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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
sponsible for all the consequences of a war she had so unjustifiably prnvoked with a friendly nation which has always been, and is still her only shield and protector. - · • I say her shield and protector; because I believe that very few, if any, with the exception of Nicaragua herself, will doubt the fact, that if it had not been for the bold and noble stand which }lr }lonroc, at an early period, took in favor of Spanish Amer- ican liberty and independence, the British power would have long since been established throughout this country; and Nicaragua, instead of having the privilege, as an independent 1iation of ncgociating treaties with the United States, would be at this very moment, a degraded Colony of England, governed by the bayonet of that nation and dra- gooned into labor for her agramlisement. - Even now, if the "MONROE DocTRIXE'' were to be repudiated by the United States and Central America should be thrown open to British conquest, one year would scarcely elapse before the banner of that nation would be seen waving over erery strong hold of this country: and if the people dared to mur- mur at the injustice of the act, or repel the agression, they would soon find themselws in the same category of the suffering Seapoys. Al- ready has she wrested from HONDURAS some of her most important Island~; and at this very moment is she seeking to do the same thing towards Nicaragua with respect to the ~losquito territory; and yet Nicaragua seems quite contented with the operation. And why? Be- cause it is only British dcpradation - nothing more. England is her friend ! It is American aggression that she dreads- the aggressions of a nation which has never committed any - nor meditates any - and which is at this very moment vindicating those very rights of Nicaragua, which Xicarngna dare not virnlicate for herself. She wants protection against a nation whose friendship is the breath of her existence - the Egis of her nationality. Let the United States abandon Nicaragua to her fate - leave her to take care of herself in the best way she can - and what would be her history two years hcuce? I fear to contem- plate it; yet it may be easily divined by any 011e who comprehends the spirit of the age, and the natural progress of things. - And such is the nation that Nicaragua is threatening with the vengeance of GREAT- BHITAIX. But she threatens in vain. England and Amer- ica, in all probahil ity will never go to war again; and especially will they newr fight upon so false an issue as that which Nicaragua pre- sents. The interests of the two countries h:we become too intirnatelv blcn(le1l; and the ties of consigninity fsic] have twined themseh-es too closely around their hearts in latter days, to admit of any further dis- scntiorn: between them. The family fueds of the past are now for- gotten; both have learnt something from experience; and while the one is too wise to war without a caui-e, the other is too just to offer any. We all concede that Great Britain is a powerful nation; and that the world owes her much. She has been the rcsurector of modrrn letters - the ·pioneer in ci,·ilization - the foremost in knowledge - the boldest in enterprise - and the bulwork of civil Liberty. - Her govrrnmeut is a to1rer of strellght; and her resources, the rod of )liclas. - EYery sea is foroughed by her prows and every clime is rohrd in lwr fabrics. Hl'l' po1n•r is felt in all quarters of the
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