Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1858-02-05
The Progressive Democracy and Gen.
william walker,

William walker,
We are democrats of the progressive
school, and we acknowledge as an article
of our particular faith, the firm belief
that it is the destiny ofour nation to car
ny democratic principles and democratic
institutions over this whole continent
But whilst we firmly believe in this great
mission of our race, and in this great
destiny for our country, we believe that
these great events viii be brought about
by just and honorable mems. We could
not look with pride or pleasure through
the vista of the future of our country.
if we believed her greatness was to be
achieved by murder, robbery, or opprcs-
sion Hitherto, no foul blot has stained
the page of our national history let us
see to it that our annals shall be equally
free from crime and dishonor in the fu
turc. We believe it is as much the in
torest and the duty of fiations as of in
dividuals to deal Justly with their neigh
bors; and we believe it is one of the ma
tional duties Of the United States to set
m example Of national integrity and JUS
tlcc to the rest of the world Whilst
We profess our firm belief in what are
generally considered ultra democratic
doctrines, we have no faith that either
the honor or the prosperity of our coun-
try will be promoted by the rowing ad-
ventures of Gen. VIM. Walker. We
have watched the movements of this
man for many years his expeditions all
commence and end in the same manner.
lie appeals to the ruling passions of our
adventurous young men, by promising
them wealth and glory if they will assist
HIM in overturning some government
with which our country is at peace -
Whilst his adventure is successful, he
appropriates all the wealth and honor to
himself, but when disaster and defeat
surround him he contrives means Of cs-
cape himself, whilst his deluled follow
crs arc consigned to untimely graves, or
hopeless poverty. lie Is ARRAYS anluchy, |
and on that account, if on no other, is
very poor material out of which to man
ufacturc hero. But that is not the |
worst part Of the story; lie is always on
the wrong side. He always loses the
confidence and support Of the people
whom he processes to liberate lie made !
a perfect failure in lower California. By
the assistance of Riyas he obtained pow
er in Nicaragua, but soon lost it all, and
when relieved by Captain Davis he did
not control any part of the country ex-
cept that within the reach of the guns of
his fort, and none of the natives were in
his army, he having to depend alone up
on the Americans for protection. 1t
sounds ridiculous to hear Walker called
the President Of Nicaragua, when it is
known nc has been taken by the mari
ners of a single sup from the midst of
his people, without one of thom Offering
to defend him; and when he again land
ed among his Nicaraguans not one of
them rallied to his standard.
The greatest admirer of Walker can
not point to any benefit he has conferred |
upon this or any other country. Tie has
deluded great many men to an untime-
ly death he has burned a few cities, and
killed many of the wrctched inhabitants |
of Central America, but what good has
he done? That is the question. Re
ilecting, conscientious men begin to rea-
son, and conclude that unlawful expedi- !
tons, which bring many miaerics upon
the people Of Central America, are not
the best means of converting them to an
abiding faith in our politics or religion
Burning their cities, and killing their
people, in time of peace, is not the best
or the surest way of making them our
friends and allies. Good men cannot
pray for the success Of such expeditions,
and prudent men have no faith in them
or their leaders. If willy politicians are
wishing to turn their sails to catch a
popular breeze, let them not mistake the
sery Impulses of few ardent and patri-
otto young men for the sober second
thought of the people The great mass
OF the American people believe that our
Laws and institutions can be extended
best and surest 10y justice to our neigh
bors, and by means of and through the
instrumentality of our national govern
ment. Georgia Fc}cral Union.