New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-12
SAN DOMINGO.


We have at length the gratifying intelligence
from San Domingo that the Spanish troops, in
accordance with bill proposed by the Spanish
Ministry in January of the present year. and
since ratified by the Cortes, have been with
drawn from the island, and that the indie
|pendence of the Dominican Republic has been
completely restored. The Spanish troops left
on March 30; a few days before, on March %,
the National Convention had terminated Its
IaborS for the reorganization of the Government.
For the future of the American continent and
its position among the civilized nations OF the
world, the issue of the Dominican War OF in-
dependence can have no consequences like those
which will follow the restoration of the Union OF
these States. Still the triumph of the Domlnl'
cans will be hailed with cordial sympathy IN
this country. 1t is the most notifying rebuke
which has yet been administered to the Eu-
ropean schemes of conquest on this continent,
and both here and in Europe it will be regarded
as foreshadOwing the final issue OF all similar
attempts.
Nothing, in fact, could be more humiiating
and complete than the defeat of the Spanlards.
The Dominican Republic, the eastern portion OF
the island of Hayt, comprising nearly three
|ffths of the island, has an area of 1850 square
miles, and il, therefore, not quite so large
as the State of West Virginia. It's population
is differently estimated from 100 900 TO 2OO, 900.
and il, therefore, about equal to that OF Rhode
Island Spain has an area about double that oil
|Ncw.York, Pennsylvania and New-Jersey COM
bined, aud its population is about eqnal to one
half of the population of the United States 1t
had, in 1868, an army Of about 23i. 900 men.
Ever since President Santana turned traitor
to his country, and sold San Domingo to Spain,
the war has been carried on by the invaders
with unrelenting vigor. Ship after ship has
been sent there with reenfOrcements for the
Spanish Army, and the papers OF Spain and
Cuba have never ceased to represent the op-
position of the Dominicans to the Spanish rule
Ms contemplate insurrection which 1t would
not take long to overcome.
The results widely differ from the anticipa'
tons and predictions of the Spaniards. Not only
have they been confined since the middle OF
1868 TO the occupation OF few seaport towns,
not only have they now been compelled to with
draw from the island altogether and formally to
recognize its Independence, but. in the bill in
the Ministry propose this to the CorteS, they
admit that they have been fighting tor the an
nexation to Spain of a country whose In
habitants were unanimously opposed to Their
dominion, and that now the resources OF Spain
are exhausted and insufficient to continue the
struggle any longer
One circumstance in this successful war OF an
American Republic against European aggres-
sion deserves special attention. or the popu'
ation of San Domingo, one-tenth only claim To
be whites; the rest are Of African descent or OF
mixed African or European. II X, therefore,
the Americans of African descent who, among
the populations Of Latin America, have set a
noble example Of devotion to American institu-
tions and of heroic bravery in their defense.
Who will hereafter dispute the claims of such a
race TO American citizenship