Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-03
The President and General Wake. r

We republsh elsewhere this morning an
extract from speech, recently deliver
ed in Mobile, by Gen. WILLIAM WALKER, to
which we beg leave to direct the particular
attention of our readers. If the statements
therin made, be true, (Which we are not per-
united to doubD they irrevocably fix the
brand OF the most consummate hypocricy and
deceit upon the brow of the President. Cen
WALKER distinctly affirms, that when he was
brought captive to the United States in May
last, ne was received by the President in
cordial and friendly manner, that he learned
from one of his confidential advisers, that the
Administration favored his efforts to Ameri-
canize Nicaragua, and that he felt assured by
representations of men in authority that he
would be not only sustained, but furnished
material assistance by the government of the
United States, in the same manner that the
British government had assisted the Costa Ri
a cans, with arms and munitions of war. He
states that he proceeded under this impression,
declaring at all times, both before and after
these assurances, that he would not relinquish
his enterprise; and that his letter to the Pre-
stances of his unlawful seizuse by Command
! er DAVIS, and declaring his intentions for the
future, was written with the previous know
ledge and assent of the President. He further
states that he had no knowledge of change
OF the feelings or policy Of the administration
till September, when an executive proclama-
ton was issued, vaguely charging that some
lawless men were somewhere engaged in fit
ting out an expedition contrary to the neu-
trality law of 1873 and putting the public
officers on the qui UiUe to discover and arrest
the same. That subsequently to this, in Oct
ober he was indirectly approached by Cabin
ct officer, with proposition to change the
direction of his CWALKER's) efforts, by turn
ing to Mexico forming an alliance with that
power, and thus intrigue rupture between
Spain and Mexico whereby an opportunity
would be afforded to pounce upon and wrest
Cuba from the Spanish dominion. Positive
assurances were given, if this course were
pursued, that ''meq1s should not he hckaq 10 car
ry out the enterprise" Maugre all this, the
President turns about, and dcnounces Gen
WALKER in effect as an outlaw and pirate
These disclosures are part of the history
of the times and as such will 90 down to pos
terity. They place the President i'll an atti
tude to be scorned and despscd by the nations
abroad, and held in mingled contempt and pi
ty, by all just and high-minded men at home
1t is as unfortunate as it is humilliatng t.
the people and government of the United
States, and if endorsed by us as a nation
would degrade us from our present high posi-,
ton in the family of nations, to level with
the souless and honorless pettifogger, who
goes about nursing disputes, and encouraging
strifes among his neighbOrs, for his own adj
vantage. If Mr.. BUCHANAN had any conccp-
ton of the duties of the head of a great and
honorable republic, at the time of his inaugu-
ration, he has totally failed from the beginning
to illustrate them by his actions. We are at a
loss to account for the inefiabe weakness
which has characterized his entire administers
ton SO far, and threatens to plunge the
government into the deepest pool of national
infamy. He has yet to show the first mark of
respectable administrative ability, or indeed
the slightest knowledge of the duty, honor
and responsibility of great Power, at the
head of which he has been placed by Il mis-
tlken people.