The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-12-19

All cOmmerclaI nations, as well as IflenuS
of Republican institutions, have reason to
regret the frequent local disturbances
which occur in some of the States Of Co.
lumbia. Nothing has occurred, however,
to affect the harmony and cordial friend
ship which has, for several years, existed
between that youthful and vigorous Ro-
public and our own,
Negotiations are pending with view
to the survey and construction OF ship
canal across tho Is:hmus of DSrien, under
the auspices of the United States. |
hope to be able to submit tho result of
these negotiations to the Senate during
the present session. The very liberal
treaty which was entered into last year
by the United States with Nicaragua has
been ratified by the latter Republic.
Costa Rica, with the earnestness Of q
friendly neighbor, solicits reciprocity Of
trade which l commend to the considera-
ton Of Congress. The convention caused
by the treaty between the United States
and Venxuela, in July, 1865, for the mu-
tual adjustment Of claims, has been held
and communications have been received
at tho Department Of State that the here
tofore recognized law having been impart-
ed under circumstances which promise
durability, it has been recognised. |
have been reluctantly obliged to ask OK
PLANTATION and satisfaction for injuries
committed by the President Of tho Re.
public of Hayti. The political condition
of Hayti ano ST. Domingo is very unsat-
isfaetory and painful. The abolition of
slavery which has been carried into effect
throughout the Island and the entire
West Indies, except the Spanish islands
of Cuba and Porto Rico, has been fol-
lowed by a profound popular conviction
of the rightfulness of republican institu-
tions, and an intense desire TO secure
them. The attempt to establish republics
there encounters many obstacles, most Of
which may result from a long indulgence
of colonial supineness and dependence
upon European monarchical powers.
While the United States has on all occa-
sions profeSsed-a decided unwillingness
that any part of this continent or of its
adjacent islands shall be made . theater
for new establishment Of monarehical
power, little has been done by the United
States on the other hand to attach the
communities by which we are surrounded
to our own country, or TO lend even .
moral support to the efforts they are 30
resolutely and constantly making to secure
republican institutions for themselves
1t is indeed question of grave conside-
ration whether our recent and present
example is not calculated TO check the
growth and expansion Of these principles
and make these communities distrust if
not dread Government which at will
consigns to military domination States
that are part of our Federal Union, and
while ready 10 resist any attempt By other
nations to bring to this hemisphere the
monarchical institutions Of Europe, as
sumes to establish over . large portion Of
its people 3 rule more absolute, harsh and
tyrannical than any known to civilized
PoWerS-
The acquisition Of Alaska was made
with a view to extend national jurisdic-
tion and republican principles on the
American hemisphere. Believing that a
further step could be taken in the same
direction, | last year entered into treaty
with the King of Denmark for the pur-
chase Of the islands Of ST. Thomas and
ST. John on the best terms then attaina-
bic, and with the express consent Of the
people of these islands. This treaty is
still under consideration in the Senate, =
new covenant having been entered into
with Denmark, enlarging the time fixed
for the final ratification Of the original
treaty. A comprehensive national policy
would seem to sanction the acquisition
and incorporation into our Federal Union
Of the several adjacent continental and
insular communities as speedily as il can
be done peacefully, lawfully and without
any violation of national justice, faith or
honor. Foreign possessions or control of
these communities has hitherto hindered
their growth and impaired the influence
of the United States. Chronic revolution
and anarchy there would be equally inju-
rious. Each Of them, when firmly estab-
lished as an independent Republic, or
when incorporated in the United States,
would be new source of strength and
power. Shaping my Administration to
these principles, I have on no occasion
lent support to the plea Of republican
propagandism or national extension or
aggrandizement. The necessity, how.
ever, of suppressing such unlawful move
ments, clearly indicates a duty which
rests upon us of adapting our legislative
action to the new circumstances of the
decline Of European monarchial power or
influence and the increase Of American
ideas and interests and sympathies. Ii
cannot be long before it will become neo-
essary for this Government to lend some
effective aid to the solution of the po-
litical and social problems which are con-
tinually kept before the world by the Re-
publicans of the island Of ST. Domingo,
and which are now disclosing themselves
more distinctly than heretofore in the
island of Cuba. The subject is oom-
mended 10 your consideration with all
the more earnestness because am salts
fed the time has arrived when even so
great a proceeding as proposition for
annexation of the two Republics Of the
island of st. Domingo would not only re-
ceive the consent of the people interested,
but would also give satisfaction to all
foreign nations. l am aware that upon
the question of extending our possessions,
it is argued by some that our political
system cannot successfully be applied to
an acre more extended than our CONT
nent, but the conviction is rapidly gain
ing oyrnund In the American mind that