The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-01-20
The Presidents Message on Central
American Affairs. - .

.rt American AHalfS.
In response to the call of the Senate tor the
facts in the case, the President on the 7th inst,
submitted the correspondence in his possession
relative to the arrest OF Gen, WALLER by Com
modore PAULDISo, and accompanied it with the
following message, which We reprint from tho
Washington Union: ..- ,1 .....0
MESSAGE.
In submitting TO the Senate the papers for
which they have called, Ideeih it proper to make
a few observations. tH..- 3. 4li..r-.
In caplui ing General Walker and his command
after they had landed on the soil of Nicaragua
Commodore Padlding has, in ny opinion, com
mitted a grave error. 1t is quite evident, how
ever, from the communications herewith trans
mtted, that this was done from pure and patri-
otc motives, and in the sincere conviction that
he was promoting the interest and indicating
the honor oths country. In regard TO Nicara-
qua, she has sustained no injury by the act of
Commodore Paulding. THIS has enured to her
benefit and relieved her from dreaded invsion.
She alone would have any right to complain OF
the violation OF her territory; and it is quite GER
tain she will never exercise this right. 1t un-
questionably does not lie in the mouth of her
invaders to complain in her name that she has
been rescued by Commodore Panlding from
their assaults. The error of this gallant officer
consists iRexceeding his instructions. and lau-
ding his sailors and marines in Nicaragua, wheth
er with or without her consent, for the purpose
ofmakng war upon any military force whatev-
er which he might find in the country, no matter
from whence they came. This power certainly
did not belong to him, Obedience to law and
conformity TO instructions are the best and sa-
u mill ;tnt
when they transcend these limits; and act upon
therown pers, nll responsibility evil consequen-
ces almost inevitably follow. ss -... ..s. 81
Under these circumstances when Marshal
Rynders presented himself at the State Depart
ment on the 29lh ult., with General Walker in
custody, the Secretary informed him that the
executive department Of the government did not
recognize Gen Walker as prisoner; that 1t had
no directions to give concerning him; and that it
is only through the action OF tile judiciary that
he could be lawfully held in custody to answer
anv charge that might be brought aSsinSt him.
In thus far disappearing the conduct ofCom-
modore Paulding, no inference must be drawn
that am less determined than have ever been
to execute the neutrality laws of the United
States. This is my imperative duty and Shall
continue to perform il by all the means which
the Constitution and the laws have placed in
! q
my power. -'''
NY opinion of the value and Importance Or
these laws corresponding entirely with. that OK
pressed b. Mr.. Monroe IN his nlessgae u Con-
greSs ofDecember Z, 1873. That wise, prudent
and patriotic statesman says: g Its ofthe high
| est importance to our national character aud
indispensable to the morality oil our chAens that
all violations of our neutrality should be preYeni
led. No door should be Jeff open for the eva
sion OF our laws, no opportunity afforded to
! any who may be disposed to take advantage Of
it to compromit the interest or the honor OF the
nation" .la.-.sss.t .qaa s .At ~t
The crime Of setting on foot or providing the
means for u military expedition within the Y.
s. to make war against foreign State with
which we are ut peace, is one OF an aggravated
and dangerous character, and early engaged the
Eattcntion of Congress. Whether the executive
government possessed any, or what power, un-
der the Constitution, independently ofCongreSs,
to prevent or punish this and similar offences
against the law of nations, was a subject which
engaged the attention OF our most eminent states
men in the time Of the ADMINISTRATION OF Gen.
Washington, and on the occasion Of the French
Revolution. The sctofGougress oithe 5th June,
1894, fortunately removed all the difficulties on
this question NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. existed The
5th and 18th section oil this aeti wlilsh relate 10
the present question, axe the same ip substance
with the 9th and 8th sections Of the acS OF April
Goth, 1918, and have now been in force ior pc
Rod OF more than sixty years .il g e9aaly s-
ple military expedition rendered criminal by
the ct,must have its origin, ,musL "5eSin" or be
set on foot, ,"in the United States; but the great
object of thc law was to Save fofetgli States with
whom we.at peace from the TaVages 'of these
lawess expedit ions proceeding from cur shores,
| i he seventh section alone. thereore, whieh SIM
ply defines the crime and its punishment, WouId
have been inade9 dale to ACCOMPLISH TINS purpose
4 and enforce our lnterhationai aetiesl In order
1 t, render-thc law eiiectual, lit Was necessary 10
preyeut = the carrying on of such leNpedltions
/ to their copsummation attertney had succeeded
in leaving our shore. ~
This has been done efIeetually, and in clear
land explictlanguage, hyithe authority giyen ,to
the President uudeE the 6ih ssction Ct. the ACT
to employ the land naval iorces OF the United
States "tor the purpose OF preventing the carfyi
ing on Of any such expedition or enterprise from
the territories jurisdiction ofthe United states
! against the territories or domain of any foreigf
prjnce or State,or oi any colony, dlstrctor peoj
pie with whom the United States are at peace
lh For these reasons, had Commodore Paulding
lral1 Walker and his command on board at an.
n period beoie 9 they entered the port Of San, Juan
Nicaragua, and conducted them back 10 Mobile
\ thts, would have prevented thct trdn carrying
H0ns the expedition, and have been not only
y iustifahIc, but a praiseworshy act. ejsasSa "a
5Tjy3rhe CRIME well deserves the severe punish
! ment inflicted upentit bysours laws, silEEiolate
1 Ethe principles sofChristianitY morality and hu
!, humanity held sacred BY allciyilzed nations
and lbyi none, more hanrby the people Of tn
United iStatess fDsgnise,it as we, mays such I
military expeditiunis an invitation. 70 rsekles
n and lawless incn TO enlist underIt banner 9
!, any adsenturef toreb, pllnder, end murder th
d JunoAendng citizens OF ofneighborlny States VIII,
!, have neyerIdone them hartp. Lisa Hsarptio
j Of the elwarmaking poweHa which belongs ialon
to Congress ;and the government itseh, at leas
n in the estimation OF the world, becomes an az
t complice in the commission oil this crime, ur
4 lessit adoptssall the means necessary TO preyer
\ land to punish it's III would be far, ,7betters an
rnereinl accordance with theli bold aud mani
Q character ofour cdnntrynen, for tue goyerpfnoI
g itself To getlup suchax than to procee
i under the command, Of irresponsible eadyeptuT
! Wecould them at least xersiss sspEne contr
"a ever our own agents. andy prevent them froi
+ burning down citiesand cDmnltting other ae
sfiofenormity OF whilhswe h4NeareAdseag VI n
4 Gal he ayowed,princ 10 which lies ett the found'
n ltion Of the law of nations isr contained IN Il
4 Divine Gornniands that IA things awhatsoey'
p Yel would tint men should tle to YOU doge eve
II soto theaaai Tried by this nperring rule, Nv
,fEshnnld bc severely condemned if Shall p,
H use our best exertioRs 10 arrest su0hexpeditiol
dal aganstsoslr eeblersister kapublicpf NicaFagti
y Ono thing is pery.eertain, hat people never o.