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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
delusion - its fragrance death. - They see the christal stream of knowledge rolling in refreshing waves before them; and yet in all the agonies of thirst, they dare not place their lips to the waters. And wherefore? Because they are told that the Americans have poisoned the fount for their destruction. - Unhappy people! Perfidious ad- visers! How different from all this has been the policy and conduct of my Government towards Central America and its people. - The United States wete not only the first nation to recognize the Independence of these States; but when the Republican spirit which had inspired their revolution was threatened with extinction by the Holy Alliance - when the crowned heads of Europe had leagueged [sic] together for the purpose of ingrafting their monarchical prin- ciples upon the country, and directing its destiny, one of the purest of American patriots and philanthropists - President Monroe - vir- tually threw the guantlet of defiance to those audacious conspirators against the liberties of man, and told them, through his Message to Congress, that the American Continent should be dedicated to Amer- ican principles, and to American freedom ;-a noble and generous sen- timent which found, at that time, an echo in the heart of every true- born American; and which still continues to guide and direct the feel- ings and policy of the whole nation towards this country. Indeed, there is no feeling more uniYersal in the United States than the desire for the progress and prosperity of Central. America; and in consonance with this feeling, the government of the United States, has always endeavored to cultivate the most amicable and friendly relations with them. She has not only treated them with respect, kindness and proper consideration; but she has carefully abstained from all inter- ference or dictation in their internal affairs, as well as from every measure that could possibly excite their jealousy, offend their pride, or effect their rights and interests. She has never depreciated their intellect - insulted their weakness - promoted dissentions among them - invaded their Sovereignty - seized upon their Islands, or reared up, in opposition to any of them, a fungus King in derision of their character and contempt of their rights. Nothing of this. On the contrary, she has been the champion of their territorial rights - have uniformly advised them to union and peace; and as the destruc-, tion of the Confederation - so unwisely counseled - has been the great fountain of their calamities, so my government is now recom- mending its reestablishment as the great, if not the only remedy for existing evils, and the sure foundation for their future prosperity, progress, power and dignity as a people. Such has always been and is still the policy and practice of my government towards Nicaragua, as well as towards all the Central American States; and if Nicaragua ~ould but assume the necessary energy to break the fetters which a selfish, cruel and mmatural policy has rivited upon her intellect - if she could but emancipate herself from those deplorable and degrading influences whose Anacondo folds are stifling the better elements of her nature, and sufl'oca1ing whatever is lofty in sentiment and noble in action - then, indeed, would she be able to see, and know, and feel from the very nature of the different counsels given her, and the comluct pursued towards her, who are aml who are nol her true friends.
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