The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-16
The Position 81 Walker and The Fllabusters
The New Policy q tAe Country.

Inc Vow EOaaCy - vno C00ntrys
The return of Gen. Walker to Nicaragua is
one of those stubborn facts of the age that stare
the world boldly in the face, and puzzle the
minor philosophers who seek to find in the
petty reasons within their grasp the causes for
their existence.
That be has gathered the means for seem
inrly desperate enterprise, and in the face of
the record of previous disaster and defeat,
within six months Of his return as penniless
adventurer to our shores; that he has enlisted
hundreds Of followers for the forlom hope, and
probably thousands for the main column of his
movement, in the full light Of strong adverse
public opinion that he has left thiscountry in
opposition to. and in spite of, the will of the
government to prevent him; that he has es-
capped the meshes which the watchml cruisers
Of the American and English navies had spread
to catch him, and that he has hoistd his ban
ner as President Of Nicaragua, upon Eicaraguan
SOIL without opposition, are pregnant facts, be
the individual causes that have combined to
produce them what they may. Whether these
be found in the connivance Of public officers the
combinations Of enterpising and ambitious
men, or the discussions between PARTIES and
governments in Central America, tley allpoint
with unerring certainty to one thing, and that
is, that in this country there is q vst, deep and
irresistible tendency on the part If the people
to carry their energies and Their enterprise
their love Of order and material Development,
to the decaying and anarchial countries south
re, Va NOV coll IL f;lihuatarino nr apvthin0
el.e-it is a part of the great movement of the
age, and is exhibited by the English in India
by the French in Africa, as well as by us on this
continent in Central America. All of these
movements are the same in reality, though diff
fering in some Of their details only that Mro-
pean filibustering is carried on either by or
under the sanction Of government, while that
of America is fed and fostered by the people.
It's results everywhere are the same, being po-
li.ieal amelioration and industrial develope-
ment. In India ii takes one FORM and builds
canals for irrigation, and railroads fG the
increase of commerce; in Algeria it assumes
another, and digs artesian wells in the desert of
Sahara to open new and shorter routes
for the caravans; in Central America
il is blended with the transit Of the Ethmus
and the reorganization of those States. Founded
upon so broad an impulse, both in Europe and
America, this popular tendency cannot be rooted
out; and as in Europe 1t is led by the govern
ments, in this country it is becoming question
what position the government here shall assume
towards it,
Without entering upon this groum, it is
worth while to contemplate the position and
chances of Gen. Walker. His position in Mica
ragua is in opposition to the dominant parties
there, though there is little reason to doubt that
he has partisans, and not few, among the in
habitants. Whether he will be able to bring
his own partisans into power will probably abide
the issue of the sword. Should the existing
quarrel between Nicaragua and Costa Rica not
be healed, he may succeed, with even a very
small force. For this he must depend upon the
uncertain contributions of an unorgsnized but
favorable public sentiment. The New York
Commodores, who supported him two years
since, have now abandoned him, 30 far as open
support goes, though it is more than probable
that some Of them have secretly contributed to
his funds. II was their divisions and conflicting
interests that overthrow him before, when, had
they united, the entire result would have been
changed-and some Of the old leaven still re-
mains among them.
The quarrels between the several Central
American governments that have grown out of
their alliance against Walker, and the exhaus-
ton consequent upon their exertions in the
war, render them more powerless than ever to
resist an energetic movement, and from that
side he has little to fear. But since his depar-
ture our own government, at the Invitation Of
Nicaragua. has entered into q treaty to protect
her in the possession of the Transi, route, which
changes the entire position of this country to-
ward the Central American States, II changes,
in fact, the whole ground Of our policy in re-
gard to them. In agreeing to protect and
guarantee the neutrality Of the Isihmus routes,
and to employ the army and navy Of the Unit
ed States, If necessary, for that purpose, we
bring new principles into action, and plant the
germ of policy that must and will extend 1t
opens new and mighty future to our people,
and will lead to the attainment Of the same end
that is contemplated by the popular impulse of
the country. The President, in his message
to Congress, points out the necessity of le-
gislative action to confer upon the
government the authority to Use the public
force, under the existing international stipula-
tions with New Granada and Nicaragua; and
when this is accorded the stimulus TO private
expeditions will have ceased.
This is the great obstacle that stands in the
path Of Walker and makes bis position doubt
full one. A blockade Of the harbor OF Grey.
town by British or American forces involves
too many very grave questions to be lightly en-
tered upon. That either Of them will send any
forces to operate on the San Juan river unlcS
it be the United States, under the new treaty
with Nicaragua, is out Of the question. That
they will be able by other means to prevent his