Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-27
From the Montgomery MAJ.
Gen. VIM. walkers speech,
In the Capitol # alabama. Monday Egen;ng,
January s, 1858.


January Is, 1858.
Gen. WALKER said-In indicating the course
which the Americans in Nicaragua have pursued
throughout the revolution in that country, l must
revert to those principles which have ever guided
our ancestors in all the revolutions which they
have successfully achieved. And before concud
ing, / hope to satisfy you, that in what we have
done, have but carried out the principles which
have guided our race from the days of our fore
fathers TO the present hour. Let us go back to
the days Of the origin OF the freedom which you
enjoy. Look to Europe and see what constitutes
the difference between the free institutions of our
English ancestors and those of the European ma
tons. Go the origin of those free principles in
Scandinavia-trace them in their progress to Eng
land, to jamestown, to Plymouth Rock. What is
the difference between the revolutions of this race
and the revolutions of all other races? If dis
tinguishiDg trait more than any other lies at the
foundation of its success, il is its love of law-its
efforts, not for the overthrow but for the msinten
ance of law It's progressive dominion presents
a striking contrast to the revolutions of the Latin
races of Europe. Go back to Runnymede and to
the era Of Magma Charta. 1t was not for the over
throw of any statutory laws but for the observance
of the unwritien laws of England, that our ances-
tors struck against their oppressors. The revoluE
ton of 1910 originated in the same princple-the
popular idolatry OF law as il stood-not its over
throw. Following up the tide of history, we find
other and greater revolutions to affect the political
affairs of the Woodworking at length in the rev.
olution at Philadelphia. Our ancestors did not,
afterwards did the political men OF France, seek
establish new rights and privileges, but resisted
the viol Iton of rights which they had always en-
joyed. They but asserted and indicated the same
great principles that originated the Revolution 10
Nicaragua.
Gen. Walker said that he and his companions
had been denounced as outlaws and pirates-ns
men who had violated every law, human and d.
vine. He defied bis enemies and accusers to fol-
low the history of his cause, and point the first
instance in which they had violated law They
had not, and he hoped they never would forget the
men from whom they sprang. When they should
cease to forget law-when they should cease To
observe it III its miDutest detals-he hoped that
they might be unsuccessful. But as long as they
continued observe it, he trusted that they should
not lose the sympathy and support OF the Ameri-
can people. Not was not the Americans In Me-
araCuA who violated law-it was their enemies.
On every occasion of defeat or disaster to his
causc-whether it was brought about by his ene-
mics in Central America else " here-it had been
effected by the violation OF all law, international
and State.
He had not connived at the violation Of any law
When he ut to Nicaragua he went with the full
knowledge and express consent Of the authorities
Of the United States. When the Democratic par
~ of Nicaragua first sought his aid in California
they authorized him TO enlist such a number Of
men, and promised him co much pay and so many
acres of land. He then refused to have any par
ticipa ton in ihe stated that unless the contract
was in strict accordance with the act Of 1918, he
would not act under it. Afterwards a grant OF col
oniz ,ton was rendered, and under this he went
Mr.. Inge the United States District Attorney in
California, decide the contract to DO DOT only
strictly in accordance with law, but declared that
it had his hearty approval and wishes for its cue
cess. He went TO Nicaragua with IA little band of
colonsts, and after some time agreed to enter into
the military service in support OF the Liberal cause
The Democratic party OF Nicaragua had lost much
tered upon the csmpaign-a large portion of his
force consisting OF the nativrs oi tho oouptry. ID,
taking Granada he struck down the flag Of the op
position aud enabled the Democratic party to
achieve success. The native soldiers and ctz MS
thirsted for revenge, and almost bent on vio-
lating orders aud burning and sacking the town.
Then il that the legitimists owed their protec-
ton TO the Amercans--to the very men whom
they sought to destroy. We saved them when
they, like towards, had deserted the town aud left
their women aud children unprote cted. In graft.
tude for this, they themselves became apparently
friendly TO the Americans. A treaty was entered
into; jast aud ho,ral government was establish
ed; protection was afforded TO both the Democrats
aud the Legitmists; peace wss given TO the coun-
try. This Sas the gift which we-contemned aud
illuminated though NC have been by private and
public critcIsm-gave TO Nicaragua Under that
treaty, a provisional government was organised
and &c insisted that be should retain the COM
NJ OF the army.
but here he came to another chargs-that he
and bis party not only violated the laws of the
land, but the laws Of humanity also; aud The exc.
cutlou OF Corral bad been iustauccd ia proof of
this charge. This vas the hrst act OF simple jus
lice. BY the treaty, the rights OF the American
citizens had been expressly recognised aud gusran-
teed. Corral himself rattle aud signed the arti-
cles. Then were there by abe consent OF all
parties. When the President was inaag iIed and
assumed Office, Corral aud himself took the oath
10 maintain all the provisions Of the treaty-they
stood as sponsors for Rvss, and bound theaselv, .
Ia maintain and respect all the treaty stipulaIons.
But before the words Of that oath had died away
upon his lips-beiore the sacred vo~ ~hich he had
taken, had ceased TO vertebrate upon the ears OF
mrn-Corral was detected Ia writing letters TO
Guatapala, San Salvador aud other stStes, urging
them 20 come and sxpsl the Americans. When
charged upon him. be confessed the crime. This
man, ~ho had sworn tsaliy to Il. and sacred Oh
seTEanes OF IL, the hfst TO violate the provis-
Ions oi-Ihs treaty. Could he lGsn. W. with that