Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-05-31
SOUTHERN SENTINEL.
ALKER

We find in the New York Herald the follow
ing address of General Walker to his army at
Rivas, after the route Of Schlessinger. The
sentiments it puts forth will be appreciated
by all who read it, and is well calculated
by its bold, manly tone to awaken the enthu-
siasm Of his soldiers, and to excite sympathy
in the minds of all. We commend it to our
readers:
ADDRESS OF GENERAL WALKER TO HIS TROOPS
AT RtvAs, MARCH 81, 1856.
Soldiers! We are engaged in no ordinary
war. A powerful combination surrounds US
on every side. A hatred to our race has united
adverse States, and reconciled the most hostile
and repuguant factions. The object of this
league is to expeI US from the land with which
we have identified our lives; but through your
1ortitude and courage the effort is destined to
defeat. Invited to this country when it was
torn BY civil strife, and SO exhausted by long
dissension that it had no vigor left to reconsti-
tute Itself, we undertook the task of it's redemp-
ton and protection from the encroaching
grasp Of servilism. In defiance of all obstacles
and ofarmed opposition, and regardless ofevery
Encouragement in the way of odds, we pursued
our purpose, and it is known to you at what
sacrifices we have succeeded. The forces of
the aristocratic party which threatened to over
whelm the liberties of the State. were checked
and overthrown; the constitutional guarantees
Of free Government were established. and a
system of order so vigorous and comprehensive
put IN operation, that not even the most daring
treachery or extended conspiracies have been
able to distub it. For six months a profound
peace has been maintained; prosperity has
blessed the country; private rights, whether of
friend or foe, have been respected, and the laws
so justly and equally administered that no man
can llt his voice aHd charge against US q single
act of injustice.
Notwithstanding MISUNDERSTANDING all
the sacrifices we have made, all the dangers
we have encountered, all the suffering we have
endured~-sacrifces not only of our blood in
battle, but of our lives to the pestilenee-bear
witness the graveyard at Granada !-are we
to De driven from this country merely because
we are not born upon the soil?
No,s Soldiers! The destiny of this region
and the interests of humanity are conided to
our care. We have come here as the advance
guard of civilization, and [ know your hearts
respond to mine when | declare that sooner
than retire before accomplishing our DUTY, we
will spill the last drop of our blood and perish
10 the last man.
Soldiers, the task that is confded to us is an !
arduous one. 1t is full of self-denial, risk, and
suffering, but it is at the same time full of pro-
mise. 1t spreads beyond the limits of ordinary
vision, and compartments the fate not only Of
Nicaragua, but perhaps the redemption and
proper civilization of Spanish America.
Soldiers, this task. as | have said, is an ardu- |
ons one. Obstacles are yet to be encountered
and difficulties overcome that may try our
tortitnde and courage by sterner tests than any
We have yet experienced. We must content
ourselves, too, in performing it alone. Though
we should have been encouraged by those who
claim to be enlisted in the cause of progress,
we have not thus far had one voice TO cheer Us
from the surrounding nations, while that to
which we turned at the ontset, with an almost
fHial yearnIng, stands eoldly by. But The no.
bier for US it W win uHaided. The conscious
ness Of our mission is all The encouragement
We require, and there is no man here so base
as TO wish to retire FROM the task, and leave his
share Of it undone.
Soldiers, in view of the great trusts confided
to yop, ! need not impress upon you the i'm
portanre Of vigilance and order. TO the Off
GERS and men alike ! look for that obedience
and discipline which are the chief requisites of
soldiers: aud with these qualities, and the help
OF that Power who never deserts the brave and
just, victory and honor will be our sure reward