The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-03


graciously accept this solemn act let us pray"
The exercises then closed with prayer the doxology
and benedictiOn.
General Walker and Nicaragua.
THE REVOLUTION BETWEEN THE DEN0CR ATTIC PARTY
AND THE LEGITIMIsTs-HOw GENERAL WALKER
FOUND THE COUNTRY--Hrs LABORs FOR THE DEMO,
CRATIC PARTY, AND AUGMENTATION OF rHk
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF THE LEdIFAfsTs AND
DEAOCRATs-THE COALITION OF TIE ALLIES
AGAINST HIM-THE PEOPLE OF NICARAGUA WILL
LING TO WELCOME HIM BACK.
KDToR HERALD
In 1854 the revolution between the democratic
party and the so-called legtmsts of Nicaragua
broke out. having for its Immediate cause the
forcing upon the country an odous constitution and
plan Of the head OF the goyernment-Don fruto
Chamorro- get hnsclf declared President for iie
in imitation of his Indian friend Carrcra Of Guate
maa. To clear the way for these great 'eps in the
regeneration Of Nicaragua lac ordered the seizure
of several of the most prominent of the opposition
party, which order executed during a dark night
when they were dragged from their beds aud thrown
into prison, from whence in a short time they were
e1patriated by Chamorros government. General
Pneda and one or two others, who happened to be
in San Salvador at the time, were declared outlaws
to the country and forbidden to return. They, how
ever, did not heed the mandate Of Chamorro, but
returned with party of forty four in all, and in less
in Granada. with scarcely anything to eat and only
a handful Of men. Instead of taking advantage of
their position, the democratic soldiery without pay
and several of their chiefs disabled from wounds,
lent themselves to the pundering of whatever they
could lay their hands on, and by these their
discipline became lax; they became morally de-
graded, and so lost the vantage ground they had
ganed-they were driven from town to another
until they found themselves shut up in Leon, their
own stronghold. II was in this situation that Gen.
Walker found them on his arrival in the country in
June, just one year from the commencement Of the
revolution. He came there by invitation of Castel-
Ion, Democratic Provisional President of the repub
lie. BY the terms of agreement General Walker
TO have a. 900 acres Of land 500 per month for
military services and each OF his followers was to
have the same monthly, and so acres Of land 10
be selected from any of the unoccuped lands OF the
republic. These terms were accepted. and how well
Gene ~ Walker and his brave band fulfilled their
yYrt OF The contract history can tell
On his entering Granada on the morning Of Oct.
IT, 1855, he knocked the chains of the feet Of over
eighty prisoners held by the lcgtimsts and who
were chained in pairs and made TO work at the de-
fences, carrying and buryng the dead, and other
degrading duties. Some Of them we're men of high
standing in the democratic party.
On the 23d of October treaty was formed be.
tween General Walker, as the authorized agent of
the democratic party, and General Corral, com
mander in chief Of the legtimst forces Peace was
again rcstored; the inhabitants again returned ~
their dwellings, the husbandman to his field; COM
merce again sprang into existence; the churches
at Granada, and new law for the regulation OF the
public schools was under consideration. Happiness
regned over all till Costa Rica declared war against
"the fbusters," aud sworc war of determination
to ALL and death 10 those who should fall into her
hands. Well and faithfully did bigoted and gno.
rant soldiery fulfil the mandates OF its bloody
minded government. In their eagerness 10 carry
out their orders they fell upon and murdered some
fourteen working men, who were engaged in the
Transit Company works at Virgin Bay. AT Riyas.
after General Walker retreated. the poor fellows
who were found alive were dragged by the hair or
heels TO the place Of execution aud there amid tie
jeers Of the misersbly bgcted crew, they stab
bed and shot one by one.
In July President Rivas. Jerez, end nearly all the
democratic party IN Leon. turned against General
Walker. after trying to assaS5nate him while there
Rvas Icing under the influence OF the men who
packed him Oft to Leon, they could carry out
their intrgues successfully, was an easy insiru
ment in their hands. Jerez and the Others turned
against Walker for the reason he would not allow
them 10 decaptate all the legtimst party. and n
consequence confscate all their property. On the
other hand the egitimsts had not gratitude enough
20 see and acknowledge him as their friend
and protector. In time all the Central American
States formed the alliance against him, and com
PEELED every Nicaraguan who fell in their way to
take mp arms for their cause. Many ran to the woods
to escape from their military tyrants; others
tinued at imminent risks to bring him provisions and
news of the movements Of his enemies, and many,
with Gen. Pncda nj their head remained with him
till the last, and in the stipuatons Of surrender
honorable provision made for them, but have
been unfsithfully fulfilled.
What could Gen. Walker do after being invited to
Nicaragua. and after having 20 many of his country
men compromised by the offers Of the democratic
government and still reiterated by President Rivas
in a decree dated in November, Offering lands and
pay 60 all who should wish TO make Nicaragua their
homer Could he allow himself TO be driven out Of
his adopted country when he had aided that country
in the hour Of her greatest trial and when that
try had not made any provision for the fuhlmeni of
her part of the contract made 18th him. and through
him TO his followers
II was not the spontaneous outhurstinr of m in
dignant and outraged population that rose up "a one
man. as some would try 10 make Us believe. to expel
a ruthless invader and dcSpoiler Many remained
faithful TO him till their latest breath. and fought
valiantly when they were surrounded by thousands
ut Granada and yielded mp their lives TO the cause
rather than give themselves as instruments Of des-
potsm
In July Gen. Walker was elected President. the
election being carried by direct ballot a novelty for
the natives and q favor Of which they availed them
selves. In Leon the majority in his favor, and
this even after the leaders against him had COM
menced 10 form their plans.
The result of the Central American combination,
together with the unofficial seizure OF the schooner
Granada, il well known. By-thebye, II has been
said that Gen. Zabala made the remark that il cost
the allies seven thousand dollars TO get possession Of
her, but they were ready to pay any price, as her
armament alone was worth more than that.
What pity the owner was in such hurry TO sell
out, as be might have gotten $4,000 or fl5 900!
General Walker was not driven out Of Nicaragua
by the natives Of Nicaragua. The other Central
American States made war against him, and forced
and all 10 fall in be treated enemies. This
Is not mere words, but IL Is known fact, and can
be attested to by many who residents there at
that time. Even now there Is a strong party there
who, now that the outside pressure IL of, would vel
come him back. General Pineda, if he were ia a
position TO do could carry near all Leon at his back
10 bid him welcome. His return would be more like
that of Napoleon from Elba than as q monster from
whom everybody would fee.
How can the government OF the United States
bring him under the surveillance Of the neutrality
laws when he IL not infringing on them7 How can