The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-22

For several weeks past, and while General
Walker was obtaining marvellous victories over
the Central American troops that were allied
against him, and thereby establishing his sway
in Nicaragua on an apparently solid basis, the
newspapers in these Northern States have been
publishing statements made by general aud
other officers, who had been in his service.
These statements were for the most part adverse
to him and intended to prejudice his interesta
1t has been represented that in his course in Nj
caragua he has been animated principally by
desire to propitate the sympathies and secure the
support Of the Southern portion Of this confede-
racy, and that it was in that view he aanuled
the decree prohibiting the existence Of slavery in
Nicaragua. Those representations are not borne
out by facts We have reliable information that
General Walker has not been operating with the
views thus attributed to him. but that he has had
before his mind totally different and more COM
prehensive course Of policy. We publish this
morning several communications which may
serve to throw light upon this matter
The scheme on which Walker has kept his eye
steadily fixed from the first day on which he en-
tered Nicaragua has been TO re-organize tina. and
the other little republics of Central America aud
to form Of them and Mexico a federal Southern
republic, which would act as a counterpoise
to the influence Of the United States. 1t
was grand and highly polite scheme. He
calculated thereby, and very reasonably, too, to
conciliate France and England and to enlist their
governments in his support That he has not
been unsuccessful in this plan is evidenced by
the good relations and kindly feelings that have
existed between him and the officers of the Eng
lish man-of-war lying in San JUAN to whom he
had perhaps communicated his views.
1t was in furtberance Of that distinct line Of
policy that he commissioned General Goicouria as
Minister to England. This gentleman, however,
who has gained much distinction as an energetic
and influential member Of the Cuban Junta in
this city, does not seem to have completely un-
derstood or appreciated Walkers ideas. He had
gone to Nicaragua and attached himself to the
fortunes Of the revolution there with the princi-
pal object in view Of making that movement
auxiliary and subseryient to his own plan of over
throwing Spanish domination in the island of
Cuba. Mr.. Oaksmith and others, who had also
joined Walkers standard had done 80 with the
same object in view. But the course Of policy
which Walker had chalked out for himself had
no reference whatever to Cuba. 1t was alto
gether outside of his programme. That was a
distinct matter into which he had neither the in
clnation nor the leisure to obtrude himself. He
left it to the Cuban filibusteros to settle Tor
themselves; and for his part he had an eye single
10 the organization of great Southern republic
Accordingly, when Messrs Goicouria and Oak
smith and others manifested their real objects
and sentiments, he found out that he could not
rely upon them, and therefore superseded them in
their respective functions as Ministers to England
and the United States Hence some Of the COM
munications that have been published rejecting
on Walkers honesty and ability.
Mr.. soule, however, seems to have fully apprc
ciated and chimed in with General Walkers idea
He saw that to this scheme alone could the SYM
pathies and support Of the English and French
governments be secured He is now in the United
States engaged in forwarding Walkers views,
and in raising supplies Of men and money to
enable him to hold his ground and establish his
government on firm and permanent basis. IN
der the incoming administration he will probably
find no obstacle to carrying forwards grand plan
Of military colonization in Nicaragua. There is
nothing in our neutrality laws to prevent this.
The expeditions which may be sent out from here
cannot legally be interfered with. They will no.
have been got up for the purpose of making war
upon a nation with which we are at peace, bat
simply as volunteer emigrant companies. In
this light, and with the inducements which
Walker can hold out, there can he
no limit set TO the number of men who can be
placed at his disposal Butsay that he can with
in six or twelve months hence calculate on an
army OF ten thousand men, what obstacle could
be then intcrposed to the realization Of his pro
ject Of great Southern republic2 The feeble
governments Of Mexico and Of the Central
American republics could offer but little resis-
tancc to his progress. France and England, sec
ing in IL the best means Of counterbalancing the
influence Of the United States and re-organizing
Central American society would rather aid and
abet him than otherwise, and as for our govern
ment il could have no excuse for interfering with
the movement Looking at it, then, in this
point Of view, Walker vision Of empire seems any
thing but chimerical. II is quite realizable and
the chances in its favor are evidently greater
than those against it.
AS to Walkers edict, annulling, among other
old LAWS. the decree aboishing slavery, 1t was
not issued in the interest Of the Southern States
Of this republic as has been represented. Il was
rather issucd in the interest Of the social pro-
gress and development Of Nicaragua. Previous
to the revolutions in which these Central Ameri-
can republics threw of their dependence on Spain,
slavery existed there in virtue Of the common law.
Its existence depended not on constitutional pro
visions nor on written law, but simplyon common
usage and the natural law. Bat when the rcvo-
luton was successful, its leaders, acting undr
the influence and exaggerated ideas Of the Old