Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-07
Congress-.

Inc telegraph commences in the middle of
Wednesdays doings in both Housest We trust
some measures may soon be taken by which our
Congressional telegraphic reports may come a
little more connected or they cannot De Of much
use to us. We give what came to us of the pro-
ceedings in the House, below.l
Mr.. Sickles of New York wished to nut on
record his dissent from some of the positions
assumed yesterday by gentlemen in debate,
If members had been in a House of Repre-
sentatives constituted by Gov Walker, they
could not have listened to sentiments more in
unison with the latter's theor of govern
ment, and more at war with onr own, than
they were compelled to listen to in this hail.
They were told that the neutrality act of 1918
was unconstitutional and against the princi-
pies of our people, but as he had read the
history of his country, he found that the poll
CIV of that act was handed down from the DAYS
of Washington, and embodied in our statutes
from that TO the present time, and it has never
been dissented from by any administration.
Had gentlemen forgotten that Mr.. Champion
was dismissed because he committed acts vio-
latiye of the neutrality law. He had supposed
the whole country sustained the wisdom and
hrmness Of the executive in the enforcement of
the constitutional policy of the government not
to permit our own citizens as representatives of
any foreign power, great or SMALL to Uompro-
mise the neutrality of the United States, with
regard to nations with whom we are at peace.
We have made treaties with various powers
with which we have entered into stipuations
based on this very statute. y ne recently with
New Grenada, and another, as rumor has it,
with Nicaragua. He was surprised to
hear it asserted that naval officers have
M sphf 70 Al. L.
to capture violators Of our laws, Had
gentlemen forgotten that our Government
Is in treaty stipulations to maintain
naval force for the purpose of exercising po-
lice over all seas, and to suppress the infa-
nous slave traffic. This policy has been re-
cognized by all administrations and all par
ties, and he never heard it questioned before
Connected with every snch expedition was
the question of extent 1t would be an of
fence against the good sense of the House to
add to the argument so signiicant-tha the
expedition fitted out by Walker was TO
make war and take lite and property with
III the limits of Nicaragua. with whom we had
just made a treaty of amity and friendship.
Immediately or the landing of the expedition
acts Of hostility were perperated. Men were
shot down and properly seized. Every wri-
ter on international law calls such conduct
robbery and murder No man would 90
further than he to recognize the right of
American citizens to emigrate to foreign
lands. If they wished peacefully to go to
Central America let them go. lie desired to
see the lsthmus Americanized, but such ex-
petitions as that of Walker and such CON
duct is not calculated to promote the interests
of our people with those Of Central America.
If the expedition was peaceful as Walker told
Secretary Cass it would be, then plowshares
were turned into swords, and pruning. hooks
into spears, with such quickness as to throw
suspicion on the sincerity of their professions.
The presumption always is in favor of the
conduct of the officer in the performance of
duty at a remote point, but this rule has been
reversed, and all the charges against Com
modore Paulding are asked to be taken
as admitted truths. He (SicklesJ did not
want Paulding's act 10 be regarded as a
precedent. There Is no question but that in
technical point of view his act was Illegal and
that he exceeded his instructions, but he un-
doubtedly acted in accordance with what he
believed was the spirit OF his Instructions
having reasonable belief that the govern
ment regarded Walkers expedition as unlaw-
full. Gentlemen must not forget that Gen.
Jackson passed into Spanish territory and
arrested certain persons, and hung them
on the nearest tree, but he was not
recalled in disgrace. The President is
fully alive to the interests of our people.
With the Central American Republic and the
Isthnus, the highway Of large portion of
the commerce of the world, he has shown
every disposition to further their interests by
the cultivation of fraternal relations with
these governments, with a view to American
ize sthem as far as he can, and to secure
to our people advantages desirable under
these circumstances Was it anything but
treason for men to organize lawless expedi-
tons and go there to make war on Republics
with whom we were at peace
Mr.. Bliss of Ohio said he wished to call at
tention to another subject which had deep
interest in the hearts Of his countrymen. He
did not mean the pirates and outlaws of cities,
but the masses VINO are interested in the per-
petuation of our institutions. He meant to
speak Of what is commonly known as the
bred Scott decision which the President has
endorOed, and to which the official acts Of the
government have been eonformed. He spoke
OF the Supreme Bench as occupied by ''sec-
tional, irresponsible, and pref udced body of
Judges, trusting to their responsibility to
overthrow the laws" He entered against this
decision his indignant protest.
Mr.. Haskins OF New York said that at the
proper time he would go as far as any one for
the suspension of the neutrality laws, but not
for the reasons alleged The act OF 1918 was
passed to meet such an exigency as this. And
it is a singular fact that in that very year Ar
buthnot and Ambrister were hung as high as
Haman. In his opinion their conduct was
not more reprehensible than Walkers. He
spoke of Com. Paulding's offence in compare
son with that of his ancestor, John Paulding.
who had no authority from the Continental
Congress for the arrest of Andre.
MIR. Cochran of New York wanted to know
whether offence against the law OF nations
runs in the family.
Mr.. Haskins repeated that Com. Paulding
had better right to be proud of his ancestry
than any of the kings of Europe of theirs.
No act under the Administration was more
worthy of commentator than his arrest of
Walker The thanks of Congress, and a
medal, were eminently his due. Mr.. Haskins
said that while he was opposed to individual
tillbustering, he was national fllibuster
He was a believer in the Monroe doctrine,
and wanted those of the Ostend manifesto
applied.
Mr.. Keitt of South Cerolina, wanted to
know whether he was in favor of nation
or an individual breaking faith.
Mr.. Haskins replied, that when the ma
ton was ready to take the responsibility Of
Selling Cuba, and suspending the neutrality
laws, he would 60 with that gentleman. The
feeling of the national Democrats is that they
have right to the island. They believe that
government should do certain things by con-
quest. But this business of Walker was
petty larceny.
Mr.. Stephens Of Georgia spoke in explana-