New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-04-18
FROM W.4SHINGTON.
JOHN BELL-NICARAGCA.


From Our Own Correspondent.
WAsBINGToS Wednesday, April 10, le56.
The story which some newspaper has put in cir
culatop. that John Bel OF Tennessee Is about to
retire from the Senate account of Ill health Is
wholly uniounded. and must have originated IN
misapprehension. He is as robust and hale to-day
as wien he bearded and conquered the old lion
Andrew Jackson-in his den, and as resolute aud
r. ad, for service as when single banded, he bravely
encountered the whole South upon the Nebraska
bill. and carried terror into their ranks. vi that
Tlustrious band Of statesmen who for so long
period impressed thtir influence upon pubic AFFAIRS
ha ia one Of the surviving few and, unlike some oil
those who have passed away, he retains the conn
derce Of the country and the highest respect of all
parties Integrity of character and Pa'rlo'c
n.r,ose, which never shrank from any discharge oil
duty. however irksome or little commended 70 pop
ularty have secured him place IN the PuolI'
regard which no political changes can distG.o'
The wisdom and experience of man SO eminent
and pure are of no ordinary value at THIS time,
when the country s cOnvulsed with the wars OF
faction ard the spirit of sub ueaton is abroad,
threatening to overshadow q new land of promise.
Let us hope they will be long exercised In the
Senate or in some higher capacity, where the
country may equally enjoy their advantage.
Washington is all agog with the news OF
Walkers defeat in Costa Rica, and speculation Is
already rife as to its effect upon the destiny OF
Central America. The Government is in possession
of no other intelligence than the general facfS an-
noupced by telegraph, and they are not very spe-
cific or satisfactory. This result, stould it be con,
frued is not surprising. Wake s numerical force
l.. L.. oh 10 han hos boo Ia1
believe, and his reliance was based rather upon the
weakness OF the enemy than upon his own real
strength. ,....
Palma have been taken on several occasions
within tine last three months in this correspond
ence 10 correct the exaggerated ana partial STATE
,n.nts ,,Licb b,ve come up from Nicaragua, and
which were intepde,, to deceive the ignorant and
unwarv. Secure as WalhSr supposed himself 10
be, from external observation, IL Is wen Known
that spies were III his camp, and Cost hio" vac
fully informed Of the extent and resources Oh 10
army, before Col. Schesinger, the Envoy who
was deputed TO negotiate, or rather to demand,
conditional alliance, was unceremonously re-
pulsed.
II remains to be seen whether Costa Rca re-
ceved assistance from the French and British
ships DIVA which conveniently appeared not long
sg0 and significantly minated by their presence
that they might not remain altogether passive
day on this point will be found to have more mean
ing than superficial examination would seem to
indicate.
Walker has maintained himself up to this re-
verse by extraordinary energy and in defiance OF
adverse circumstances Poverty OF resources,
smallness of numbers, inferior supplies and limited
credit were all disregarded in the charm which
constant success inspired. no, Hss nc wan1 ~
which be attracted adyenturers. and swayed them
when under his command. 1t is now broken, and
with il will fall all the hopes which were inspired
ANY defeat will lead to such an exposure As will
deter further accessiOns, and terminate the career
which opened in Central America under peculiar
auspices and riyeteJ for time the attention OF
the world. The fate which attended his expe-
dition to Lower California will now probably be
repeated should he escape. II taken, C0rrals
cruel doom may be retaated.
There are those who will rejoice over the de-
feat Of Walker, and none more sincerely than Mr.
Vanderbilt and the stockholders Of the Transit
Company. If confirmed it will solve their diff.
Guilty practically and in a manner which the good
Offices Of this Government, even If eXerted, never
could have accomplished. In some degree 1t may
serve too, to aid an adjustment Of the Cen
trail American question, which was embarrassed
yexa'ioufly by Walkers plans and presence.
And in another aspect it will be- 10 little relief to
the Administration, which could not recognize
ard would not interpose against his so-called Gov
erument.
II will be difficult TO collect the material for
another expedition, even if Walker should not fall
into the clutches Of bis bitter and blOOdthirsty enc.
mics. Defeat disheartens the reckless, aud will
dish rIn thousands who were preparing to sees an
RI Dorado il Costa Rica Their eager eyes Will
be turned In some other direction and toward
s.me other booty. INDEX.