The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-26

4
better day is dawning upon US
| Interesting from Nicaragua-rhe Elements
OF our Inuian Empire.
We yesterday published the very interesting
report of Gen. Henningsen of the destruction of
| the city Of Granada and his retreat from there,
| together with the protests of Mr.. Harris and Mr.
| Hutchinson in relation to the seizure of the
steamers on the San Juan river, and full particu-
lars OF the news by the James Adger, from San
Juan del Norte. To-day we publish several
statements made by passengers who came through
from San Juan del Sur, and very important
narrative by Capt. Kruger, who commanded
Walkers picket at Fort San Carlos, which was
taken by the Costa Ricans.
The story of Kruger, giving as it does the ad-
missions of Spencer who was the soul Of the Gu
terpiise against the Transit steamers, that he
acted as the agent of Commodore Vanderbilt
and in accordance with his orders in this matter,
proves the truth of the view the HERALD has
taken OF this contest in Central America from
the first 1t is in fact a contest between the old
and the new Transit Companies, and the soul
and centre Of both parties to the struggle is in
New York. The part that the Central Ameri-
cans are really playing is quite subordinate
one The increasing tide of trade and travel be-
tween our Atlantic aad Pacific shores is prepon-
derating over every other interest in the coun-
tries traversed by the Transit routes, and it must
in the end result in complete social and politi-
cal reorganization of them. Nicaragua was the
first to feel the effects of this new order of things
but the other Central American States, in taking
up arms against the change which she was expe-
riencing, have brought themselves into the con-
test and must abide the result
Incapable of self-support, We find the proofs
daily accommodating that both parties look for
and depend upon aid from Wall street; aud
while one party sends down men and material
for Walker, the other furnishes money and daring
skill TO his opponents. To the feeble political
organizations of Costa Rica aud Nicaragua it
matters little which party triumphs the ruling
spirits of both become henceforward American.
One may place the American at the head and
front Of the new order of things; and the other,
like Dossaix and Give, in India, keep the ruling
power masked belinda native puppct; the result
is still the same, and the story of India becomes
repeated in the Is,hmus States Of this continent
II looks now as though the true and open
iilibuster movement will triumph; ard If General
Walker, as the representative man of that spirit,
has the tact aud sagacity TO endear himself TO the
masses of the people in Central America he may
yet build up great empire. For thirty years
the masses there have been but the spoil and
tools Of ambitious men. Pressed like sheep into
the ranks Of each ambitious leader, or robbed by
every one who welded the strong arm OF 20 -sr,
they have little sympathy with any government;
all are looked upon by them as enemies There
is another element in the occurrences south Of
us that is becoming developed to the advantage
OF the American flibuster. This is most CURLY
stated in the letter published yesterday from o.r
Lima correspondent. When President Castillo
wished to send the Peruvian Admiral Salsedo TO
retake some runaway steamers, the Admiral said
to him, Do cot, If you expect success, give me
Poruvians. for they are a set of towards aud
traitors Iwant Americans" Aud Castillo sought
them for his service.
Here we see that Saxon tenacity and Saxon
courage are beginning to tell upon the Spanish
American politicians; il is natural that they
should also produce their effects upon the masses,
and Il they are applied 10 the science Of govern
ment as efIectually as they are applied to the
art Of war, they will command toe respect aud
support Of the misgoverned people in those
countries. Such an event wonld elevate those
now disorgaDized communities 10 peace aud a
material prosperity that must be the true source
of intellectual development among them. In
whatever form, Therefore, that our American
truth and skill are brought 10 rule Central
America. whether directly under President
Walker or indirectly under Commodore Wander
blt, order will be brought ont of chaos, and pros
periiy out of the now wasted or abandoned elc-
ments of material welfare. Such result is dis
tincly pointed at by the course of passing events
and our Indian empire promises soon TO become
a fixed fact, as Caleb Gushing would say, and
doubtless to the advantage of ourselves and Of
the world. Speed, therefore our Indian empire.
The Gas COMPANIES AND THE PUBfIC.-Tbe
manner in which the gas companies perform
their contracts with the public and with indiv-
duals has become the subject of general com
plant. large number of the lamps are not
lit at night, and the gas supplied to offices and
private houses is Of very inferior description.
For what they use the gas consumers Of New