The Washington herald., 1910-08-28
WALKER, THE GREATFILIBUSTER OF NICARAGUA

is regarded in the United States Of to-
day, it is interesting 20 read the &C
counts OF Walkers reception there in the
press of that period He was treated as
conquering hero. The city was deco
rated with bunting, flags, and banners.
Dinners, banquets, and public meetings
were arranged in his honor. and he was
greeted with cheers and acclamations
wherever he went.
Walker demanded that the United
States should recognize and protect him
in his rights. and he went 10 Washing
ton. asking this and protesting against
the treatment he had received at the
hands Of Capt. Davis. but he obtained
no satisfaction. and a few weeks saw
him on HIS way back, with money. re-
cruits and new enthusiasm, 10 Mica
ragua- He had scarcely arrived In that
country. however. before he was taken
a prisoner by Commodore Pauiding. L.
s. N. and brought back to the United
States. Pauidings course in the matter
was not upheld by President Buchanan.
Again Walker was free, and again he
started for Nicaragua On this last ven
ture he was captured by the British
men-cs war Icarus. commanded BY Capt.
SALMON, who turned him over 20 the Hon
duran forces. acting as allies 10 the
Nicaraguans
II Is said by his historians that had
Walker demanded the protection Of the
British captain as a citizen OF the United
States. Il would have been granted. but
when asked If he would appeal as an
American HIS reply was: THE President
Of Nicaragua Is citizen Of Nicaragua"
His execution was accordingly ordered.
and he was shot. Still living after he
fell under the shots Of his executors, one
Of them gave him the coup de grace
And so he died. the brave, intrepid
fanatic. a Nicaraguan and a Roman
Catholic. His last words were, II die
a Roman Catholic. In making war upon
you al the invitation Of the people of
Ruatan I was wrong. OF your people I
ask pardon. I accept my punishment
my death Will be for the good Of society.
Had Notable Followers.
In Walkers Falange we find many not
able names. Joaquin Miller. the poet OF
the Sierras, was one Of these soldiers
Of fortune. and Capt Fred Townsend
Ward, who subsequently served with
Chinese Gordon and led the Ever Vic
torious Army that put down the Tai
Ping rebellion. was another OF those re-
doubtables. the most remarkable army
In many ways that ever fought for a
desperate and forlorn cause. No one
who fought under Walker but admired
him, and despite his fanaticism. despite
his championship Of a cause that is hate
full 10 the civilization Of the day, no one
who has read the testimony OF those
who served under him but admires and
respects the "Gray-eyed Man Of Des-
tiny" who neither gambled. drank. nor
swore, who respected all women and
punished those who treated them with
disrespect. who was as honest as the
day, and whose belief in himself and his
mission remained mistaken until the
end.
Central America does not share this
admiration for her old foe. and how he
is regarded by the republics who went
10 Nicaragua's aid when she was dom
mated by the American Is best expressed
by the statue in Costa Rica. which de-
picts that republic as young woman
with her foot upon the neck OF the great
fllibuster. for a flibuster he was when
all is-tod, that. and nothing more.
This statue, representing the debase-
ment Of their countryman. IS hateful 10
all Americans. but II should be borne in
mind that the Central Americans had
abundant reason for the feeling they had
for the man and have for his memory.
for the dream Of his life was their sub
lection
Planned 10 Subjugate All.
He had planned. according to a con-
fession made 10 one OF his companions in
arms, c. ". Doubleday, to subtuTate
not only Central America. but Mexico.
and to bend them 10 his will. His tempo
rary success was to demonstrate 10 the
heirarchial oligarchy their necessity for
his aid, by which he would In the end
WELD the temporal power over Central
America and Mexico in unison with the
policy and influence OF the mother
church. Then faction and church com
bined would conquer a unity OF power
over the Central America states. with
himself. Of course, as the central figure.
Once united the old boundary question
were any necessary-would furnish pre-
texts for adding Mexico 70 the Central
American empire. His motto was Moth
ing succeeds Ike success" and hts
scheme included the re-estsblishment OF
slavery in a population. the majority OF
whom were Of mixed African blood. and
an afiliation with the church
or the death Of this extraordinary
man, Mr.. Doubleday says:
Gen. Walker met his death with the
calm courage which had been an emf
nent characteristic of every act OF bis
life. He was the bravest among brave
men, and his freedom from vulgar. COM
monplace vices exalted him In lie in
the estimation Of his adherents and
friends" In conclusion. Mr.. Doubleday
quotes:
he wac a BRICK and brave as bear
As brave as Nevada grizzlies are
A dash Of sadness In his air
Born maybe Of bis oycrcare.
Speak III who viii Of him. he died
IN all disgrace
simply say he was my friend
When strong Of hand and fair Of fame.
Dead and disaraced. I stand the sarne
To him, and 50 shall 70 the end
-----------------
His Discipline,
From the Chicago Record Herald.
Pop. you must take this child In hand.
L..