Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-23
Gen. walker. speech.

hear that gentleman, on Saturday night. He
spoke one hour and half, taking a general
review of his efforts in Nicaragua, and the
course which this government had chosen to
pursue towards those engaged in that enter
prize.
He commenced by referring to the opinions
of Col. AARON BURR and Gen. JACKSON on the
subject of Americanizing Spanish America;
these were the representative men Of two dis
tinct generations, and held opinions which
would sooner or later become the fixed opin-
ions of the country. There are two modes or
policies by which these ideas can be carried
out, that of the diplomatist and that of the
soldier. The latter only is practical. Texas
had been Americanized by peaceful emigra-
tion and colonization; and within a few
months past, it has been urged to pursue the
same line of policy towards Nicaragua and
other Central American States; but in Texas
there was scarcely a vestige Of the Mexican
population left after the revolution. Texas
was hardly an integral part of the Mexican
government, but was a frontier province, a
mere dependency. What was practical in the
one case would not do in the other. The pol
icy of the soldier was the only one that prom
ised success in the Americanization of Central
Spanish America.
1t has been alleged that the Americans ia
Nicaragua had no friends or supporters among
the native population. Besides being invited
there in the first instance by the highest au-
thorities of the country, many Of the native
people stood with them and fought with them
up to the moment when Capt. DAVIS, an
American naval officer, forced them to capitu-
late and evacuate RvAs in May 1857. And
this equalization was not agreed to, and would
not have been agreed to till all the civil
rights and privileges were solemnly guaran-
tied to those natives who were then in Rivas
Yet this guaranty was deliberately and
shamelessly violated. When, last November
he returned and took Fort Castillo, he there
found in the ranks of the garrison, an officer
of the Costa Rican Army, whom he had for
merly made prisoner and discharged on his
parol of honor, and who had been deprived of
his rank and forced to bear arms in the ranks
with letters upon his limbs, contrary to bis
parol. This man and the whole garrison of
Castillo, felt, and so expressed themselves,
that the arrival of the Americans was re-
lease from an ignominious and tyrannical ser
vitude, which they rejoiced in. These facts
were sufficient to show whether the Americans
had friends among the native population.
On his compulsory return to the United
States he had expressed the determination to
return to Nicaragua. He had violated no law
of the United States. The right of expatria-
tion had been declared by WEBSTER and JACK
Son, it was one of the grounds upon which the
war of l8l2-l5 was based--and lay at the
foundation of American liberty He ascer-
tanned that the present Government conceded
this right, and would offer no obstacle to his
~d chic h;s ,.,I,-~..-Ii-c-
I'll the President caused the issue of procla-
nation in September last, to prevent the sail
ing of an unlawful expedition, which it was
slledged was being fitted out in this country
for the purpose of making military descent
upon Nicaragua. This proclamation was is
sued at the instance of a couple of Central
Americans, who had not been recognised as
ministers to this country. They were foreign
ers who had made their way to Washington
and assumed to dictate to the Government
what was violation of it's laws, and what
course the Government should pursue This
was disgrace to the Government, and in
stead of receiving and submitting to II. the
Secretary of State. if he had been mindful of
the character and dignity of the United States
would have thrown the complaint into the
streets, and spurred its authors from his pres
ence.
He left Mobile on the l4th of November;
the next day was Sunday; and the next day.
the 10th, YRIsARRI and MoLIS, were received
as Ministers from Central America to this
Government, and on that or the next day a
treaty was proclaimed between the President
and the Minister'S The Minister from Mica
ragua, had no authority or credentials from
his own government. He presented an APP
pointment from DoN PATRlCIo RrAs, who him
self had ceased to exercise authority in Mica
qua nearly two years ago. 1t ia strange that
as soon as the departure of tho Americans
from Mobile, was telegraphed TO Wash;n gton,
these men, one of whom had been hanging
around the Departments for months, should
have been formally received, and on that or
the next day, treaty should have been form
cd and proclaimed. The fact is also signifi-
cant, that the persons most benefited by that
treaty, in the matter of the transit route, were
men notorious for their political crimes and
unbounded corruption. These were JOSEPH
Il %
Editor of the Washington Star, and YRIsARRI
Such were the influences brought TO bear in
this proceeding.
When the Americans arrived on the soil of
Nicaragua, on their own soil. took possession
of Fort Castillo, and had within their grasp
all the rights of which they had been dcpriv-
ed by the unlawful Interference of the United
States government Commodore OF the Unit
ed States navy appears, frames an indictment;
charging the Americans with being outlaws
and pirates, determines the law for himself,
acts the part Of petit jury, and renders n
verdict, and forces them TO haul down their
flag and again return to this country. At the
moment this was being done, there was In the
cabin Of the Flagship British naval officer,
In consultation and advisemeut with Coumo-
dore Paulding. Thus while they held the ky
to the country, and had nothing to do but
reach forth and take the rights which they
possess in Nicaragua, rights as clearly and well
defined as the civil rights of any citizen in this
country, they are, by British intrigue and a
gross violation of the laws of the United
States, forced to retire and return to this coGn-
try. When the President Is called on for in
formation in regard to this proceeding he
transmits to Congress, message in which the
violation of the law is admitted, but the ilie-
gal act excused on the ground that the motives
of Com. PAuLDfSa were proper, and the Com