New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-12-06

Representatives of the seventeenth Of De-
cember, 1876, the executive department Of
the government offered its friendly offices
for the promotion OF peace and harmony be-
tween Spain and the allied Republics. Hesi-
tatiOns and obstacles occurred to the ac-
ceptance of the offer.
Ultimately, however, conference was
arranged and was opened in this city on the
twcnty-ninth Of October last, at which l
authorized the Secretary of State to preside.
\ 1t was attended by the Ministers OF Spain,
Peru, Chill and Ecuador. In consequence
of the absence Of a representative from
Bolivia, the conference was adjourned until
the attendance Of q plenipOtentiary from
that republic could be secured, or other
measures could be adopted toward compass
ing its objects. The allied and other re-
publics of Spanish origin on this continent
may see>in this fact a new proof of our sim
cere interest in their welfare, and our de-
sire to see them blessed with good govern
mcnts, capable Of maintaining Order and OF
preserving their respective territorial integ-
rity, 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 policy, 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 preeminence and all
the advantage which Mr.. Monroe, Mr.. Ad-
ans and Mr.. Clay contemplated, when they
proposed to join in the Congress OF Panama.
During the last session of Congress a
treaty for the annexation Of the Republic of
| San Domingo to the United States failed to
| receive the requisite twO-thirds vote of the
| Senate ! was thoroughly convinced then
| that the best interests Of this country, COM
mercially and materially, demanded its rat-
fication. Time has only confirmed me in
| this view. l now firmly believe that the
moment it is known that the United States
have entirely abandoned the project of ac
ceptingas part Of its territory the island
! Of San Domingo, free port will
be negotiated for by European ma
tons, in the Bay Of Samana.
a large commercial city will spring up,
to which we will be tributary without re-
ceivng corresponding benefits. and then
will he seen the folly of our neglecting so
great Ii prize. The government of San Do
mingo has voluntarily sought this annexa-
ton. it is a weak power, numbering
| probably less than one hundred and twenty
thousand souls and yet possessing one Of
the richest territories under the sun, capa-
bic OF supporting population OF ten mil,
| lions of people in luxury. The people OF
Sau Domingo are not capable Of maintain
ing themselves in theirpresent condition, land
must look for outside support. They yearn
for the protection OF our free institutions
and laws, our progress and civilization.
| Shall we refuse them.
The ACQUISITION of San Domingo is desira-
BILE because Of its geographical position. 1t
| commands the entrance to the Caribbean
Sea and the lsthmus, transit of commerce.
1t possesses the richest soil, best and most
capacious harbOrs, most sal,lbrious climate,
and the most valuable products of the for
est mine and soil Of any of the West Indian
islands. It's possession by us Will in few
wears build up coastwise commerce OF I'M
mense magnitude, which will go far toward
RESTORING to us our lost merchant marine.
1t will give to US those articles which we
consume SO largely and do not produce,
TINS equalizing our exports and imports
In case of foreign war it will give us com
nland of all the islands referred to, and
thus prevent an enemy from ever AGAIN
possessing himself Of rendezvous upon Oll
very coast.
At present our coast trade between States
bordering on the atlantic and those border
ing OF the Gulf of Mexico is cut in two by
!. the Bahamas and the Antilles. Hence We
. . must as it were. pass through foreign
countries TO get by sea from Georgia to the
west coast of Florida. San Domingo, with q
stable government nnder which her immense
resources can be developed, will give re
! munerative wages TO tens Of thousands o
laborers not now upon the island. Thu
labor will take advantage Of every availa
, bic means of transportation to abandon
the adjacent islands and seek the blessing
of freedom and its sequence, each inhabitan
. receiving the rev ard Of his own labor
Porto Rico and Cuba will have to abandon
slavery as d measure Of selfpreservatiOn L
retain their laborers. San Domingo will he
. | nff fhn r.fc
Northern farms and manufactures. IN
cheap rate at which her citizens can b
= furnished with food, tools and machinery
viii make it necessary that contiguou
islands should have the same advantages
i in order to compete in the production Q
. sugar, coffee, tobacco, tropica! fruits. etc.
!. This will open to us still wider marke
+ for our products. The production of on
o own supply OF these articles will cut o.
r more than one hundred millions of our al
p uual imports. besides largely increasing ou
y exports. With such a picture. it is easy t
. see how our large debt abroad is ultimatel
4 to be extinguished. With balance of trad
g against us. including interest on bonds liel
i by foreigners, and money spent by our cit
!. zens travelling in foreign lands, equal TO tn
c entire Weld of the precious metals in tn
- | country, it is not so easy to see how this II
h suit is to be otherwise accomplished.
the acquisition of San Domingo is an az
+, herence TO the Monroe doctrine 1t is
y measure of national protection. 1t is a
{, scrting our Just claim to a controlling intil
- ence in the great commercial traffic soon
70 flow from West to East by way of the Istl
If mus of Darien. 1t is to build up our me
Il chant marine. 1t is to furnish new marke
=. for the products of our farms, shops an
r. manufactures. 1t is to make slavery il
4 supportable in Cuba and Porto Rico at one
~ and ultimately so in Brazil. 1t is To sett
! the unhappy condition of Cuba and end a
a. exterminating conflict. 1t is To PROVE
.s honest means of paying our honest deb
Il without overtaxing the people. 1t is to fu
~ nish our citizens with the necessaries
II every day life at cheaper rates than ev'
NJ before, and it is, in tine.a rapid stride towal
- that greatness which the intelligence i
ar United States entitle this country to assun
20 among nations.
te In view of the Importance OF this que
ton, l earnestly urge upon Congress ear
=; action, expressive ct IT'S views as to the be
"a means of acquiring San Domingo. My su
N gestion is that by joint resolution of the tv
70 houses of Congress, the Executive be a
,r thorized to appoint a commission to neg
a tiate treaty with the authorities of Sa
al Domingo for the acquisition of that islam
70 and that an appropriation be made to detra
m the expenses OF such commission. The que
n ton NAV then be determined either by Il
action Ofsthe Senate upon the treaty, or Il
70 Joint action Of the two houses of Congre
,s upon a resolution OF annexation, as in Il
,t case Of the acquisition of Texas. So co
4 WINGED am l of the advantages to flow fro
10 the acquisition of San Domingo. and of Il
II great disadvantages, l might almost s;
,t calamties, to flow from non-acquisition til
"a / believe the subject has only to he inves
- GATED to he anprOyed