The New York herald., 1869-01-12
Tho Proposed Pretectsrsts Over st. Dol
8& mlngO.

Tho Proposed Profecteratc Over st. Do&
ningo. M8
There is a resolution pending in the House
of Representatives which provides for protec-
torate over st. Domingo. This is all well
enough SO far as it extends; but the PROPOSE
ton Is too narrow. 1t lacks breadth. 1t is
quite useless for our statesmen to take up 9
portion Of question, unless, perhaps, this bs
the entering wedge to more extensive survey
of the field to the south OF us. We have Cuba,
Jamaica, st. Domingo, Porto Rico and the
Windward Islands, all outlying points to the
southeast, and all depending upon our growth
for their prosperity. Upon their condition Il
is scarcely necessary to enlarge. Cuba Is II
the midst Of revolution which looks as If Il
might culminate In an overthrow Of the Spanish
Power. Whether such success will be of
immediate benefit to Cuba depends upon tho
action Of the United States ct the moment a
its Independence. st. Domingo, SO far a.
ito government is concerned, in both Dominics
and Hayti, is NO more secure than that Of
Mexico, and is just as liable to be overturned
to give place to the revolutionary cormorants
who feed upon its magnificent and prodigal
wealth.
But let Us see what . protectorate means. A
West India island possesses q government
which, under resolution Of the United States,
applies to Us for guarantee Of peace through
out its possessions. We give the guarantee
demanded. A revolution follows; II is revo-
luton against what many are pleased to cali
the moral force Of the United States; which,
with reference to proposed protectorates, Is .
glittering humbug. Our great moral dignity
is insulted, and few thousand troops are
shipped to the focus of the insult. Does any
one suppose that these troops will ever returnf
Does any one imagine that foreign army
called in to settle civil war difficulties existing
within any separate nationality will ever lower
its flag once It enters the countryp We are
too great q people to resort to subterfuge in
our dealings with those around u.s. IF it be
judged for our interests to take possession Of
st. Domingo, let it be done Immediately. II
is an undoubted truth that we require good
port in the West Indies. Our interests are the
Interests of civilization, and therefore no little
body of mongrels should be
gallowed to stand in the way of those interests.
I It is all very well for the European Powers to
cry morality and attempt to defeat every effort
we make at the establishment Of commercial
centres Of support. Foreign nations have
them, and have them, TOO, ut the sa-
crifce of blood and honor in almost
every instance. These little islands like st.
Domingo are Of no use to any one at present.
They should be looked upon simply as aids to
commercial Intercourse, and, despite them
selves, should be forced to play their parts by
for such a purpose.
There is problem for us lying north Of
Panama and the Caribbean Sea. That problem
is Mexico, Central America and the West
Indies. With reference to Mexico, she stands
in our way; she drags on us, watches our pro-
gress with jealousy and refuses to march along
with us. For this refusal it is as inevitable a.
fate that she must 60 down before rs. We
may include Panama and Central America in
the same remark. The West Indies, however,
are rather necessity to the harmony Of the
North Americas half of the Continent. All
buCcC ppouAou <AuA0kACou CVuutIlc3 uOFtu VI
Panama stand squarely In the track Of the
worlds greatest trade lines, and are moro or
less an impediment to the commerce of the
globe. These things are worth consideration;
but they should be balanced in broad sense.
Congress should issue its pronunciGmientO to
them, saying, ''Prepare to become part Of
the United States, to enjoy its benefits, to
share its greatness and to yield to the general
civilization Of the world all the advantages
possessed by your geographical positions and
your products. We cannot reach the highest
point in progress until all the territorial forces
on this half of the Continent work together
for . given purpose" After such an edict
these countries would begin to prepare them
selves, and If not disposed to enter the fold
peaceably, then-the bayonet.
THE VELOCfPEDK AND THE PARK.-The
Il - - Il