The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-09-12

This is walker Day. in the Central
American republic of Nicaragua, and
commentaries the hfty-third anniver-
sary of the execution of William Walk
er, the American filibuster who was
the chief actor in a conspiracy for the
benevolent assimilation of Central
America. Secretary Bryan's project
for establishing what would amount
to a professionals over Nicaragua, has
revived interest in the career OF
Walker, the prince of Central Ameri-
can soldiers of fortune, whose career
ended ingloriously when, backed
against an adobe wall, he faced fir
ing squad at TruxilIe, Honduras, on
Sept. IL, 1860. Walker Day. was
long observed in Nicaragua and Hon
duras by anti-American dem onstra-
tfons and the hatred of the 'Yankis"
for which the filibuster was RESPONSE
BILE still persists in many parts of Cen
trail America.
Walker was a native of Nashville,
Tenn, and for a time was editor of
a newspaper in New Orleans. He
Joined the gold rush to California in
1850, and three years later he organ
ICED an expedition to invade the Mexi-
can State of Sonora, but was repulsed.
AT about the same time Col. H. L.
Kinney had led a band of armed emf
grants to the Mosquito Coast of
Nicaragua, and, under the specious
possess it, and appealing to the Mon
roe doctrine for justification, estab-
1ished am Ann eriean colony there. Kin
ney, hearing of Walkers exploit, in
vited him to try his fortunes in Mica
ragua, and this invitation was second
ed by CtsteIlon, Nicaraguan general
who was then leading a revolution
against President Chamerra. Walker
immediately left San Francisco with
500 adventures in his train, and ar
rived in Nicaragua in the Summer of
1855. When the Nicaraguan regulars
advanced on them, Walker and his
men fled, and escaped in a schooner.
He soon returned, and the American
settlers organized a republic with
as president. Walker, after a few
military victories, captured Granada,
and proclaimed General Rivas, a, Mica
raguan, as president Treating Kin
ney with contempt. Walker drove him
from the country.
Walkers president" Rivas, was re-
cognized as such by the United States
minister, John H. Wheeler, and by a
British consul The other Central
Americans, alarmed at Walkers sue
cess in usurping the Nicaraguan gov
eminent. declared war against him.
The Costa Ricans marched against
him, but were defeated, and the SOL
der of fortune became extremely ar
rogant- The 'gray-eyed man of des-
tiny had been the real ruler from
the first, but now he elected Rivas
from office, and became president in
name as well as in fact. The govern
ment at Washington fastened to re-
cognize the Walker government and
Walkers minister to Washington,
Will, a priest, was cordially received
by President Pierce. Walker ruled
with a high hand for a brief period
when he was overthrown by the COM
bined armies of Central America, and
surrendered the remnant Of his army
to Rivas, his former imam Friday"
Commodore Davis, of the United States
navy. happened to be at hand, and
Walker was taken away unhurt. At
New Orleans Walker fitted out an
other expedition, but was captured by
the United States authorities, only to
be speedily freed by order of Presi-
dent Buchanan. He was again seized
when he sailed from Mobile, but was
soon released, and returned to Central
America He captured the fort at
Truxil1o, Honduras, but was soon
made a prisoner, and, after a brief
trial, was shot