Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-04-06
From the Philadelphia Press.
The Dominican Kepublic--Spaninh Aiubi-
ton.

ton.
The stirring "appsaI to The nsticn," issued
by some refugee Dotnncans, which recently
appeared in The IIaytien papers, and winch
we published in The Press" Yesterday, is Il
strong confirmation OF the tuner that had
previously reached our country. ii,at Spain in
tended TO resume possession Of the D"nli-
nican Republic. This is the first step, ii is
supposed BY some, towards her recovery Ct
portion of tie immense American posses
Sions which, not many years ago, belorged to
her. History furnishes many examples Of the
decline and fall Of nations, but few in which,
after they We're SO rear the verge Of deStruc.
ton as Spain has been, and had suffered so
many stunning and mortal blows, new life and
vgor was awakened. and an ambition for
the renewal of ancient strength and glory
created. Ii il he indeed true, that fully rcali.
zing how muck power protracted career OF
peace and prosperity has infused into her au-
cient veins she IS anxious again 10 extend
her donnion$, there is no spnr against which
she Could, with more hope Of immediate sue
cess and advantage, direct her operations, than
tie Dominican Republic. Ii consists Gf about
,hrceiiiths OF the eastern portion Of Tic island
of lIayt, and has T. population Of about
one hundred and thirty-siX thousand, Of whom
or,e-tenth claim to be whites, and the Tcluain-
der are Of African or Of mixed African and
European descent Its area is estimated at
1880 square miles, ard the soil IS exceedingly
fertile, while gold silver and iron abound in
its mountain districts. The language of the
people is Spanish, and the whole country was
a Spanish colony .Vr many years preceding
1885, when it was cedc1 20 France. IN 1865
it again voluntarily sought the protection Of
Spain, as refuge from the tyranny Of Dcssa.
liens, and in the next year the D0lninicans
declared their independence, and abolished
slavery. Their condition was, from that period
until 1922, an unsettled one; but then the
whole island was united under vne government,
with Boyer as President. In 1914, the Do
minicans becoming dissatisfied with the cieva-
ton Of Gen. Riyicre to the Presidency, seeded,
and again formed separate government, under
the auspices Of Pedro Santuna. Repeated ei
forts OF Solouguc, the late ruler ct llayti, TO
reconoucr them, which We're aided in part, 10y
the trcachery OF mcn in whom the DaIunicaES
had imposed Implicit confidence, and trusted
with high stations, were unsuccessful. The
sympathieS OF Santana ware, ut one period,
very strongly with the United States, and lc
negotiated, III 1854, treaty, (Which was never
ratified, however, that 1t Is supposed provided
for the ccsSion to this country Of the bay Of
SANTANA. On several occasions Bdcz, his rival
was, for short time, entrusted with the gov
eminent Of the country. but he WAS never able,
for any considerable period, to maintain his
position, aid the rule OF Santana has only been
subjected to d few interruptions during the last
sixteen years. IL is now charged THAI he has
virtually sold the Republic to Spain, and that
country would doubtless reward him hand
somely for surrcndering it. because its acqui-
stion would add greatly to Spanish prestige,
and establish precedent for other re.annexa.