Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-12
MR. BUCHANAN-HIs MESSAGE RELATIVE TO The
ARREST OF GENERAL WALKER

On Saturday, we published the Presidents mes.
sage, which accompanied the correspondence called
for by the Senate, relative to recent events in Central
America. It is an eminently conservative and dig.
ni6ed document placing the delicate and important
question which it treats, in its proper light; and evil
dencing that self.csnfdent conviction of right, com.
bined with the determination to maintain il, which
is 90 essential to safe just and judicous conduct
OF the foreign as well as domestic relations of our
Government. We speak in no spirit of partizan
adustion, when We say, our exalted opinion Of
the ability. snd high confidence in the patriotism of
Mr. Bucha'an, previous TO bis election, have been
corroboratd and confirmed again by each additional
state.paper that has been Issued by him since bis
Inauguration. His first message to Congress- his Sill.
iman etteL and his message to the Senate on Thurs
day all attet uninchiDg rmness, the most impartial
patriotism and the highest degree of Statesman.
ship. Best by the conflicting counsels and ire.
concilable prejudicss of factions, on momentary
measures of expedenoy; confronted by difficulties
long ago commenced and already ripened for his Ad
mnstrstion coming into Office at that critical Juno
ture, when the ship of State must sink or be saved
by the stout heart and STEADY hand Uf al tic holm
he has far encountered obstacles at almost every
step, and NIT with dangers on every side He has, how
ever prove1hmself not only equal to each emergency
as it has ansn, bu superior to the misfortunes that
frown on him as we'll as too much for the macIins.
tions Of thosewho would embarrass and break down
bis Admnitatoi, for the attainment of their own
ends.
The unw,rrantd arrest of General Walker ia the
latest trouble tht has come upon the President.
When it was addenly announced few days
ago. murmur of disapprobation followed the
astonishing intligence, as it few through
the country. An soon 1t swells into thunder tone
of condemnation The voice Of the people is heard,
not in the mid aent Of doubtful dsapproval but in
Oud and distinc denunoiation of the unauthorized
and intolerable nlation of international law. 1t has
not yet ceased. he Union still rings with the out
cry against the mrpation Of Commodore Paulding.
This was tryif question for the decision of the
President, one fro which not few men, intimidsted
by the outburst popular indignation, would have
shrunk, and eth sought shelter in equivocatiou, or
bowed low to thGorm and joined in the extremeet
reprobation MlBuchanan has done neither. He
has met it boldYnd with manliness, candor and
determination witty the Executive of the United
States. Ssparats the man from the oficer-the
motive from the t-the end from the means-he ap.
plauds the one u condemns the other. And We
have no doubt Il country will sustain him in his
decision. When say the county, We mean, of
course, not to nede those mad caps, whose sympa.
thes for Walkerive completely shut out from their
mental and morSsion, the dignity and honor and
laws of the Unit States.
The sentence Condemnation passed bv the neo |
pie. on the cond, of Commodore Psuldng, is rati
fed and re sfirld by the President. when be says
that officer comred "a grave error" in his arrest
Of General Walk on Nicaragusn SOIL 1t is true, he
has not ordered home to be arrsigned before |
court.martis, noas be recommended bis suspension
or dismissal fronhe service. No such proceeding
was necessary. simple rebuke, such as has been
administered, wa disavowa of the act on the part
Of the Governm-and nothing more was either
demanded, or cd be expected, by conservative !
citizens, who wd maintain that policy towards
other powers. ~out which no nation, however
strong, prosperour free, can command the confidence
and admiration ohe civilized world. That portion |
Of the Presdsntfegulsr message, which relates to
the maintenance ohe neutrality laws, 80 far as we
have been enabled ubserve, was received with signs |
OF disapprobation ip section of the country. And
in again emphatica avowing his determination to
enforce them faithS, If possible, by all the legiti.
mate means in blower we cannot doubt, that
law.abiding citizsH all parties and in all portions
Of the Union, will iand him.