The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-15
GEN. GRANT AND SAN DOMINGO.

its late session, Notwithstanding the most
urgent solicitations Of the President, declin-
ed to act favorably upon his wishes that
provision might be made for attaching this
island to the United States. 1t was said that
his excellency was greatly disappointed and
mortified at the failure of this his pet scheme
1t does not appear, however, that any like
feelings were engendered because Of the
failure to ratfy the plan for the acquisition
of St. Thomas after the consent of Denmark
had been obtained, and the people had voted
to transfer themselves, under an implied
pledge of annexation.
The President, in his late message, again
brings the subject to the attention of Con-
gress and the people, as follows
During the last session of Congress treaty for
the annexation of the republic of San Domingo to
the United States failed TO receive the requisite
twothirds vote of the Senate. ! was thoroughly
convinced, them that the best interests of this
try. commercially and materially, demanded its
ratification, Time has only confirmed me in this
view. l now firmly believe that the moment it is 4
known that the UnitedStates have entirely abandon
ed the project OF accepting part of its territory
the island Of San Domingo, free port will be
negotiated for by European powers.
In the Bay of SANTANA large commercial city
will spring up, to which will be tributary with
out receiving corresponding benefits. The govern
ment Of San Domingo has voluntarily sought this
annexation. Its weak power, numbering probab-
y less than 100000 souls. and yet possessing of
the richest localities under the and capable of
supporting population of 100000 of people in
luxury. The people of San Domingo not capa- |
BILE of maintaining themselves in their present con-
diton, and must look for outside support. They
yearn for the protection of our fleet, institutions
and law, our progress and civilization Shall we |
Them nj iSl
desirable. because of its geographical position. 1t
commands the entrance of the caribbean Sea and |
the Isthmus and the transit of commerce. 1t pos
sesses the richest soil, the best and most capacious
harbor, the most saubrious climate, and the most
valuable products of the purest mines and SOIL of
any Of the West India Islands. Its possession by
us will, in a few years, build up Il coastwse COM
merce of immense magnitude, which will 90 far
toward restoring to us those articles which con-
sumo greatly and do not produce. thus increasing
our exports and imports. In case OF foreign war
it will give us command of all the islands, and thus
prevent an enemy from gaining himself rendez-
vous on our coast. At present our coast trade be-
tween the States bordering on the Gulf of Mexico
is by the Bahamas and the Antilles. Twice we
must, it were, pass through foreign countries to
get by from Georgia to the west coast of Flor-
da. San Domingo, with stable government I'M
| der which her immense resources can be develop
cd will give remunerative wages to ten thousand
| laborers not now upon the island. This labor will
| take advantage OF every available means Of trans
portation 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 abolished
their laborers. San Domingo would then become
a larger consumer Of the products of northern
farms and manufacturers. The cheap rate at which
her citizens can be furnished with food, tools and
| machinery will make it necessary that the contig-
| GUS islands have the same advantages in order to
compete in the production of sugar, coffee, tobacco
tropical fruits, etc. This will open to us wider
market for our products The production of our
own supply of these articles will cut off more than
one hundred millions of our annual imports, be-
| sides largely increasing our exports With such
picture, it is easy to how large debt abroad
is ultimately to be eXtingushed. With balance
OF trade against u.s. including the interest of bonds
held by foreigners, and money shipments to our
citizens travelling in foreign lands equal to the ell
tire yield OF precious metals in this country, it is
not SO easy to see how this result is to be otherwise
accomplished
The acquisition of San Domingo is an adherence
to the Monroe doctrine; it is measure of national
protection; it is asserting Just claim and con-
trolling influence over the great commercial traffic
soon to flow from west to east by the way of
the lsthmus of Darien. 1t is to build up our
our merchant and marine interests; it is to furnish
new markets for the products of our farms, shops
and MANUFACTURES. 1t Is to make slavery unsup-
portable in Cuba, and Porto Rico at once, and uti-
matey so in Brazil, 1t is to settle the unhappy
condition of Cuba, and end an eXterminating con-
iict. 1t is to provide honest means of paying our
honest debts without overtaXing the people. 1t is
to furnish citizens with the necessares of every
day life ut cheaper rates than ever BEFORE and it is
in fine, rapid stride toward that greatness which
the intelligence and enterprise of the citizens of the
United States entitle this country to assume among
nations.
| In view Of the importance of this question,
earnestly urge upon Congress early action, express
slve 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 Ex-
ecutive be authorized to appoint commission to
negotiate treaty with the authorities of San Do
mngo for the acquisition of that island; that an an
Il Ipfr1V ay cofS,
commission, and the question then be determined
by the action of the two houses of Congress upon
resolution Of annexation as in the of the ac-
QUESTION OF Texas. So convinced am of all the
advantages to flow from the acquisition of San
Domingo, and of the great disadvantages, might
almost say calamities, from the non-acquistion,
that believe the subject has only to be investigated
to be approved.
Ut themselves, the arguments for the an
nexation Of San Domingo are exceedingly
weak. 1t has population of half civilized
negroes, who arc more likely to create a
civil war than to be of any advantage.
''They yearn," says the message, ''for the
protection of our free institution and laws,
: our progress and civilization" Then let the
, President send them 4 copy of the consttu-
ton, and of the statutes. In them is the
seed of all that we have realized. If they
are fit to have such blessings, they can rea-
lie them unaided. We can no more confer
free institutions on them, than learned man
can acquire knowledge for the benefit of an
. ignorant and shftle IS one.
The country will read with wonder the
, declaration that the only way to pay the ma.
tional debt is by the profits to follow the an.
nexation of San Domingo. Only little
year ago the annual message was jubilant
) with the declaration that the national debt
could be paid in ten years, without increas-
+ ing the burden Of taxation. The great argu
: ment of the Presidents supporters in The
elections has been the rapidity with which the