Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-02-23


the civilized world at large
BY reference to the annual message of the
President, it will be seen, that we have trouble
some questions, complications they are called,
to be settled, with no less than nine different
powers, ANY one Of which, may at any time
involve us in general war with the whole;-
and out OF some OF which war foLLt be manuiac-
tured, if it should be deemed necessary in the
next Presidential campaign, TO make an issue
IN order to retain that party in power.
But hope before they bring this calamity
upon the country, they will be admonishcd that
the party that will involve us in unnecessary
strife, is not the party that will be the most
likely to bring us out of it, with advantage and
honor to the nation.
1t appears from tho message of the President,
that we are involved in trouble with England
and of course with France, as the ally of Eng.
Iland,-Spnin, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica,
New Grenada, Guatemala, and Paraguay.
A nice little batch of quarres, truly, for this
great nation to work itself into. liza man is
found quarreling with every body he meets, the
world is very apt to pass sentence Of cnndem-
nation against him,-on the presumption that
one who involves himself in trouble with all, is
not likely to be himself wholly blameless;-this
is II natural Judgment to be pronounced, both
against an individual and nation;-and what
is it that has involved us in many diiticnlticss
1t is either the want of proper energy, or diSpO
sition on the part of our government, to dis
charge its duty faithfully TO the country, and 10
mankind; it is either culpable timidity in the
execution of the laws, or it is still more Grim
nal desire to acquire strength and popularity,
with peculior class of citizens, by ignoring all
laws and winking at its fragrant violation in
open day. lts the countenance that has been
given to the lawless spirit of filibuSteriSm-as
it is politely termed which is nothing more and
nothing less, than war of desperate lawlesS
men against the property, and the rights of the
r RHI1E
the prospect of private fortunes and success may
invite them.
How is it that one man has been permitted
to set the whole government at detiancc?-to
raise his troops charter his vesselS-ship his
men aud munitions OF war, and sail from the
ports of New York, New Orleans, and Mobile,
in defiance of the law, and all its officers, with
the proclamation of the Executive TO stop it
and when he is arrested by u naval officer, in
strict obedience 10 the spirit Of his orders, Cor
it was no more violation of the laws of neu-
trality to arrest him OH the territory OF Nicara-
qua than on the waters within the jurisdiction
of Nicaragua aud to which the letter Of his or
ders extended and when he is brought home
an offender against the laws of his country, he
is discharged, not only without punishment, hut
without reproach, and is turned loose only to
repeat his former offences.
Look at the case of Walker; he charters
vessel in New Orleans, sends 500 men with arms
almtst acknowledgedly, on filibuStering eXpe-
dition, against deicnce'ess people, with whom
we were on terms fpcace,-hc is then arrested,
and carried before federal judge, who released
him on $4,000 bail, which was promptly paid
by those who were acting in concert with him,
and sympathising in all his movements, he re
pairs on board, and sets sail from New Orleans,
for Nicaragua; the facts are communicated to
the head of the government, orders are issued
and sent out to the American squadron, not to
permit him to land-he is arrested immediately
oil landing,-he is enthomea an offender against
the laws of his country, -he is delivered to the
authorities in Washington, by the Marshal Of
this district,-and the President, upon whose
proclamation he has been arrested, ard who, in
his message TO Congress in 1867, rebukcd Judge
Caleb fer the inSutiiciency of bail required,
coolly informs the Marshal, through the Secre-
tary of State, that he has no use for Mr.. Walker,
and seems to treat it as very OificOus and i'm
pertineat thing in Marshal Rynders to trouble
them with Gen. Walkers affairs, who is further
discharged, with no bail at ALL ana turned loose
10 get up another expedition, that set sail from
Mobile in open day, on another piratical cruise,
which, by the interpositiOn of Divine Provi-
dence, was arrested, and the honor in some de-
gree, and perhaps the peace of the country saved
alone by the accidents of the sea, which befel
these marauding men.
Is it within the compass Of human credulity,
that such scenes MS have described, could have
happened, if there had been real, and honest
desire, as by paper proclamation would have
appeared, TO have executed fiithfuly the laws
that the President was sworn to suppOrg
If we can persuade ourselves thnt all is fair
and honest, can we hope to make the other pow
ers of the world believe il? Docs any man be-
lieve. that with the means at the disposal of the
government, the African slave trade can he sue
cessfully carried on, and two careoes of Africans
landed on our southern coast, if there was an
honest desire oprevent il?
Tho law is strong enough, why is it not en-
forcedi
Aye, there is the question Who are these
filli5usters and African slave dealers? 10 what
party do they belongg l am happy to say that
i have never heard OF memberof the whig or
American parties, to both of which belong,
who has given any countenance to these pro.
ceedings; they belong to the Southern democ.
racy, whose support, with that Of their friends,
is essential to the Perpetuation of democratic
ascendency. The moment one of any other par
ty becomes tillibuster, an African slave
trader, he seeks the company that suits him,
aud straightway joins the Democracy, or Impo-
stion party, where alone he can meet with sym
pathy.
How does our democratic President propose
to treat these questions of foreign difficulty ?
Look to his message and to his organ, "the
Union" and shudder while you read. He
makes the astounding proposition, which twen-