New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-11-27
yet soy which side has secured the most land
Each will probably invest its lsst dollar. No col
lision seems to be apprehended.

Gen. GOcuria seems not TO be the only person
who entertains the opinion that the revival Of s'av
cry and the re-legsization OF the slaTe-trade In
Nicaragua, is not the best means that could nave
been chosen TO recommend the new hllbusterng
empire to the favor and recognition Of the British
Government. Mr.. +. G.. Squier, whom we eH-
hibited to our readers some twelve months since
not altogether TO Mr. Squier's satisfaction as
undertaking to justify the llibuster occupation OF
Central America on philosophical principles Is eVi
IDENTIFY quite of the same opinion; and wishing 10 90
what he can TO counterfeit the mischievous effect OF
Walkers blunder, he attempts, bya letter printed
in the London Times, 10 throw hnudful oil dus'
into John Bulls eyes.
The facts of the case are Just these Among the
DEGREES of the Federal Government OF CentrA
America, al Of which were recognized as law IN
Nicaragua, was one abolishing Slavery and making
the slave.trade piracy. Walker. wiihiog TO revive
Slavery and the save.trade, but not wishing 10
shock the civilized word by an express decree to
that effect, revokes oil the DEGREES of the Central
American Government, and of course among the
rest that against Slavery and the saTetrade, which
by virtue of this repeal are reinstated in their an
Client condition of legality. Such, by the unani-
nous consent Of everybody whether friends or foes
Of Walker, Mr.. Squier alone excepted, was the
manifest intention and viii be the legal operation
of Walkers decree But Mr.. Squier, evidently
fearing that this revival of Slavery and the slave.
trade will produce an effect in Europe. not alto
getber in consonance with the views he has taken
so much pains to promulgate as to the benefits TO
be conferred on Nicaragua through the medium OF
fillibuster conquest, undertakes boldly to deny
that Walkers decree either was intended or vii
operate to relegalize Slavery and the sla7e-trade
He sustans this view by two arguments. One is
that Walkers decree expressly recognizes all the
rights which have accrued or are vested under the
acts of the Central American Government which he
repeals. But the utmost effect Of this recognition
would be merely to prevent the resutjectlon to
Slavery Of those particular persons who had been
set free By the operation of those acts. 1t obv-
ously could have no bearing on the condition Of
persons introduced as slaves subsequently to
Walkers repeating decree. TIE other argument
is, that since Slavery "can only exist in virtue OF
positive law" the revival of Slavery and the slave
trade needs positive law to stand upon; and, as
Walker has promulgated no such positive law,
therefore Slavery and the slsve-tfade are not re-
legalized.
No doubt it is an English idea tina! Slavery is
contrary to natural right, and that it can only rest
on positive law; and to an English public, not look
ing beyond England, there might seem some plausi
bility in Mr.. Squier's argument. But the English
common law is not in force in Nicaragua. The only
law there just now is the will and pleasure Of
William Walker, and certainly there is nothing in
that persons career to lead US to infer that b. re-
CARDS Slavery as contrary to natural right. Con-
sidering his antecedents he may rather be supposed
to entertain the opinion just now 80 current at the
South, that Slavery is the natural condition of the
laboripg man, and the only solid foundation Of the
social fabric. Besides, if positive law is needed
there is the old Spanish law upon which Slavery
formerly rested, and which, according 20 received
legal principles. by virtue Of Walkers repeating
decree comes again into force. II Walker had in
tended that, notwth, landing his repealiog decree
Slavery and the slaye.trade should continue ,bol-
ished, it is to be supposed he would have said SO;
as be does not say so the conclusion is that he
meant TO revive both.
How little doubt as TO Walkers intentions !, en-
tertained at the South, and by those who are or
have been residents in Nicaragua, Will be apparent
to those who read curious letter which We give ia
another column, published originally in Tie Charles
ton Meroury from which We borrow It. In this
letter Walker is held up as the only friend whom
the Shareholders have in the worli, and they are
warmly called upon, on the strength of this decree
of his reyiyiDg Slavery, TO Continue literally 20
sustain him with men and money. There is one
other noticeable thing about this letter While
most fattering picture is drawn Of the fertility aud
hea,hness of all the rest If Nicaragua, Il 10 ad-
mitted that Granada lie pestileniial place differing
from the rest of Nicaragua, - as Norfolk did last
year from the rest of Virginia. and situated, be-
sides in mseIaby barren, uncultiyated region"
And yet this very Granada is the sole spot Of all
Nicaragua that remains at present il Walkers pos.
session.
The ease with which unfit and dishonest Il 60 70
II.