Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-09
From the Nes7 Orleans Della.
SPEECH OF GEN. WALKER.

An immense throug Of people assembled last
evening, on Canal street, to hear the address Of
Gen. Walker on the recent movements in Nicaragua.
The balconies adjacent the stand were filed with la
dies, while the street was crowded with Nicaraguan
sympathzers. The speaker was eheered vociferous-
w. and his remarks were received with great enthu
sasm. We lay the following report Of the speech
before our readers;
Fsllotv-eitizsns: Istand before you not to Yind-
cate cause, for 1t needs none. What is just needs
no vindication. This coneOUrse Of citizens and the
sympathy here manifested attest the interest you
feel But stand to vindicate Americans and the
acts by which American cause has been upheld
BY American citizens. In examining the motive of
these acts ask you discard al prejudiees, and
to stand here if you were posteriy, to judge Of
history. -. s.
Many and INSCRIPTIONS have been the means re-
sorted to to place in a false light before my
oountrymen. These it Is necessary to remove, and
challenge my enemies to point to single act Of
mine which has been in violation of civil national,
or international rights. fCheers. Icarenge any
one present to name any act of mine in Nicaragua
which has not been stamped with the seal of justice.
There are those who have charged upon me such
motives as, to attempt to yindcate them, would be
sheer mockery There are those who have charged
upon me motives Of qyariee and mere persOna gain.
From such I seorn 70 Yindcate myself The men
who were with me in Nicaragua-my fellOw-eountry-
men in arms-Will yindicate me FROM the charge Of
having entertained such motives. But there are
other motives not SO degrading at first blush; that
was a mere soldier of fortune attempting to carry
out my ambition, to make myself q name and fame.
This imputation 1 reject equally unfounded; and
L hope to convince you that am not q mere soldier
of fortune, risking the lives and fortunes Of my
countrymen for the sake of ambition. The actions
of nv hand prove a nObler motive If l have ex-
erted myself for any purpose, it has been Ia extend
American influence and Amerieanize Nicaragua.
For thirty five years, struggle for liberty has
been going on among the Central American Repub-
lies. The civil wars showed that the people were
incapable Of self-gOveFnment. Nicaragua was in
state of anarchy when l accepted the offer of Cas-
tillOn.- refused to actin open violatiou-Of the
laws of the United States But said there was no
violation of the laws of country in their asking
me to fight In behalf Of the Democratic party. L
sent an agent to CastiHon to tell him that the con
tract between US must be made accordingly; that
had an invitation from Gen Canduras to assist the
HonduFians, and would &c there if CastillOn appre
hended any danger from the presence Of Americans
in Nicaragua. On Bonded knee, and with suppliant
tones the Provisional President of Nicaragua, in
sisted that / should remain and wished the Ameri-
cans to be on his side, for be knew them to be
loyal and true.
After my success on the transit route made
treaty by which the presence Of Americans was APP
proved by Corral and his paTtyI 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 Americans. Seven
days alUef, IN bne presence OF the pf1e6tS DeIOre
whom Gen. Corral and myself we're sworn to the
treaty, and before the ink was scarcely dry on the
paper, he penned encouraging letters to the Hondu-
rians against the Americans These fell into my
hands, and felt that might have brought him to
the block; and by the provisions Of the treaty he
could not have evaded his execution. This traitor
proved to be guilty plead nothing in his extenua-
ton, but begged for m srcy. felt then, as now,
that court Of justice was act Of wisdom and
mercy the part of folly. IApplause-l
l felt that justice and mercy would still be melted
cut and that in six months after Corals death his
party would be vanquished. After the execution of
Corral the Rivas party went over to the Democratic
side and Gen Cahanas assisted the HOndmians. /
went by invitations tothe Rssisane of the Nieara-
guans. Gen. Heras Joined in the application which
was made to me. Every eXertiOn was made to infu-
ence me to take the Americans to Honduras. I re-
Piled that Americans were there friends 10 all
parties By my suggestions commissions were sent
to Honduras and all the States stating that we de-
sired peace, that our policy was pacific, and that
under the circumstances to take sides was ilibera
Heras acknowledged the truth Of my suggestions.-I
He was not a Democrat and was in favor of as
sisting Cabanas. Deputies were sent by my advice
stating that We desired peace. We shalLsee how far
this was granted. .,.E .s.+aasA ls
in the meantime, an important event trdnspred, |
At the suggestion Of Don Patrcio Rivas, an Ameri-
was sent to represent the government at Wash
ingtOn. L opposed this as bad policy; but was not
in authority, and my opposition was unavailing.-
They wanted an American to speak the American |
language. You al know felloW-eitizens, how he /
was received. None can paint the surprise Of the |
NicaraeUans, because on the plea of Pierce and /
Marcy, he was rejected on account of his being |
born in the United States, I well knew the result,
and told them of the relations that existed between
the United States and Nicaragua but I assured /
hem that my cOuntTymen knew apOwer higher than
that Of presidents and oabnets-that had infinite
confidence in that higher power which the people
held in their own hands-the true American sover
eighty.
The alliance which followed between the four
Central American Slates-the combination against
American citizens IN NicaEagus--is due to Pierce