The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-23

J. Ilardenburgh. OF New York; j. v. Carter, OF
Washington ana j. A. Magruder OF Washington, are
at the Metropolitan Hotel. ~
~. D0ming0-A Treaty Of Annexation from
Dominica.
We have the pleasure of announcing to our
readers this morning that the copy of treaty
of annexation in the name Of the republic Of
Dominica, the Spanish end Of the island Of
Hayt, or st. Domingo, has been laid before
the President Of the United States for his con-
sideraLon, and that the original document, in
charge of delegation Of special commits
sioners will shortly follow. The substance of
the treaty is the merging Of the Dominican
begin with, our general government being
only required to pay the debts Of the republic,
which are but bagatelle. OF course, the
treaty on our part will require an act Of Con-
gress, d la Texas, or ratification by two
thirds vote of the Senate; but upon either
| plan there can be no doubt of success
Then, we are quite sure, will speedily follow a
similar treaty with Hayti or the black repub-
lie, at the old French end of the island,
| whereby the whole island will be ours-a
| splendid acquisition.
What advantage win be the possession of
the whole island to the Union? It is evil
| dent, with foothold once established in Do
minica Hayti will soon be seeking our pro-
| lection. Secretary Seward, while negotiating
to obtain SANTANA Bay, showed conclusively
| that its possession would save an immense ex-
! pense in managing our naval matters. He
then said :-''samana Bay is the Gibraltar of
the West, and it's possession will make us the
Argus of the seas" The island is capable of
supporting five times its present population,
and vast wealth lies in its magnificent forests
of cabinet woods, its soil and its mines. Its
possession furnishes che key to the Gull, and
is the only one of the great Antilles that can
be acquired without the hazard of war with a
foreign nation. On either side Of the island
are the great nlets from the Atlantic to the
tropical seas. In the event Of foreign war
the possession of point commanding both the
Windward and Mona passage must be an
immense advantage. Slavery is abolished,
and no political distinction exists on account
of race or color The objections to annexa-
ton seem to be dislike to mingling with
their internal feuds; for there is reason
to believe that the enemies of tho gov
eminent Of Baez arc opposed to the United
States.
1t is urged, too, that the offer of an
nexation does not como solely from the
natives, but from Americans, who have inte-
rests in the island and desire the protection
Of this government. Both objections may have
foundation in fact but tho one oftenest urged
is to acquiring more territory, claiming that
we already have more than enough. Have
we ever acquired foot of territory that has
not been positive good TO ourselves and to
mankind? Annexation is no crime when II is
the substitution of a just and vigorous govern
ment for wicked and worthless one Has
not nation the right to be aggressive, and Gel
its feet wherever it can carry something better
than it supplants? The liberties of an individual
are abridged by the interests Of the State ant
the liberties of each particular State must yielt
, to the common interests Of humanity; ant
shall we not accept the conclusion that til,
same right exists in we'll ordered nations Il
coerce the vicious and disorderly nations al
exists in separate communities to punish indi
vidual criminals? We remember the opposi
ton TO the Mexican war and the territory &C
quired thereby; but without that war wher,
would now be our Pacific possessions? Cali
fornia would have been now, as then, the hunt
ing ground of Indians and an asylum for half
breed outlaws Our Pacific coast is proof tina
the gravest errors Of the worst governe,
American State cannot be compared with th,
lawless license of Mexico or the degenerat,
folly Of Spain.
This, however, may be considered as
judgment pronounced upon the ultimate con
sequences, rather than upon the immediate
, motives. But who does not believe that tn,
United States once in possession Of Mexico