The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-01-13
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE AND DE.
BATE.

OF MI. buenanaD, III 10 Tic Captulc 1
of-Gen. Walker and his men, by Com. Paul
ding. 1t is a carefully worded document
1t starts out with the charge that Commodore
Paulding has committed grave error"
aud then adds that he "a acted from pure and
patriotic motives"
The President also states his unyielding /
determination ito execute the Neutrality |
Laws of the United States" not only as it is
made his duty, but also, from high sense
of their "-value and importance" At the
same time he avows his belief, that it
is beyond question, the destiny Of our
race to spread themselves over the continent |
of North America, and this at no distant
day, should events be permitted 70 take their
natural course" Ii is because unlawful ex-
petitions, like Walkers, retard this I" object
which We all desire,n that he especially de-
plores such premature and ill-judged under
takings. His conclusions have no particular
connection with his premises. Logic is not
the Presidents forte. The reasons he gives
for charging Commodore Paulding with error
are unsatisfactory, yet he expresses the deter
mination not to recall him. If Commodore
Paulding has conformed to law let him be
applauded and if not, let him be condemned.
The President asserts that the Commodore
has committed ''grave error" and then pro-
ceeds to justify and applaud his course.
The reading of the message was followed
by long and spirited debate. The attempt
Of the President to ''carry water on both
shoulders in this affair, was severely COM
mented upon by Southern Senators.
JEFF. Davis ''dissentcd from the arguments
of the President, but an apologist for fill
busterism. He denied the right of the Gov
eminent to intercept such q movement, even
though unlawful, beyond the jurisdiction
of the United States" 1t was only at the
mouth-of the Mississippi, and on the coast of
Alabama" that our navy should have been
called into activity, to break up Walkers ex-
petition. Senator Brown, of Mississippi,
was very savage on the President for not
condemning Paulding, instead of exeusing
him.
Senator Seward can hardly be said 10 have
supported the Presidents views in the case.
The drift of his remarks rather to CEN
sure the neglect to bring Walker to trial and
punishment. Senator Pugh came to the res
u
up boldly in defence of the sacred right,
rs he termed it, of an American citizen to
cxpatiate himself;'' justified Walker; con-
demned Paulding; and "came down" on
the Administration with great energy O
speech. "W lille the administration" SAID
he, "sre talking about the iniquity Of Wal
ker's proceedings in Central Americe, they
90 on deliberately, in violation of the faiti
of treaties and honor of nations, to invade
the soil of foreign country for the puTpos'
Of arresting him."
Senator Toombs denied that the neutraiit,
laws had been violated; and contended that
even if they had been, the use which tn
President had made of the Army and Navy
beyon the jurisdiction of this country, ''wa
usurpation of authority, not only il
derogation of law, but in derogation o
the oath of Office. He must get the au
thority of law to use any extra territora
jurisdiction whatever. He could commanC
no popular respect as vindicator of tn
laws of our country unless he himself shout,
obey the laws. But in this case one law ha
been violated for the purpose of vindicatinl
another"
Judge Douglas denied the authority of tn
President to use the army or navy beyon'
the limits Of our jurisdiction, which is de
fined to extend one marine league from tn
coast. He expressed himself in favor of Civ
ing the neutrality laws fair, faithful AM
vigorous execution. He disclamed an
sympathy for fllibustering. He declare
in favor of the Expansion of the area G
freedom but only in "alawful and rcgula
manner He was specially opposed to send
ing out naval officers, with vague instruc
tons, fillibustering all over the high sea-
under the pretence of putting down fllihus
tering.n He said he voted against the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty, as binding this countr
not to do what sit might be necessary Tor il
safety to do-that is, to annex those terrific
tories only half the distance to California an
on the direct road"
The Senator INDUCED also, in little gle
rifcation at the success Of his opposition ta'
tics. saving, he found he was getting in'
good company, and beating up recruits fa'
ter than Walker" This last was by way
response to the compliment passed upon hi
by Senator Brown, for his "spunk" on u
Kansas question.
Senator Pearce, Of Maryland-elccted
his present position as Whig-was the oil
" Senator who came forward to defend NJ
Buchanan in his evil hour. He thought 81
debate premature. "Nothing had been res
but the message. They did not know VIII
light the instructions would throw on q
subject. He believed that the expedition
Walker from the United States was fl
grant violation of the laws of the Unit
States and that the President did nothir
but his duty in authorizing the naval forces
prevent that expedition from attacking pc
pie with whom we are at peace. He believ'
that it was due to the character of the matte
that such steps that should be taken
put down these marauding expeditions, whi
bring disgrace on the country"
~ We have seen a number of letters a.