Daily National Democrat

Sniktaw on Nicaragua and Patriotism.

The Assembly lately had a gassy debate on the following resolution:

Resolved, That the interests of our whole country demand that the Government of the United States should, if possible, acquire by negotiation or other fair means such portion of the Territory of Nicaragua as is necessary to secure for all time to come a free transit of the Isthmus of Nicaragua.

Watkins, of Siskiyou, "spread himself" on it in the following strain of exquisite ridicule as reported in the Union:

I am opposed to the discussion of this question. If it is in order, I move that all these questions be referred to every man who is an aspirant for Congress. [Laughter.] I am opposed to the discussion of any such questions. There is an old maxim, "When in Rome do as Romans do," and, as patriotism, filibustering, etc., seem to be the order of the day, I am going to count myself in.—[Laughter.] The gentleman from San Joaquin (Mr. Laspeyre) wanted to know if we—we the American people—"must lie supinely on our backs?" I would like to know what other position we are going to lie in? [Laughter.] He also says: "What are the French fleet doing in the Atlantic Ocean?" It's my opinion they are laying off for a chance to shoot into our ships, and I would respectfully say to the French or any other nation, that if they only shoot into our ships two or three times, we don't care; but when they come to five and six, let'em look out for earthquakes. [Laughter.] Sir, the car of progress is traveling fast. Already it has scaled the peaks of the Alleghanies, fearlessly crossed the Rocky Mountains and the snow-clad Sierras, and is hastening on to lave its burning axle in the waters of the calm Pacific. That once dwindling institution known as the American flag is now known as the greatest institution in the world; and that same little band that so bravely fought at Bunker Hill, Saratoga and Yorktown have—[Remainder of sentence was inaudible.] Fellow citizens—[laughter.] It is no wonder we are so pugilistic in our duty, when we take into consideration that we're able to lick the balance of creation, singly, because we've got more money. A man that has a hundred thousand dollars in his pocket feels that he could whip most anything, and a nation with swelling resources is bound to throw over any nation not so rich as they are. It is on this principle that we licked the Injun in the days of yore; and we intend to keep on licking them till we have finished them or exterminated ourselves, [Laughter.] We may, perhaps, save a few for specimens. Before I go any further I would suggest that we pass a bill to declare war. Well, the people may ask if the car of progress can not be stopped. I say, most emphatically, that it can't. You can't stop it; all we can do is to step aside and give it a chance. Our destiny is to rule the sea and go careering over space; we're bound to annex creation sometime. Taking, perhaps, the same idea that the quaker gave his son: "Get money honestly, if you can; but, anyhow, get money"—if we can't get Nicaragua by peaceable means, we'll knock her down and drag her out. [Laughter.]