The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-12-12

venezuela has been subordinate, and
Q z Provisional lfoyernment .Ebaying
been iIistituted supd der cir ouuastances
which promise durability. it has been
favorabIy recoghi2ed. ! Ssr, aA l,.
/ have been reluctantly obliged to
ask explaRation and satisfnction for
national injuries contnitted by she
President of Hayti Tue political
and social condition OF therepublios
of Hayti and st. DOMINGO aud the
entire West Indies, except the Spa
nish islands Of CIhs and Porto Rico,
has been followed by I, profound
popular conviction of the rightful-
ness of rep plbliosn institutions, and
an intense desire to secnre them.
The attempt, however, to establish
republics there encounters many
obstacles, most of which may be sup
posed to be from long indulged ha-
bits of colonial supineness and de-
pendence upon European monarchial
powers, while the United States
have, on all occasions, professed n
decided unwilliugness that any part
of this continent or its adjacent is
lands, shall be made theatre for a
new establishment of monarchioal
powers. Too little has been done bv
us, on the other hand, to attach the
communities by which we are sur
rounded, to our own country, or lend
even moral support to the efforts
they are so resolutely and so con-
stantly making to secure republican
institutions for themselves. 1t is Il
question of grave consideration whe-
ther our recent aud present example
is not calculated to check the growth
and expansion of free principles, and
make these communities distrust, if
not dread, a Government which, at
will, consigns to military domination,
States that are integral parts of our
Federal Union, and, while ready to
resist any attempts by other nations
to extend to this hemisphere tue
monarohial institutions of Europe,
assumes to establish over large por-
ton of her people, o rule more alb
solute, harsh and tyrannical, than any
known to civilized power.
The acquisition of Alaska was
made with a view of extending the
national jurisdiction and Republican
principles in the American hemis-
phere. Believing that farther step
could be taken in the same direction,
last year entered into O treaty with
the King of Denmark for the pur-
chase OF the islands of ST. Thomas
and. st. John, on the best terms then
obtainable, and with the express con-
sent of the people of these islands.
This treaty still remains under con-
sideration in the Senate. A new
convention has been entered into
with Denmark. to enlarge the time
fixed for final satisfaction of the
original treaty. Comprehensive ma
tional policy would seem to sanction
the acquisition aud incorporation
into our Federal Union of the sevc-
raj adjacent continental and insular
communities, as speedily us it can be
done, peacefully, lawfully, and with
out any violation of national Justice.
faith or honor. Foreign possession
or control of those communities. has
hitherto burdened the growth and
impeded the influence of the United
States. Chronic revolution and an
archy there would be equally iniuri-
GUS. Each one Of them, when firmly
established as on independent Re
public, or when incorporated in the
United States would be new source
of the strength and power.
Conforming NY administration to
these principles, L have on no occa-
sion lent support or toleration to un-
lawful expeditions on foot, upon the
plea Of republican propagandism, or
OF national extension or aggrandize-
mant. The necessity, however, of
repressing such unlawful movements
clearly indicate the duty which rests
upon us of adapting our Legislative
action to the new ciroumstapces of q
decline of European. monarchical
power ndsinfiuence, and the increase
of American republican ideas, inter
ests and sympathies.
1t cannot be long before it will be-
come necessary for this Government
to lend some effective aid to the solu-
tion of the political and social pro-
blenas which are continually kept
before the world by the Re
pubiics of the island of st. Do
mingo, and which are now disc losing
themselves more distinctly thar
heretofore in the island of Cuba.
The subject is commended to your
consideration, with all the more ear
nestness, because ] am satisfied that
the time haa orr;yal who, 900, 20