The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-24
THE UNITED STATES AS A BENEvO-
.r.a LENT INSTITUTION.

From the N. Y. Eue,,slg Post. HrHI
We are not opposed to the annexation of
San Domingo--this we think it proper once
more to state. 'Do you mean to say that
you refuse to buy my horse?" roared a jockey
to O gentleman in search of such an animal,
NO. replied the gentleman, 81 do not re-
fuse-I have not seen your horse, and it
would be unfair to the beast to reject him
before have looked at him." D
We are not opposed to San Domingo-but
surely the manner of pressing this small col
lection of colored semi-barbarians upon us
looks little like the sharp practice of horse
jockey. We ask what the horse is good for,
and are told, 'Buy him ~ We inquire, "Why
any more horses ?" and the answer comes,
Buy him !" We suggest that we have
already horses enough in the stable, and still
we hear only "Buy him, buy him, buy him !"
And besides these public shouts there come
whispered suggestions that if we don't buy
the jockey will have his feelings hurt; that
the horse will starve unless he is quickly
taken into our stable; that the price is small
but the horse seems to be worthless; that
to hesitate is to make ourselves disagreeable
but why may we not be disagreeable in self
defense? Is this Government an eleemosy-
nary institution? H
The last public news about the treaty re-
lates that the millions which the people of
the United States are to pay are to be used to
redeem the foreign and domestic debt of San
Domingo. Now before the Senate agrees to
this Congress and the people have a right
to know who holds the bonds which we are
to pay off; how much did these holders pay
for them; and at what rate are we to redeem
them? .-....
A good many mon remember what was
called "Texas scrip" When the unfortunate
Texan republic found itself, after its esta-
blishment in 1886, without revenue and with
need for good deal of money, it paid its
creditors in bonds or scrip. These evidences
of Indebtedness bore eight and even ten per
cent. interest; but they were not received
even by the first holders at par, and they
were finally, as Yoakum, the historian of
Texas, relates, bought on the streets for
from three to five cents on the dollar.
Now, when it was thus deprecated this
scrip was purchased in large quantities by
spectators, who then appeared in Washing
ton, and were the most urgent and vociferous
in demanding the annexation of Texas by the
| United States. Our Government assumed
| the Texan debt, as it is now proposed we
| shall assume the Dominican debt; and it was
| very we'll known at the time that some pa.
| triotic citizens made handsome fortunes by
the annexation of Texas.
Who owns the San Domingo scrip? Oh
course, no one for moment suspects the
President of conniving at fraud, if there is
| fraud; it is very well understood that ht
has been led into this San Domingo business
by blundering emissaries. But as he urges
the ratification of the treaty, it is his duty tC
assist Congress in discovering who are thu
owners of San Domingo scrip, and on wha
terms, and under what circumstances, the.
acquired it.
The treaty, it is said, secures to the Unitec
States nothing in return for the money pay
ment required. The mines and other valua
bles of the island have already been grante
to private individuals, and the treaty, we ar
told, expressly confirms these grants. w
get nothing therefore; why should we pa
anything? If San Domingo desires to becom
State in the Union, why should she not,
we see fit to accept her. pay her own debt, o
New York and other States do?