The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-17
NICARAGUA.

Pence and Order In the Rcpublic-PresiLent
Guzman's Observation-Disclosures Nica-
raguans-FRilure Of the Transit Company
Material Development Of the Country.
MANAGUA, Nov. A. 1868.
This republic is earning much credit by the good
example she is setting to her Spanish American sis
tiers. With constitution that at the proper mo-
ment vests the President with ample power to sup.
press disturbances, the Inhabitants enjoy liberty and
protection to an extent really envable to some OF
our own United states. AS to religion there is hero
what we might call an established church-the
Roman Catholc-but neither the laws nor any
prejudice on the part OF the people hinder
the practice OF any other mode OF adoring
the Almighty. In fact the tendency Of the inhabit-
ants Is towards indifference rather than to bgotry
The Catholic clergy are losing their influence ana II
the prelates do not exert themselves to elevate
1t, it will inevitably fall into contempt an extreme
really lamentable.
President Guzman has thus FAR succeeded in plac-
ing his government beyond the reach Of any effective
opposition. BY allowing Q most complete freedom
Of speech and the press he keeps political excite
ment at Q harmless height. Here we have q most
interesting and useful practical illustration OF the
effectiveness Of those safety valves OF political ma
chinery. President Guzman has confirmed the high
friends. He has proved clever statesman During the
first months Of his administration the liberty Of the
press which he restored in the country was abused
to shocking degree, the President himself being
among the first Victims Some Of his friends urged
him to use his police powers to restrain such
Of liberty; but he firmly resisted every persuasion
rather temptation to deviste from his deliberately
adopted policy He has not yet been known to reply
or authorize any answer to any OF the personal
attacks aimed at him. He seems not to take notice
Of them; and his sagacity leads him 30 far to-
At occasions plead for opposition In general express
ing his opinion that opposition is useful to the govern
itself well as to the country at large He al
eges that opposition throws light in the path OF the
servants Of the nation and makes them more mind
ful Of their duties. Should M. Guzman continue
improving his policy at the ratio he has done since
his inauguration in March, 1857, his administration
will form remarkable epoch IN the records OF
Central America. The history Of this period viii be
worth writing and reading IL would be fun Of
lessons useful both to the people and their rulers
The election for members OF the new Congress
that Is to assemble in January next has Just taken
place In all the districts excepting one Massaya. AZ
the people allowed the fullest exercise OF their
sovereign franchise there was no occasion for any
disturbance. Disorder generally ensued In former
times the government attempting TO use coercion.
As consequence Of such free election and ac-
tal there will be In the next Congress larger pro-
portion OF worthy members and smaller one OF
mere automatic OF power. The latter fact does not
seem TO cause President Guzman any uneasi-
ness. He has not been as yet charged with at
tempting to exercise any control over the law
making branch OF government. On the contrary,
his uniform shows tendency to circumscribe
his action to the narrowest bounds OF the executive
sphere. lie seems to be perfectly aware that within
those limits patriotic and enlightened President
win find sufficient good work TO do TO crafty noble
General Martinez continues residing in this city,
though lie owns o splendid house at Leon. From
Managua ne can more ss1e s 70 ms
another the Pacific Ocean and another near the
town OF San Marcos. The General leads private
and quiet hfe He has not been altogether exempt
from ennoyances by which the lower class OF his
political enemies pretend to render bitter his days OF
retirement Nevertheless he bears the ndignity with
magnanlmous indifference. This conduct endears
him more to his true friends, while at the same
time 1t commences him to the respect OF those
by mean passions. There Ia no doubt
that General Martinez committed grave errors
during his C9sarian administration; but IL 10 equally
true thai he did much good TO his country. When
In 1861 he took the reils OF government he found
only mass OF ruins scatse, ,s debris 81 society
and Of nllbusterism From such frghtful chaos Gen.
eral Martinez organizcd the prosperous orderly aud
chosen successor, President Guzman. 1t viii be re-
membered that Mr.. GuEmans presidency Is the work
OF GENERAL Mariners iron Will ana II the present
honor and praise OF Its dispensstion is no Others
but General Nartlnez's due. We need not be
surprised II his important services are stu
frequently undervalued Great men must not ex.
pect justice but from posterity Some people regard
the retired chieftain IS 1gure VI the PAST ana 81
the past only. / am apt to think otherwise. Nor do
consider him "fallen power but rather an mac
tive one for the present The General has large
party. Nor Is his strength derived only from his
party within the boundaries Of Nicaragua The gov
erDments and the most influential people In the
other sections OF Central America are accustomed tn
look upon him a. the most reliable sup
port Of peace and public order In Nicaragya,
and, what Is more significant, 40 their most
Trustworthy friend. Nothing has been said against
President Guxnan In this respect; but he 10 held az
Jet as on trial, while General Martinezs ability aud
ten years to the satisfaction OF his allies. His solid
principles and GOODNESS Of elaboration have been
further tested during the last two years. On one
side he has been provoked the other he has been
urged to revolution. He has firmly resisted ana has
now demonstrated beyond suspicion or question that
whether In sincc or out OF once he IL man OF order
and q lever OF peace
General Jerez, the martyr Of Central American
unity, ls also residing In this capital lie 10 engaged
with that other patriot, Llcenciad, Don FRANCISCO
Zamora in the formation OF the Code OF Procedure
and OF the Penal Code. Both OF the above named
patriots have declined high executive appointments
and have preferred their actual less snowy employ
meat, In which they are rendering to their fellow
citizens q service OF vast Importance. General
Jerez 10 repor cd as Senator for the Department OF
Leon. such choice Is held a. one OF many guaran-
tees 70 the hope that the next Congress Will do some
thing for the good Of the people. The General Is
very much loved here In his new place Of residence,