Mariposa Democrat., 1857-07-09
From the New Orleans Delta.
SPEECH OF GEN. WILLIAM WALKER

From the New Orleans Delta.
SPEECH OF GEN. WILLIAM WALKER
Agrccably 10 the announcement that General Walker
would address the c,zcn Of New Orleans last evening
Canal street. Caronlele Of The largest meet
ngs we have ever seen assembled at the appointed hour
The General spoke nearly two hours and listened t'
with intense interest throughout Knowing the genera
anxiety the public know and to read what Gen Walk
has to say upon the important subec, he represents
have taken especial pains prepare complete report
his address possible 1t Is scarcely necessary for
comment ts perusal readers and without further
comment at present, submi, report as follows
Fellow CIrizESs II stand before you moi
to vndcatc a cause, for it needs none. What
is just needs no vindication. This concoursc
of citizens, and the sympathy here manifested,
attest the interest you feel. But stand to
vindicate Americans and the acts by which an
American cause has been upheld by American
citizens. In examining the motives Of these
acts ask you to discard all prcjudices, and
to stand here as il you were posterity, to judge
of history-to judge without fear or favor.
Many and INSCRIPTIONS have been the means
rcsortcd TO, to place me in a false light before
my countrymen. These it is necessary to re
move, and challenge my enemies to point to
a single act Of mine which has been in viola.
lion of civil, or international tights [Chcer,
| challenge any one present to name any act
of mine in Nicaragua which has not been
stamped with the seal ofjustice
There are those who have charged upon me
such motives as TO attempt to yindicatc them
would be sheer mockery. There are those
who have charged upon me motives Of avarcc
and personal gain. From such | scorn to vim
dicatc myself The men who were with me
in Nicaragua-my fellow countymcn in arms
will yindicate me from the charges Of having
such motives. But there are motives not so
degrading at first blush that | was a mere
soldier of fortune attempting TO carry out my
ambition, to make for myself name and fame.
this imputalion reject as equally unfounded /;
and hope to convince you that ! was not a
mere soldier of fortune, rsking the lives and
fortunes Of my countrymcn for the sake Of am
bition. The actions Of my hand prove a no
bier motive. III haze exerted myself for any
purpose, it has been TO extend American influ-
ence and Americanize Nicaragua.
For thirty-five years struggle had been
going on among the Central American repub-
| lies The civil wars showed that the people
were incapable of self government Ncara-
aqua was in state Of anarchy when ! aecep-
ted the offer of Chastillon. | refused to act
in open violation of the United States. But
said there was no violation ofthc laws Of our
country in asking me to fight in behalf of the
Democratic party. | sent nm agent to Chastil-
lon TO tell him that the contract between us
must be made accordingly; that had an in
vitaton from General Canduras to assist the
Hondurans, and would 60 there If Chasiil-
lon apprchcnded any danger from the presence
of the Americans in Nicaragua. On bended
knees and with suppliant tones, the Provision.
al President of Nicaragua insisted that should
remain, and wished the Americans to be on his
own side, for he knew them to be loyal and
true.
After my success on the Transit Route,
made treaty by which .hc presence of Amer
leans was approved by Corral and his party.
| did this to secure the good will of ALL There
was not a Nicaraguan who could say, in the
face of this treaty, that he had not approved
the presence Of the Americans. Seven days
after, in the presence of the priest before whom
Gen. Corral and myself were sworn TO the
treaty, and before the ink was scarcely dry on
the paper, he penncd encouraging letters TO
the Ilondurans against the Americans These
fell into my hands, | felt that might have
brought him 10 the block and by the pro
visions of the treaty he could not have cvadcd
his execution. This traitor proved to be gull
tv, proved nothing in his cxtcnuaton, but beg
ged for mercy. | felt then, as now, that
court OF justice was an act Of wisdom, and
mercy the part of folly. [Checrs
felt that justice and mercy would still be
meted out, and that in six months after Cor
rails death his party would be vanquished-
After the execution of Corral, the Rivas party
went over to the Democratic side, and Gen.
Cabanas assisted the IIondurans. went, by
invitation, to the assistance Of Nicaragua. Gen
lleras joined in the application which was
made TO me- Every exertion was made TO in
1uence me TO take the Americans to Honduras
replied that the Americans were there as
friends to all parties. BY my suggestion com
missions were sent to Honduras and all the
States, stating that we desired peace, that our
policy was pacific, and that under the circum-
stances to take sides was illiberal. Icras ac.
knowledged the truth of my suggestions He