contest unless authorized by Congress to do So II
is because the war.making power is one of the most
important that Congress is invested with, that
think it our duty to look into this question at once
Mr.. Grow. l would suggest to the gentleman
that when we get the information called for in his
resolution, it will then be the proper time to discuss
this question.
Mr.. Clngham am infinitely obliged to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania for the suggestion and
agree with him on that point. l do not now pro-
pose to discuss the facts involved in this matter but
to indicate points of view in which it may be impor
tant Another great question must suggest itself C
the mind of every gentleman. We have for years
had struggle going with Great Britain as to the
dominion or control of these Central American
States and have often complained of the acts of he
officials there; but if we justify this act of Commo
dore Paulding, may not Great Britain interfere al
can thus interfere, may not Great Britain do the
same? And shall we then have any right to com
plain? This proceeding may, too be violation o.
the Bulwer Clayton treaty? In this point of view
I hold that the Government is bound to disavov
this act Great Britain may do whatever she thinks
proper hereafter.
But again, sir are we to leave to our naval off
the discretion to do acts of this sort? 1t may
turn out that in this particular instance it will give
rise to no difficulty but if naval officers are t.
be allowed to 60 into foreign countries to make sci
zures the result will be that Congress will be strip
ped Of the war. making power. Even the President
could not have authorized it, and shall we leave thu
power to subordinate officers? 1t seems to me lha
this is question of sufficient importance to justify
its investigation, no matter what gentlemen may
think of Walker. They will recollect dnnhtless