The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-10

| Gen. walkers possession. mere NO
middle passage for traitors. nor the subject
Of their treacbery. The duty Of Gen.
Walker was plainly written in the constitu-
tionsl duplicity d the people with whom be
was acting, Hundreds OF American lives,
and the happiness Of thousands Of others,
were dependent on the frmness with which
he met this psrGdy and deceit nor was
their confidence misplaced. Orders were
Immediately issued for Corral's arrest and
Imprisonment, until it was convenient that
9 court martial should try him for bis high
misdemean0r.
This court assembled few days after,
and was composed Of an equal number Of
native and American officers. who after q
fair aDd. impartial trial, found Gen. Corral
guilty oil high treason, and sentenced him to
be shot, which sentence was executed the
next morning at daylight by q detachment
OF the second regiment OF native infantry.
Corral met his mcrited fste. with great com
posure. This act OF Gen. Walkers has
been cepsured probably more than any 9th
or one, and not least by those who are
wholly unacquainted with the character and
disposition Of these Centre Spsniards, and
who do not properly appreciate tho dangers
by which he and bis comrades in arms were
surrounded. This was neither 0 proper
subject, nor occasion for lenisncy for had be
pardoned Corral, II would have only paved
the way for repetition Of such overt acts,
II not by himself, which Is by no means i'm
probable, by other restless consprators.
who would have construed the pardon, not
to tho true motives Of pity and mercy. but
to the ignoble and unworthy ones, Of fear
and cowardice.
On The 18th Of January, 1856, President
Rivas despatched Capt. Sutter. (of Cali
iornia,) ald.de-camp to Gen. Walker and
Col. scblssenger, ambassadors 10 the
Republic Of Costa Rica, TO adjust amieably
the difficulties that existed between that
government and Nicaragua, but who upon
their arrival at San Jose the Capital OF Cos
ts Rlca. were received by that Government
In u most ungracious manner and informed
that 20 such authority 10 Nicaragua a. the
Rivas Walker Government was recog.
nized by Costa RIGA, and dismissed them
la the most contemptuous nanner.
Upon the refusal Of Costa RIGA to &C.
knowledge tho Rivas Walker Government,
Nicaragua boldly threw down the gauntlet
OF defiance, and declared war against that
power. When this declaration OF war was
announced 10 tho soldisry, II was received
With the widest demonstrations OF Joy
They were about 10 be led, ~ they were
told, into . province whose richpess and
beauty were unparalleled, even In The bloom.
ing glories Of the tropics, whose climate
was Ices excessively hot, aud therefore much
more healthy. and tho wealth Of which was
equal 10 It's vsrnal munifcencc.
such dreams and vagaries that lesped
through tho prolific brain OF the naughty
and brave Pizsrro. In bis invasion OF Peru,
and Cor,ez IN bis reduction OF Mexico, were
again revived 10 the minds OF the enthusss.
tic and mercuriAl Americans, and their
blood coursod vigorously through their veins
when they knew that an army Of Invasion
would soon be ordered to this new scene Of
American proves, but above all, victory
was certain 10 porch npon their standard,
for the "man oil destiny" himself would lead
them to this new Edorado. Tho ultimate
result OF which would be tho consolidation
Of the five Republics Of Central America
into Que grand confederation under Ameri-
can auspices. But their bright vision Of fame
was ephemeral, and all Of their magnificent
hopes were cloudcd, when Il was announced
that, instead Of their iavorite commander, Col
Schlcssengor would command the expedition
of invasion.
In making this appointment, in return for
the ignominy cast upon him by Costa Rics,
doubtless Gen. Walker allowed bis passion
to override his prudence. Schlesenger was
u Hungarian Jew, and very much dslikcd
by his companions-in- arms partly on account
OF his religion. and partly because rumor
had assigned him the somewhat equivocal
hooors of having voluntarily expatriated
himself, for the reason that in MI evil hour
his avaricc seluced him into the dangerous
pleasure Of subscribing some other than his
own name 10 u bank cisYss, but 10 crown
nil, his physical rs well as moral
courage was doubted, But b. these things
us they may, the appointment certainly gave
serious offence 10 nine tenths oi the troops
destined 10 serve under his command. This
dissatisfaction certainly did not add TO the
eflicieoey Of his corps, Confidence in a
commander rs brave and int.epid soldier.
n we'll as an honest and incorruptibe man,
renders on the battle field an army superior
to twice its numerical force without thsse
great auxillarns, ani often contributes more
to a victory than whole park OF artillery.
When too late 10 remedy the error Gen.
Walker discovered the fatality OF this. TO
say the least very lnjudieioas appointment.
an appointment equallei in shor, sightedness
ouly by that Of Parker II French. as min.
ister To Washington. q few months previous.