Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-09
THE UNITED STATES AND NICARAGUA

correspondents positively affirm that the Cabinet are
debating the propriey aud policy of receiving him in
his official character. This act would he eouiyulsnt
to recognition OF the Walker-Rivas government.
and would commit the United States 10 responsibility
ties which may prec'pt"te the country into unfore-
seen and very burdensnine embarrassments We be-. |
iieve the President will decline TO expos the govern.
ment tn the hazards which it will inevitably incur
by contracting diplomatic relations with the Filibus-
tcrs of Nicaragua.
The foreign policy of this Administration has
been distinguished by respectful obseryauc.
Of the faith of treaties and the obligations Of
public law. Prompt and energetic in protect
IL the dignity OF the country and the rights Of
American citizuns, the government has vet afford.
ell no pretex OF offence to other powers On the con.
trary, by happy combination of vigor and con.er-
vutism, it has commanded the respect Of foreign MI
tons, as we'll as the alm0s: unanimous appIauss of
the American people. Unless then We are TO assume
that the Administration will abandon the policy TO
which it has so persstenty adhered, and deliberately
forfeit its conservative character we must reject the
idea that the President proposes to accept Walkers
overtures Of alliance II has not been many months
since MIR. Marcy refused TO receive the commission
of another Ncaraguan agent, for reasons of an OK.
clusiyey public import. Nothing has occurred mean-
while TO reinforce Walkers claim to the recognition
of the American government. Indeed his nscendun-
cy is less secure aud his chances Of ultimate success
far less sttcring than when he was first rrpused from
Washington.
tis questionable it, under the law of nations, the
United States would be iustiui in recognizing Walk.
was undenlaby an aggressive invasion Of country
at peace with this government. It is affirmed in init
,ation of the outrage that he simply responded to
cry for succor from the people of Nicaragua Eut
there is proof OF the aes CATION. The Nicara:uan 90.
verninen WAS not desp)tisni onrhs contrary, il was
VIGOROUSLY the most liberal Of all the Central Amcri
can Powers. 1t was Republic and was even more
Democratic in It's constitution thun the government of
the United States. OF all thu Central American States
it the which the United States were closest
bound by similarity Of institutions and the positive
engagements OF treaty 1t may be true that Walker
invited to Nicaragua by the party out of power,
| who wanted his assistance in usuruins control of tie
government but such fact would nc more eatenu
ate the crminality Of his expedition, than it would
Justify an invasion Of Canada from this country at
the instance ol macontent and seditious minority.
! Yet, though the United States might lawfully re-
cognise the Government, which welds temporary
sway Nicaragua, such step should not be ta-
ken at the hazard OF with nations, whose friend
ship OF infinitely more consequences to this coun.
try than any alliance with band of f.ibusters Al!
ready are their relations with Great Britain danger
ously complicated. Tue discussion of their relative
rights in Central America has almost precpated the
two countries into nn open rupture Of friendly inter.
course. Shall We still further embarras. the Difficult
,y. and inttame All angry dispute by Introducing ano
ther conflicting claim into the controversy Great
Britain and the United States have bound themselves
by a mutual pledge, to abstain from any direct OF
indirect" Interference in the political relations Of
! Central America. We npeaci Great Britain OF
violations of this stipulation, AMI have denandei re-
paraon for tbs breach o.! Il solemn engagement III
treaty. With what consistency or effect cnn we urge
obedience All obligation, nftcr it s repuiiatrd by
ourselves7 Every mind of the least sayacity must
foresee that the recognition of the existing govern
meut in Nicaragua will involve the United States in
hostilities with Great Britain. The filibuser i'm
pulses Of the country will not be satisfied with the
simple recognition Of the legitimacy and stability Of
Walkers ascendancy in Nicaragua, but will denard
Of this government to support him in bic c;Gaoous
schemes Of ambition. IN an cv-siCn of Mexico he
would be equally entitled 10 our sympathy md if the
Government. once abandon its conservative policy,
who can predict to what perilous cxtremities j; may
be drvcn' The only just aud sE;e policy for the
country is to adhere will: lcrupuluus fidelity to
ventonal engagements, ard the obligations of inter
national lag.
/, The fbusters OF Nicaragua are nat more entitled
to popular sympathy, than 10 formal recognition by
the Government Their enterprise originated in Gn
impulse OF wicked ambition and lawle,s rapn" and
has resulted in the overthrow OF the only truly De-
mecralic Government in Central America BY what
acts of page and cod-blooded murder this success
was achieved, need not recite while the story Of
Walkers exploits is fresh in the public mind. He has
enforced n reluctant submission to his sway by cruel
ties which paralyse the arm Of resistance. And what
sort of Government has he established the rG;ns
of sister Republic! Pretending tc te t..e n:iSsiona
ry of freedom he Illustrated The sincerity Of his pro-
fessiors ly ctcnlng all power in his single grasp,
and subiugating the people under tho terrorism of
martial law. Private property is conscated to hush
the oiamor of his conederates and to promote his plans
Of violence and conquest There is no law but his
arbitrary will, and no tribunal but the drum-head
court Neither liberyof speech action is tolerated
within the limits of his authority and that truth may
NOT impair the foundation of bic rcSer, he sends
battalion of soldiers &c seize the only press that
is not insured W the breath of his mouth The
Sultan ui turkey is not SO absolute despot as Walk
er and the Emperor Of Austria does not reign by So
severe military repression. And yet the people OF
the limited States are told that he is apostle o.
liberty; and are Invited TO contribute to the hEgran-
disemeut of his power! The appeal might awaken II
more sympathetic response, ii Walkers army was re-
cruited from nmou;. the respectable people of this
country. 4 Land OF adyenlurers and vagabonds
gathered from every quarter of the eGrth and intent
only on criminal desgne VIC oan neither weep at
their mafortuEes nor oxut over their success.
The attempt to propitiate sympathy for Walker in
the South by representing him as the propaganda
Of slavery, cannot possibly succeed. The hereditary
conservatism of the South will yield to 70 ouch mp
peal We do not seek to extend clT institutions by
violence, but in leg;n,ata way and by the opera
tiou of natursl growth. We do not wish 10 identify
orr cause 7yth rapne, to associate our interests
with tie success Of tilibusierism. In S49 the SoNth
resisted far more imposing attempt TO divert :rom
its ancient policy. The revolution is hungary was
iustiable by every principle ,has can legalize revolt
was consolidated irt2 stable government, and tr-
umphauty s:.s;G;ned against a the power of the Aus
,risn Empire Yet the United State, refused TO
coguise the independence Of Hungary and az o..
t.npt to break off amicable relations with Austria
was defeated by the conservative Influence Of the
South. The conservative influence of the South is
again opposed to q policy which conflicts with the
principles Of Sutc law, and threatens to involve the
county in serious enbarrassments.
STOCKTON A BLACK-REPUBLICAN.
A man without brains, is very uncertain animal.
Commodore Stockton is proverbiay deficient in era.