Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-01-08
Debate on the Case Of walker.


from Georgia Mr.. Stcphens) yesterday that
Walker was a better man than Com. Paul
ding. lie denied the assertion. Who was
Gen. Walker? lie first heard OF him when
be was defeated and driven out of Sonora
Then he went to Nicaragua, where he had a
temporary success; but the first thing ho DID
as the head of that Government was to seize
the steamers, thus cutting off comm unlcaton
between his forces and their supplies and
bringing about his own downfall and that Of
the brave spirits with him. lie next heard
of Walker when he was rescued from Nlca-
ragua through the humane exertlons OF our
naval officers, as related in the report Of the
Secretary If the Navy, which he read.
He recolIected seeing the remnant of the
deIuded men composing this unfortunate ex-
petition when they were brought to New
York, and more pitiable sight he never be
held Many were barefoot and hatless, wear
Jog only shirts and pantaloons, sick and
wounded dirty and lousy. Many OF them
had now gone to that bourne whence no tray
eller returns" and should their shades aF-
pear to William Walker be could not say to
them,
Thou cans not say did it."
Who was Commodore Paulding? lie was
the son Of that New Jersey farmer who, with
Williams and Van Vert three poor soldiers
in the Continental army--was engaged in
friendly game of "oli sledge" at the time
Major Andre, the British spy, was riding
away from West Point. lie stopped the spy,
aud Notwithstanding his pass, his arguments,
and his tempting brides, they delivered him to
the American camp and he was Banged
John Pauldng had no warrant, and had re-
ceiyed no special instructions to arrest An
Dire. He had nothing from the Continental
Government to authorize 1t.
Mr.. c.. B. CUCHRANE, Of New York, inQur-
ed if the gentleman believed q disposition to
defend the law of nations ran in the family.
Mr.. uAsKIN only mentioned these things
to show that Commod IRE PauidlEg came OF
rood stock, and believed he was worthy
scion of that stock. He had always been
faithful and valuable officer. No act had
been done since the present Administration
had been inaugurated which shed more honor
and glory on the country than this act OF
Commodore Padding in arrestiug Walker,
and he hoped the responsible majority in the
House would not tritter away that glory
which belonged to the nation by passing reso-
lutiOus OF censuFo. \ medal had been voted
to Commodore IDgrahpm for his noble con-
duct, and ia his opinion a medal was also
due to Commodore Paulding. lie had no
sickly sentimentalism on the subject OF fill
clustering; on the contrary, he was national
fillbuster. Private enterprise would only
retard the acquisition OF Central America
and the other places which we ought to have.
lie believed the time had arrived for apply
log the doctrines promulgated in the Ostend
document for our protection and preservation.
Mr.. KEITr, of South Carolina, inquired
if the gentleman was 10 favor OF the nations
breaking faith while compelling individuals
to keep 1t.
MI HAsEIN said he was not in favor OF
breaking faith but would 90 with the gentle
man from South Carolina for the seizure OF
Cuba whenever our Government would take
the responsibility, as England was in the
habit Of doing. Northern Democrats were
ready for that, and he believed the feeling
came naturally from the mother country
the greatest f!libustcr on earth. Democrats
Of the North believed the Government ought
BY conquest to do certain things. This bust
ness of Walkers was committing petty lar
ccny; if they were to gain any thing by lar
ceny at all he was in favor of national grand
larceny. Look at the recent conduct OF EGG
land in China, India, and elsewhere. Look
at her recent seizure of Perrin, IA small l.
land at the er trance Of the Red sea, near the
coast of Africa, which she wanted Tor ma
val depot Her naval forces did it, and Gov
eminent took tho responsibility. Let cur
Government act up to this standard, and
they would find thousands OF Northern DEM
ocrats to sustain than. They believed 10
the manifest destiny" Of the Republic; that
No pent up Utica contracts our powers,
But tho whole boundiess continent IS ours
lie designed, however, only to defend
Com. Paulding, and to put upon record his
position as q pure, hardshelled, National
Democrat.
Mr.. STEPHENS, of Georgia, said, in his re-
marks OF yesterday he did not intend TO az
sail the character Of Commodore Pauiiiug
further than so far as it was aft cted by the
act of arresting Walker. That was without
law or color Of law. Upon that deed alone
be was to stand. II might be that his grand
father had the honor OF refusing a bTiGc; IS
far as that went to his credit, let 1t 90. The
gentleman bad spoken Of the sad condition
Of Walkers men after their return, through
the illegal interference Of Commander Da-
Wis. What put them in that condition? Per
haps they had been robbed. He had heard,
too, that Walkers men now at Norfolk were
poor, lazy, and lousy. They were Ias5, he
believed, in company with naval officers, and
be did not know whether or not those officers
could look upon them and say
Thou cans; not say did it.
He made no im uraton against Commo.
dore PaulGing further ruan his act justified.
If she act was Illegal il was IN outrage that
ought to be redressoJ.
Mr. HAsKIN referred to instances where
American officers had exceeded their instruc-
tons and been sustained. That should be
the case whenever the act vas morally right
though technically wrong. Gen. Jackson
was fined for placing New Orleans under
martial law, but afterwards the fine was
paid by Congress, aud he was made Presi-
dent lie also referred to the seizure Of
pirates by Commodore Porter. He looked
upon Walker not as u general, bat as ma
rauier, aud that was the view taken by the
conservative National Democrats Of the
North.
Mr.. RococK, Of Virginia, ~ chairman Of
the Committee on Naval Affairs, had met
many naval ofHcera, bat none who wer1
"lazy and lousy" if the gentleman from
Georgia, (Mr. S;ephens) had met with such
be was sorry for his associations.