Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-04-09
TIE CENTRAL AMERICAN WAR.

Simultaneously with the news of Peace to
the Crfnea comes that of War in Central
America, and the former was not more import
ant to Europe than the latter must be to the
American hemisphere. The government of
Costa Rica, which is the contiguous State to
Nicaragua on the south, refused to receive
Col. Schlessinger, the commissioner from Gen.
Walker, escorted him out of the country, and
declared war against Nicaragua. With great
decision Gen. W. put his forces in the field,
now amounting to about 1000 men, and was at
Virgin Bay the very evening the declaration
of war was announced. Costa Rica has about
800 regular troops and militia of some 5000.
A writer in BiackWood says portion of the
troops are armed with Mimic rifles, there is
good provision of artillery, and numbers of
Germans In the country, many of them in the
employment ofthe Government, to whom it is
stated to be indebted for an efectiye state of
military preparation. We hear, too, by tho
steamer Illinois, that the British frigate Pres
ident, which had come down the coast with
silver to Panama, Immediately upon fer arri-
val at that port, hastened back to Punta Arenas
the seaport of Costa Rica on the Pacific, in or
der to defend the country against an incursion
of Walker, which was expected by the author
tiles. A French frigate was at the same port
with the purpose of acting with the British
force against Walker; besides which the Brit
ish war steamer Eurydice was at San Juan on
the 25th ult. Will Walker be successful is
now the question. He has tried to maintain
pacific relations with his neighbors and having
been invited to Nicaragua by the Democratic
party there, he is no fiilibuster, and Costa Rica
has declared war upon him. The news of this
outbreak will soon summon thousands to his
aid from California and New Orleans, like the
cross of fire among the clans of the Highlands;
those States which have refused the olive
branch will be overthrown by the sword, and
Central American Confederation will be es-
tablished, where the Anglo-Saxen element will
be dominant. +lia'
We observe that Major HcIss has reached
the American Minister, Mr.. Wheeler with des-
patches from our government, and all who
know Major L., and are aware of his deep
sympathy with Walker, will argue that he car
ried something encouraging to him. An en-
voy, with pacific assurances from San Salvador
had reached him also. Under these circum-
N.
successful, unless France and England should
interfere with him. And if they do, the cause
of Nicaragua will become the quarrel of the
United States, for the maintenance of the Mon
roe doctrine of fnon-intervention by European
nations in the affairs of this continent. It is
necessary for our security that the Isthmian
States should be in friendly hands. the tran
sit to California and our Pacific territories may
be cut off, Should Walker fail, our commerce
viii be at the mercy of the Indians and mixed
races, who have SO long made that fair portion
of earth disgraceful anarchy. This cannot
be permitted, and as natural consequence,
the destiny of Walker, the ss,nanifest destiny''
of Central America, and the safety of our ter
rItoral connections, are all unavoidably inter
ngled-Phil'a. Sun.