The true Democrat., 1856-05-06
General William Walker.

We perceive in many of our exchanges, within the last few days, an extract from late number of Backwood's Edinburgh Maga- zine, on Nicaragua, in which it is stated that General Walker, whose position in its affairs has drawn all eyes upon him, is about forty years of age, and Is a native of Alabama, and giving some details as to his early life and edu- cation, which are sometimes correct and some- times otherwise.
 The writer of this article has known William Walker from his childhood, and has it, there fore, within his power to correct several errors which prevail with regard to him. In the first place, then, he is native of the city Of Nash vile, Tenn, his father being of Scotch birth, coming we believe, from Glasgow or its vicinity; his mother who was sister of J ohn NOrvelI, at one period a Senator in Congress from Mi chig gan being a native of Kentucky. William the eldest of their children, is about thirty three or four years of age, is of rather diminu- tive stature with witish hair fair complexion, much stained on the cheeks and about the eyes with freckles, grey eyes, and a couutenance on the whole, rather tame and unprepossessng His voice is low, and decidedly nasal, being what the children often call sing song; his man. ners are uncommonly quiet and reserved, if not awkward; but when in company with inti- mate friends, or when interested in any subject he wakes up and his whole appearance greatly changes.
 At school and college Walker was most taci- turn and studious. He was particularly prof. cient in mathematics and the exact sciences, and on his graduation at the University of | Nashville, he went to Edinburgh, where he went through the school of medicine, and afterwards attended lectures on that science at 1 Paris and then travelled over a considerable portion of middle and southern Europe. On his return to Nashville he found that neither his health nor his temperament fitted him for the life of physician, and he came to this city l with the intention of studying law and obtain l ing admittance to the bar. He pursued his studies for some time, and was admitted to i practice, but never, we think, made any very strenuous attempt to advance in the profession. | Shortly afterwards he became connectet with the Crescent, and devoted himself with great | earnestheso and zeal to editorial labors. The | experiment did not, however, prove so fortu- nate as he had expected, and he therefore gave 1 it up, and followed the example of many other ! adventurous and ambitious spirits, by going to California. In that State he was also for a while connected with the press, and at the ! period of the descent upon Sonora, which he male with a mere handful of followers, he was | II We nave uOl Dtcl ms ttllOIlleN, d9utl JiN | ing his luck at the bar However ill-advised and unfortunate that adventure may be regard ell by many, all will agree that so far as its his- tory has transpirel, Walker displayed idomta- be nerve and heroism ill the midst of the stern- est difficulties.
 Under his calm and reserved exterior, Walk CT conceals the rarest determination and the most untlinchng personal courage. He is, we are inclined to think, slightly flnatica in his views, when interested 0rresolved upon d mat ter, and probably never thinks of concessions to any person, or under any circumstances. He is also strictly just and impartial in his course, and little given to making distinctions in his treatment of those who offend against dis ciplue. Iii proof of this, we heard the other day from most reliable source that his own brother, who hel commission, having been guilty of an imprudence which disqualified him for duty at the moment, he ordered that he should be reduced to the ranks and his com mission forfeited, nor would he recede from this position, although strongly urged to cle. mency hy many of his leading and most trust ed officers.
 The most serious error which Walker has committed since he landed in Nicaragua. and one which has unquestionably compromised him to a considerable degree in the eyes of many who are willing aud deSrous to aid in any steps which have for their object the set clement of affairs in Central America in such manner as will tend to the establishment of order, and the prevention of European intrigue against the interests of this country has been the very objectionable character of several in. dividuals upon whom he has conferred respon- sible and conspicuous positions. There was no excuse, for instance, for sending such a man as Parker H. French as minister to this coun- try, nor conferring high military rank upon Schlessinger. He is now, however, happily rid of both, and among the many brave ard intel ligent men who are docking to join his stand ard, he will no doubt find better material of which to make both colones and plenipoten. tiaries. That he will maintain his position against the motley host of mongrel natives and adventurous Europeans with whom he will have to contend, there can be no reasonable doubt. His great danger would be from an invasion by French or English forces, but tha, can scarcely occur before he will be also ore. pared to resist it by the large accession oI strength which he will receive by immigration from this country.--New Orleans Courier.