Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-12-06

4 VIZ oDsSuCo Vi y representative lfOHl
Bolivia the conference was adjourned till
the attendance of plenipotentiary from
that Republic could be secured or other
measures could be adopted towards
composing its objects. The allied and
other republics of Spanish origin on this
continent may see in this fact new proof
| of our interest in their welfare, our
desire to see them blessed with good
governments capable of msintaing order,
and preserving their respective territorial
integrity, and of our sincere wish to ex-
end our own commercial and social rela-
tions with them. The time is not proba-
bly, far distant when. in the natural
course of events, the European political
connection with this continent will cease.
Our conduct should be shaped in view of
this probability, to so ally the commercial
interests of the Spanish American States
more closely to our own, and thus give
the United States all the prominence and
all the advantages which MIR. Monroe,
Adams and Clay contemplated when they
proposed to join the Congress OF Panama.
San Domingo Wanted-tO Pay the
National Debt!
During the last session Of Congress
treaty for the annexation OF the Republic
of San Domingo to the United States
failed to receive the two-third vote of the
Senate. / was thoroughly convinced that
the best interests of the country, CONNER
cially and materially, demanded its ratii-
cation, and time has only confirmed me
in this view. / now firmly believe that
the moment it is known that The United
States have entirely abandoned the. pro-
iect of accepting as part of its territory
the island of San Domingo, free port
will be established by European nations.
In the bay of SANTANA, large com
mercial city will spring up, to which We
will be tributary, without receiving cor
responding benefits. The Northern folly
of our rejection has 80 agreed that the
government of San Domingo has volun
tarily sought this annexation. 1t is weak
power, numbering probably less than
100, 900 souls, and yet possessing one of
the richest localities under the SUD, capa-
bic of supporting population of 10, 000,-
900 of people in luxury. The people of
San Domingo are not capable of main
tanning themselves in their present
condition, and must look for out
side support. They yearn for
the protection of our free institutions and
law, our progress and civilization. Shall
we refuse them7 The acquisition of San
Domingo is desirable because of its geo.
graphical position. 1t commands the en-
trance to the caribbean sea and the 18th
mus, and the transit of commerce. 1t
possesses the richest soil, the best and
most capacious hsrbOrs, most salubrious
climate and the most valuable products of
the forest mine and soil of any of the
West India Islands. Its possession by
the United States will in few years
build up a coastwise commerce of
immense magnitude, which will 60
far towards restoring to US our mel
chants marines. 1t will give to us
those articles which we import greatly,
and 10 not produce, thus equalizing our
exports and imports. In case of for
eign war it will give US command of all
the islands referred TO, and thus prevent
an enemy again possessing himself of
rendezvous upon our coasts. At present
our coast trade between the States bor-
dering on the Atlantic, and those border
ing on the Gulf of Mexico is by the Ba-
hsmas aud the Antilles. Twice We must
as it were, pass through foreign countries
to get by from Georgia to the east
coast of Florida. San Domingo
with a stable government under which
her immense resources can be developed,
will give remunerstiVe wages to 10000
lsboreTs not now upon the island. This
labor will take advantage of every aysila-
bic means of transportation to abandon
the adjacent islands and seek the blessings
of freedom and its sequence, each inhsb-
liant receiving the rewards of his own
labor Porto Rico and Cuba will have to
abolish slavery as measure of self pro |
lection to retain their labor. San Do |
mingo will bring large consumer OF the |
products of our Northern farms |
snd manufactures. The cheap
rate at which her citizens can be fur. |
nished with food and the island with ma
chinery, will make it necessary that con-
tiguous islands should have the same
in order 10 compete with the |
production of sugar, coffee, tobacco,
tropical fruit, etc. This will open to the
United States a wider market for our pro-
ducts. The production of our own sup
ply of these articles will cut off more
than 800, 900, 600 of our annual imports,
besides increasing our exports.
With such q picture it is easy to see
how our large debt abroad is ultimately to
be extinguished. With q balance of |
trade against us, including the interest of
bonds held by foreigners and money ship
ments, our citizens travelling in foreign |
lands equal to the entire yield of precious
metal in this country, it is not 50 easy TO |
see how this result is 20 be otherwise &C.
complished.
The acquisition of San Domingo is an
adhesion tn the Monroe doctrine. 1t is a |
measure of national protection. 1t is |
asserting our just claim to a. controlling
influence over the great commercial |
traffic soon 10 flow from West to East by |
way of the Isthmus of Dsrien. Il is to |
build or merchant marine 1t is to /
furnish new markets for the products of |
our farms, shops and manufactures 1t /
" to make slavery unsuppOrtable in Cuba
and Porto Rico at once, and ultimately
in Brazil. 1t is to settle the unhappy
condition of Cuba and end an extermin-
atiDg conflict. 1t is 10 provide an honest
means of paying our honest debts, with
out overtaXing the people. 1t is to fur
nish our citizens with the necessaries of
everyday life at cheaper rates than ever
before and it is in fine, rapid stride to-
wards that greatness which the intelli-
gence, industry aud enterprise of the
citizens of the United Sta'es entities our
country to assume among nations.
In view of the importance Of this ques-
ton, | earnestly urge upon Congress ear
Iy action expressive of its views as to the
best means of acquiring San Domingo.
My suggestion is that by joint resolution
Of the two houses of Congress The Execu
live be authorized to appoint a commits
siOner TO negotiate for treaty with the
of San Domingo for the scout
sitiOn of that Island; and that an appro-
priation be made to defray The expenses
Of such commissioner. The question may
then be determined by Che action Of the
two Houses of Congress, upon rtsOlu-
ton of annexation, as in the case of the
acquisition of Texas. So convinced am
| of the advantages 10 flow from the
of San Domingo, and of the
great disadvantage, l might say calami-
lies, to tlnow from nOn-acquisilion, that
believe the subjec. has only TO be investi-
gated to be approved.
Our Mexican NeighbOrs
1t is to be regretted that our representa-
tons in regard to the injurious effects,
upon the revenues of the Uni'ed
States, of the policy of the Mexican Gov
eminent in exemptiug from important
duties large tract of its territory on our
borders, have not only been fruitless, but
that it is even proposed in that country
to extend the limits within which the
privilege adverted to has hitherto been
enjoyed. The expediency of taking
INTO your serious consideration the |