The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-08-13
Inaugural Address Of Pesident
Walker.

It has already been mentioned that
General Walker, recently elected Presi-
dent of Nicaragua, (receiving over H.
600 out of 2 900 votes polled,) had been
duly installed into Office. The follow
ing extracts from his inaugural address
will be read with interest
The 18th of September, 1921, was the
opening of the revolutionary epoch of
Nicaragua. I hope this day may be its
close. The struggles of thirty-fve years
have, it is to be hoped, taught the peo-
pie that liberty is not to obtained amidst
the petty feuds of ~contGnding chieftains,
and that prosperity does not result from
a constant State of civil broils and in
testine connections. After a long series
Of bloody conflicts, the Republic has
need of internal peace and quiet for the
development of it's varied resources. 1
sincerely trust that all good citizens will
assist me in the maintenance of that Or
der which is the first requisite of a well
governed State, and without which ali
national development or individual wei
fare is impossible.
Not only is internal order required
for the Advancement of material wealth
and prosperity, but also for the proper
defence of the Republic from the exter-
nal enemies which threatened it's repose.
The other four States of Central Amer
lea, without reason and without justice,
have undertaken to interfere in the do
mcstic affairs of Nicaragua. Conscious
of teeir own weakness, and fearful lest
the prosperity of Nicaragua should de-
tract from their wealth, these neighbor-
ing States are ~enviously e~ndeavoring to
interrupt our progress by force Of arms.
The imbecile rulers of these States, too,
feeling that they have failed to perform
their duties to the people they under
take to govern, dread lest their impov-
erished countrymen may finally fly for
refuge to those who have redeem ed Mic
aragua from anarchy and ruin. Moved
by such iguoble sentiments, these miser-
able relics of a once powerful aristocra-
cy are striving to impede the march of
events in this Republic. But the i'm
potence of their efforts is beginning to
be made manifest to themselves and to
the world and they are now appearing
as blind instruments in the hand of an
Allwise Providence, which, out of the
bad passions and unworthy motives OF
men, educes good and improvement.
In our relations with the more power
full nations of the world I hope they may
be led to perceive that although Nicara-
qua may be comparatively weak, she Is
yet jealous of her honor, and determined
to maintain the dignity of her indepo1.-
dent sovereignty. Her geographical po-
sition and commercial advantages may
attract the cupidity of other govern
ments, either neighboriug or distant
but trust they may yet learn that Mic.
aragua claims to control her own desti
ny, and does not require other national
tiles to make treaties concerning her ter
ritory without asking her advice or con
sent. While pursuing g course of strict
justice toward foreign citizens and for
eign governments, we only ask that thu
same equity may be granted to our
selves.
The principles which shall guide mt
in the administration both Of The foreig,
! and domestic affairs Of the government
are few and simple. no allow the ut
most liberty Of speech and action com
patible with order aud good government
shall be the leading idea of my politica
conduct. Therefore, the greatest posi-
bic freedom of trade will be established
with the view o~fmakiug Nicaragua wha
nature intended her to bc-the highwa,
for commerce between two oceans. An
with this freedom of trade will come tn
ar S of civilization which grows and in
creases by the wants and necessities it
self creates. While facilitating as ia
as poss BILE the material deve!opme
of the State, 1 shall not be unmindfu
of its intellectual and moral require
ments. To promote the proper educa
ton of the people, and to encourag
!, them in the practices of that divine re
ligion which constitutes the dasign ola
modern civilization, shall be objects 0
primary Importance. And for carryin!
out these intentions with success l hun
5 bly, invoke the aid of Him, Without who's
assistance all human exertions are bu
as bubbles on a stormy sea.