New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-01
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

tue labOTs OF plots monk, Las Casasr was lAed
upon the continent and islands Of new world
system which has cursed it for centuries and
NAV curse it for centuries to come ST. Do
mnqo, as Hayti was called after it lost its first
Spanish name of .HisPauiola only iity-four miles
from Cuba, and second only to that island in
size and natural wealth of all the islands OF those
seas, was once known as the "Garden OF the
Antilles" At the time of the breaking out OF
the French Revolution, it was divided almost
equally into two colonies, a French and Span
ISL; and the rich aud ordly white proprietOrs of
the former embraced with enthusiasm and pas
sion. as the masters Of slaves have elsewhere
done, the principle of liberty-libery and equality,
that il, for men who were the owners of negroes.
1t required however, only very few years for the
enthusiasm and passion to penetrate downward
through the lower strata Of society, even TO the
lowest. In 1891, the French National Assembly
decreed the civil freedom of oil "persons OF
"color mixed blOed-born of free parents
in 1898, universal freedom was proclaimed to the
slaves who had already achieved their freedoms
in 1895, the Spanish colony was coded to
France; aud year later, TOussaint TOyerture
negro, and FIVE years before plantation slave
was proclaimed Commander Chief Under his
wise, peaceful and energetic administration, the
beautiful land which, in the long struggle OF con-
tending races for the privilege, on the one hand
of holding slaves, and on the other, for the right
Of freedom from bondage, had lapsed into VIII
derness. was again made to blossom as the
rose. The emancipated but ignorant blacks
were not permitted to indulge in The mis-
taken belief that liberty means license (;
but slaves, who had been still further cor
rupted by being made soldiers were reduced
to order and compelled to systematic labor.
Commerce and agriculture revived; schools were
established; marriage was introduced and made
sacred; civil government was rendered system
attic, strong, and respectable and in six years
st. Domingo had become more prosperous and
more promising than ever before. But In 1901
Napoleon determined TO reestablish Slavery in
the Island, and in 1902 attempted 1t. Toussaint
was captured by treachery. and sent to France,
where lie was starved TO death in q dungeons
but his people rose as one man against the tyr
amy that would again reduce them to Slavery;
an army of 10000 faded away before their re-
sistance and the deadly influence Of the climate,
and. two years later, Hayti was free aud inde.
pendent.
But no new Toussaint arose TO lead the people
in career of prosperity and honor Dessalines,
who soon proclaimed himself Emperor, reigned
only two years, when military conspiracy ended
his government and his life together. For the
next ten years, the history of the Island is a
series Of bloody struggles between different mill
tary chietains, in the course Of which the East
ern end since known as the Dominican Repub-
lie. fell again into the hands of Spain. From
this yoke the people of that section revolted and
declared themselves an independent republic; but
in ls22, President Boyer Of Hayti, taSiig ad-
vantage of the distractions and disturbances Of
his neighbOrs united the whole island once more
under single government, where it remained
till 1874. Boyer fled in 1912, before rev rev.
oution, and RiyitEe succeeded him. Against him,
in their turn, the people of tie East rose IN re-
volt. and declared.their Independence. He marched
against them with 10000 men, but was repulsed
with disgrace by Santana, for which act RiTiere's
own subjects banished him by new revolution.
ITeuceiorward the Eastern end Of the Island has
maintained its own Independence, first under
Santana, and then Zimenes, who attempted to
betray the Republic to Soulouque, late Emperor
OF Hayti, in 1919, but who was defeated by
Santana, recalled to the head of affairs by the
people. This short war ended Baez was chosen
President for four years, when Santana was
again called to the head OF affairs. IL was dur.
ing this Administration that treaty was ne
soliated with Col. or Mrs. Cszneau, by
which, it was supposed, the Bay Of SANTANA was
ceded 10 the United States. Bat The treaty,
Whatever it was, has never been ratified, nor
has the Republic ever been recognized by our
Government. The uBpopulari;! OF this act how.
ever, gave Baez the Presidency once more, I'll
a rev revolution in 1855, headed by Santana,
again depOsed him. The circle now seems CON-
pIete, aud Gomez round again as heretofore to
the assertion Of Spanish night 10 5er ancient
colony -
The Dominican Republic s abOu. three shiths
Of the whole Of the Island Of Hs!ti, and con.
tains population OF about l36, Gee, one-tenth Of
whom claim to be white. The significance Of
this last revolution We must await further intel
.gence before deciding upon. About twelve
years ago an important portion OF the people pro-
posed that the Republic should return TO It's old
condition Of Spanish colony, but Spain had then
,ther natter. in hand and declined the offer; and
t may be that the present movement has an IN
erpal rather than an external origia But, which.
'yer may be the case, the event has doubtless
,een fastened by the condition of things in this
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