Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-27
..b unon bia Inns fail to execute it. and inaics

posed to them began to intrigue with neigbboring
governments and to excite fass prejudices against
the Americans. At bis suggestion, the President
of the Republic had notes sent to the surrounding
governments, informing them that the Americans
were not invader of Nicaragua; that they did not
seek the invasion of other countries; that their
policy was peace. But the messengers who cars
ried these notes driven out OF the States.
The only answer made to these friendly assurances
was declaration of war against the Americans in
NICARAGUA. Then forced upon It
only when driven to it by force, that we re-
sorted to the sword. We were compelled to re-
sort 10 force to sustain ourselves there. They VII
olated great principle of public law, not only in
declaring against the Americans without cause,
but in the manner in which it was waged. The
war was waged by the allies, simply because there
were Americans in Nicaragua. For this, Nicar4-
qua wss made the victim of war. Nor VS. it to be
an ordinary war, conducted according to the rules
Of civilized warfare. On the same day on which
it was declared, another d cree was issued, COM
handing that every prisoner taken with arms
should be shoii In accordance with the gross VII
olation of public law, causeless war was waged
against our race-a of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
were to be spared-no quarter to be given.
The wounded American prisoners were murdered
in cold blood at Santa Rosal Were he and his
comrades to forget this?to forget this horrid bar
bsriiy and murder-to forget that their murdered
countrymen yet lie unburied at Santa Rosa? Gould
they forget or fail to return and avenge their
wrongs? Yet 1t said that they had no interest
in that SOIL when those nearest and dearest to them
lie msrtyred and unburied therei
But it not proper for him to go into the de
tails Of the war. Alter awhile Don Patricio RVas
himself became a violator of law. He who owed
his political power and influence to the aid of the
Americans-who was established and upheld IN
Office by them-beca me also a traitor, and they
were obliged to number him among their enemies
In Quence of the detection OF Rivas, 1t became
De- ItaT
it was by Rivas' own decree that the election had
been order d, the time and places of voting, and
the qualifications of the electors fixed. He (Gen.
Walker) was elected by a large majority, President
of Nicaragua, in pursuance of that decree lie
had seen it stated, in a copy OF dispatch oy Mr..
Yrissarri, the representative at Washington from
Nicaragua, at present, that he (Gen. w. could not
have been elected President, because be was not
native of Central America. Mr.. Yrissarri knew
this to be a falsehood-knew that in making it he
had lie upon his lips. Under the Constitution OF
1888, the Chief Executive of Nicaragua SUI
preme Director, ami the Constitution of 1888 re-
qured the Executive to be native OF Nicaragua.
But that Constitution had been destroyed-super
seeded by the Constitution of 1854. This latter
Constitution was framed by men OF the party which
Yri slrri progressed to represent. Under the Con.
stituton of 1888 President OF Nicaragua was not
recognized; the chief officer was simply Supreme
Director. Under the Constitution Of 1854, there
was no requisIton that the President of the Re-
public should be a native of Central America. Mr..
Yrissarri was not a native of Nicaragua, but OF
Guatamela, and he knows that the Constitution of
1854 the one in force, and that under its pro-
visions the President was not required 10 be a
tive of Central America. By the articles of the
reaty itself, it affirmed and made a law that
Provisional President should be elected. RiVas
was to hold the Office for fourteen months, unless
displaced by the will Of the people. 1t further
stipulated in the treaty that certain provisions OF
tloH o., ,f1 10
but they were special provisions A citizen of any
American Republic, by a simple act of declaration,
became a citizen OF Nicaragua. These provisions
were made for the time being, laws of the land,
but not parts of the Constitution.
Not only had he (Gen. W. been constitutioualy
elected President but the Minister of the United
States recognized him the head of the Govern
nent. And not only did the Minister recognize
him, but he asked favors from his Government and
received them; be asked for the discharge of GER
ain soldiers who natives of the United States,
and although their terms of enlistment in the Mic
lraguan army had not expired, they dis
charged. Thus the United States acknow lodged
and recognized the legality OF his election. This
vas in the latter part of July, 1856, and far the
United States had manifested friendly feelings to-
Yards his Gov eminent. But in September, 1856
ne issued a decree by which SLdrery was estab-
ished in Nicaragua. Then it was, the acting Sec
rotary of State of the United States saw fit, indi-
ectly and by evasion, to recall Minister Wheeler.
Then it that the policy of the the Federal Adj
ninstration towards him was changed. THIS was
the head and front of his Offending"
But although the conduct Of the Americans in
Nicaragua was thus to some extent repudiated by
he American Government, still they did not lose
eart but went confident in the strength and
lstice of a good cause. They struggled on mar
uy against powerful combination. Ii e had seen
men die in Nicaragua slowly by disease-he had
cen them stricken down and die suddenly in battle;
ba Afrnar IN in,
ying hour, express the least regret that he had
ngaged iii the cause. In the solemn hour OF
cath, they had all met their fate with calmness
nd courage.
But towards the conclusion of the struggle an
'ther and strong party interviewed. He and his
comrades could have struggled long against Costa
2ica and her Central American coufederates. But
L length an American officer interviewed in the
fairs of Nicaragua, and by seizng their vessel in
heir own port, forced them to surrender and evac-
late the country. Only lately fortunately, evidence
If this fact had been disclosed by the enemies Of
he Americans in Central America. President Mora
lad lately acknowledged that but for the interview
ion of Capt Davis the allies would soon have been
oIced raise the seige of Rivas-that soon their
own disse ntions would have forced the Allies to
etire and that the Americans could have cut their
way out through them. When the capture of Ri
yas thus forced by the act Of Capt. Davis,
ie (Gen. W. careful that stain should rest
y the honor OF American soldiers inviolate, but
he faith of the race. Captain Davis obliged
o leave the officers their side-arms, and pledged
he faith of his Government to the protection OF
hose native Nicaraguans who had engaged with
he Americans. de soemnly agreed and promis-
ID to protect the Central Americans. But Capt
D. did not fulfil his engagements. His Govern
nent was not legally, but certainly it morally
pound to observe and carry them out. but they did
lot suit il, and it cid not sustain him. Those ma
i've Central Americans who bad sided with him
we're forced to work like slaves; they were SUBJ
ected to every hardship and wrong. If there were
10 other motive TO carry him back, good faith TO
hem would demand his return. Everywhere,
ince his compulsory return to this country he had
vowed his determination to 60 back to Nicaragua
regain his rights and to protect his allies ia that
,oultry. So long as he could raise arm be
would persevere. Might his tongue ceave to the
oof Of his mouth-might his every LIMB be pail
his heart cease TO pulsate-when he
orgot bis rights in Nicaragua, the wrongs be and
lis comrad,s had suffered there, his obligations
o the native allies who aided him
lie did return and land In Nicaragua. They
we're on the OF regsiung ell that had previous
y os.n Iost. Tuey bed sseured tbe msud OF
he San Juan river, and couli easily have gained
possession Of Lake Nicaragua, the key 10 the domi-
lion OF the Nhole country. But when they had
accomplished this much, American officer again
stepped forward and commanded him 10 leave the
,ouutryl The facts too recent and TOO pal
pable require hin to diIate upon them. But is
Vas perhaps IN respects fortunate that at the
al law, he violated Am, rcAn statute law-he yio-
.fet,.. Of .-. Iii ~.