Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-06

| testimony contributed by the two governments,
and awarded to the United States governments
the sum of 500, 1000, in gold, which has
since been paid by the Imperial Government.
These recent examples show that the mode
which the L. States have proposed to Spain Tor
adjusting the pending claims, is just and feas-
ible, and that it may be agreed to by either
| nation without dishonor. 1t is to be hoped
that this moderate demand may be acceded to
by Spain without further delay. Should the
pending negotiation unfortunately and unex-
| pectedly be without result, it will then be-
come my duty to communicate that fact to
| Congress, and invite its action on the subject.
The long deferred peace conference between
Spain and the allied South American repub-
lies, has been inaugurated in Washington un-
der the auspices of the United States. Pur-
suant to the recommendation contained in the
resolution OF the House of Representatives of
the 18th of Dec, 1866, the executive depart
nent OF the government offered its friendly
offices for the promotion of peace and harmo-
ny between Spain and the allied republics,
but hesitatons and obstacles occurred to the
acceptance of the offer.
Ultimately, however, conference was opened
in this city on the 29th OF October last, at
which authorized the Secretary OF State to
preside. 1t was attended by the Ministers of
Spain, Peru, Chilli, and Ecquador, in conse-
quence of the absence of representative from
Bolivia, the conference was adjourned un-
til the attendance of plenipotentiary from
that republic could be secured, or other meas
ures could be adopted towards composing its
object. The allied and other republics of
Spanish origin on this continent may see in
this fact new proof of our sincere interest
in their welfare of our desire to see them
blessed with good governments, capable OF
maintaining order and preserving their respec-
tive territorial integrity, and OF our sincere
wish to extend our own commercial and
social relations with them. The time is not
probably far distant when in the natural course
of events the European political connection
with this continent will cease. Our policy
should be shaped in view of this probability,
so as to ally the commercial interests of the
| Spanish American States more closely to our
own, and thus give the United States all the
pre- -elninence and all the advantages which Mr..
Monroe, Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Clay contemplated
when they proposed to join in the Congrt IS Of
Panama.
a treaty for the annexation of the Re-
public of San Domingo to the United States,
failed to receive the requisite two-thirds vote
of the Senate. l was thoroughly convinced
then that the best interests of this country
commercially and materially demanded its
ratification. Time has oIly confirmed me in
this view 1 now firmly believe that the
moment that it is known that the United
States have entirely abandoned the project OF
accepting as part OF its territory, the Is
land OF San Domingo, free port will be ne
gotated for by European nations. In the
! Bay of Samana, a large commercial city will
spring up to which we will be tributary with
out receiving corresponding benefits. The
government of San Domingo has voluntari-
ally sought this annexation. 1t is weak
power, numbering probably less than 120,-
900 souls, and yet possessing one OF the
richest localities under the sun, and capable
of supporting population of 10000, 600 Of
people in luxury. The people of San Do
mingo are not capable of maintaining
themselves in their present condition, and
must look for outside support. They yearn
tor the protection of our free institutions,
and laws, our progress and civilization. Shall
we refuse them? The acquisition of San Do
mingo is desirable because of its geographical
position. 1t commands the entrance of the
Caribbean and the Isthmus, the transit of COM
merce. 1t possesses the richest soil, the best
and most capaeious harbor, the most salubri-
Gus climate, and the most valuable products
of the forests, mines, and soil of any of the
West India islands. Its possession by the
| United States will, in a few years, build up a
coastwise commerce OF immense magnitude,
which will go far towards restoring to us those
articles which we consider greatly and do not
produce, thus equalizing our exports and inn
ports. In case OF foreign war, it will give
us command of all the Islands, and thus pre-
vent an enemy from again availing himself of
rendezvous our coast Trade between the
States bordering on the gulf of Mexico, is by
the Bahamas and the Antilles. Twice we
must, as it were, pass through foreign coun-
tries to get by from Georgia to the west coast
OF Florida. San Domingo, with suitable
government under which her immense re-
sources can be developed, will give reMuncr-
atve wages to ten thousand laborers not now
upon the island. This labor will take advan-
tage of every available means of transporta-
tion TO abandon the adjacent islands and seek
the blessings of freedom and its consequences,
each inhabitant receiving the reward Of his
own labor. Porto Rico and Cuba will have to
abolish slavery as a measure of selt-preserva-
tion, to retain their laborers. San Domingo
will become u large consumer of the products
OF Northern farmers and manufacturers. The
cheap rate at which her citizens can be fur
nished with food, tools and machinery, will
make it necessary that the contiguous islands
have the same advantages, in order to COM
pete in the production of sugar, coffee, to-
bacco, tropical fruits, &c. This will open to
us wider market for our products. The
production of our own supply of these arti-
cies will cut off more than one hundred mil
lions of our annual imports, besides largely in
creasing our exports.
With such picture, it is easy to see how
our large deby abroad is ultimately to be ex-
tinguished. With balance of trade against it,
including the interest on bonds held by for
eigners and money shipments to our citizens
travelling in foreign lands, equal to the
entire yield of precious metals in this
country; it is not so easy to see how this re-
suit Is to be otherwise accomplished. The
acquisition of San Domingo is an adherence
to the Monroe doctrine. 1t is measure of
national protection. 1t is asserting our just
claim and controlling influence over the great
commercial traffic, soon to flow from west to
east by way of the Isthmus OF Darien; il is TO
build up our merchant marine, and it is to
furnish new markets for the products of our
farms, shops and manufactures. 1t is to
make slavery insupportable in Cuba and Por-
to Rico at once, and ultimately so in Brazil;
it is to settle the unhappy condition Of Cuba,
and end an exterminating conflict; it is to pro-
vide honest means of paying our honest debts
without overtaxing the people; il Is TO fur-
nish cur citizens with the necessaries ofev-
Iaa4 rE