Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-09

was not Democrat, and was not in favor Of
assisting Cabanas. Deputies were sent by my
advice, stating that VIC desired peace. We
shall sec how far this was granted. In the
meantime, an important event transprcd. AT
the suggestion of Don Patricio Rivas, an Amer.
ican was sent to represent the government at
Washington. | opposed this as bad policy
but was not in authority, and my opposition
was unavaling. They wanted an American
to speak the American language. You all
know, feow-citzens, how he was received.
None can paint the surprise of the Nicaraguans,
because, on the plea of Pierce and Marcy, he
was rejected on account of his being born in
the United States. knew the result, and told
them Of the relations that existed between the
United States and Nicaragua; but assured
them that my conntrymen knew power high
er than that of presidents and cabincts-that
I had infinite confidence in that higher power,
which the people held in their own hands-the
true American sovereignty. [Appausc.
The alliance which followed between the
four Central American states the combina-
ton against American citizens in Nicaragua
is due to Pierce and Marcy, under their rcjcc.
ton of the Nicaraguan Minister. This brought
the matter to maturity. Immediately the Cos
ia Ricans, the supposed weakest power of the
combination commenced hostilitics by an open
declaration Of war Then followed the almost
anomalous decree by which the Costa Rcans
made war; not against the state but against
the Americans in Nicaragua. Thus commen.
ced the wal of the races-the great battle Of
the mongres and the white men.
This, war then, YVES not begun by Tie Amer
leans in Nicaragua; and challenge the pro.
duction Of single act in which they did any
thing but uphold the pledges made by the
people of Nicaragua. After this it appears
that Don Patricio Rivas plotted with the north
States for eficting the descrtion ofsuch Amer.
leans as cond not be expelled by force. Amer
lean rights were ignored in Nicaragua; brides
Of money and even lands were freely offered
in the face Of our having braved war in its
worst forms, and suffered the loss life 10y the
rage Of famine and pcstilencc. They, howcv.
or, pretcnted TO be convinced Of my assuran-
ces of the merits Of our position, and were
willing that the election Of President should go
before the people This desired, for | well
knew that the mass Of them detcsied with an
implaeable hatred the forced military service
Of the Costa Rcans.
The election was dccreed, but, only think,
the result was not declared before Rvas was
found plotting a revolution, under the pre-
tence that the people were overawed by my
presence. Bu', the wicked flee when no
man pursueth u was not there; they were
running from their own consciences. Notwth-
standing this conduct of Riyas the election re.
suited in my elevation to the Presidency. BY
this stood forth the only protector and law
ful representative of the Nicaraguans. Rivas
was previously but the provisional President.
was commander chief Of one portion Of the
army. and it was through me he was named
for the position, I was Joint sponsor, and af-
ter the death Of Corral, was the sole of his ele
vation. was bound by oath to put Rivas out
when was sworn in, but was justified be-
fore the world by tie unmistakable voice Of
the people, who knew the facts under which
| had been elected.
need not recount the events which follow.
cd. J have but to vindicatc the acts Of Amer
leans in Nicaragua. You all know how long
and how successfully strived, with what
means forced back the enemy and braved
that worst Of foes, the lurking pestilencc, then
raging with violence in Granada. But for n
new influence, which | regret to say comes
but little less from my own than foreign
country, we might still have been in the arms
of Nicaragua.
1t is probable VIC had no right to expect sym
pathy Of the British, even if determined at the
sacrifice Of the honor and rights Of British off.
GERS; but need not tell you that officers of
the British service encouraged dcsciton from
our army, themselves forgetting their swords
AID pretending to have honor in their hearts.
They but obcycd the dictnm of a superior au-
thority. But whatever the position of those
officers, could not but think that, unless gov
crned by some strange colluson, they would not
have interftred with American ctiz ms. 1t is
impossible TO explain it except by supposing
that Americans were on the same side with
the British. Our worst enemies were the
Americans. OH that they had been born in
some other country. 1t is to our shame that
they should, at their birth, have breathed the
same air as honest Americans II was not IN
til the last exgency-that of reverse and dan
ger--an American bearing the name and arm
Of an American officer, consumatcd what Brit
ish interference had begun. 1t is duty to
myself to explain why we are no longer in
arms; and that, however Insignificant might
bc the representative of our American Gov
ernmeni | should respect the American flag
as much in him as in the highest oflicer and
that in surrendcring | reserved the right OF
anneai not to the Government hut to the rov-