Washington sentinel., 1856-05-20
From the yicksburg Times.
TTUH tIS FICksDuIB IIWrs'
American Destiny, European Audscity,
and Pierce nj arcy Timtdity.

| On the nghtnings wing the SURFING news
| from Nicaragua has gone over the land, and
whilst emotions of JOY and pride thrill the great
American heart in the reliable intelligence Of
Walkers splendid victory, how must the Ameri-
can cheek burn with indignation and blush
with shame at the position in which the govern
ment of the United States now stands, by the
blunders and the crimes Of the Pierce and
Marcy cabal in their conduct towards the strug-
Cling young republic Of Nicaragua.
We are no "hllibusters," cherish no sym
pathes in common with any man or set of men
who would put the laws Of our country at def
ance, trample down our solemn treaty stipula-
tions and bring dishonor on this government;
but we are in favor, with all our hearts, of the
extension of the principles of civil and religious
liberty and of American. institutions every.
where; and we hold and believe it to be the
mission of this people to spread them over this
entire continent, and ultimately with the bless
ing of Heaven to be the grand instrument in
the political redemption of the world from the
bondage under which il has groaned for cen
turies. The "divine right" of kings is An idea
long ago exploded. With the light of intell-
gence that has been steadily growing wider
and wider, man more and more realizes the
dignity of his nature and the high prerogatives
of his estate. Dynasties hoary with the lapse
are mouldering into dust, and amid the stormy
elements that are convulsing the globe, 10 the
genius of liberty walks upon the waters and
whispers of the calm. The timid are encour-
aged; the oppressed are lifted up, and the light
| of a glorious morn, though yet feint as the
glmmering of the early dawn, promises to the
painting heart and anxious mind of freedoms
votaries meridian bright and golden. But
our object to-day is to call attention to the
condition of affairs in Central America and to
unfold the disgraceful chapter in American
history which ito the last syllable Of recorded
time" will proclaim the folly and hand down
the infamy of our present mbecile and das
tardly rulers
The history of Gen. Walkers position in
Nicaragua is familiar to the whole country
1t is known that with the consent and approba-
ton of people long cursed by tyranny and
misrule, he has succeeded in establishing
among them republican government and
through difficulties which hearts less bold
would never have confronted through opposi-
ton before which ordinary men would have
gone down; through contumely, slander, and
vilihcation, he hath so nobly borne himself,
as " to give the world assurance Of MAN."
Successful in the establishment of an indie
pendent government, with. our own republic
for his model, his American instincts turn him
first to ask its recognition by the government
| OF the United States-we need not dwell upon
the insults and the wrongs with which that ap-
| plication was received. Derided, denounced,
spurned like a guilty thing by the dynasty at
Washington that controls and degrades the
nation; repulsed by that government which
was bound by every obligation Of right and
honor; which was pledged by its traditions and
Its precedents to welcome with open arms and
warm hearts to the family of nations this
youngest BORN" which should have been
moved by every consideration of sound policy
to have " staid up" the hands of the gallant
chief, who long ago on the battle field, and be-
meath the American flag, had proved his love
OF country and his devotion to the principles
of liberty, he turned away from that capital on
which his eyes had been for long time fixed
and over which he hoped to see the signal fire
of recognition brightly burning for the young
republic he had aided in establishing.
And what have been the consequences of
the contemptuous refusal of the Pierce admin
istration to recognize the Nicaragua govern
ment.
But for that egregious blunder-nay, worse
than blunder, thousands of gallant spirits
would have long ago focked from the States
to the standard raised by Walker; "the sinews
of war" both money and munitions would have
been poured into that country from the gene.
rous hearts Of free America and proudly now
beyond danger or disaster, would have waved
in triumph the flag of Nicaragua, symbol of
regeneration in the whole of Central America
Instead of this glorious spectacle what do we
behold ? Nicaragua invaded by murderous
band of Costa Ricans, British squadron,
blockading its principal seaport, and the British
government encouraged by the blind and fater-
,.,.x t~f n. IT
ing aid and comfort to the enemies Of American
institutions in Central America
1t was not thus with our government when
Greece the land of Homer and Bozzaris boldly
struck for freedom and the clarion voice Of
Henry Clay, resoundng across the waters, in
spired with new courage the defendants Of
those who fell at Saamis and bled at Ma
rathon.
1t was not thus when Colombia unfurled
the flag Of liberty and Bolivar was hailed by
American statesmen Hero and Patriot.
|. IL was not thus when Texas threw off the
yoke of Mexico, and took her place among the
nations, that Andrew Jackson acted. Had he,
the lion-hearted, pursued the policy Of his de-
generate successor in the Presidential chair
the banner that waves over the Union would
have lost one Of the brightest stars that gitters
in the national constellation, and it may be
that Texas, like Nicaragua, would still be strug-
Cling with the myrmidons Of tyranny, and the
foes Of republicanism from Europe and on
this continent, which God designed for the
Anglo-Saxon race.
Contrasting this shameful action Of the pre-.
sent rulers with the proud and glorious course
Of preceding administrations, how humiatiug
are the reflections it suggests TO the American
mind how whitening to the American heart.
Well may we exclaim with Rome's first orator.
"0h the depravity Of the times, the corrup-
tibility Of morals"
Our only consolation can be found Ia the
fact, that out of evil sometimes good may
come, and that the indignation excited through
the Union by the events transpiring in Central
America, all clearly traceable to the present
administration, will startle the people to sense
of their duty TO themselves and their country,
and cause them to rise up in the majesty OF
their strength and burl from power the authors
Of all this mischief to liberty and its sacred
institutions.