, 1870-12-23

GAAOA4s OENG4DGfA I'd, 1871
LET us HAVE PEACE.
The debate in the Senate upon Mr.. Nor
tons joint resolution to appoint COM
mission to 60 to San Domingo and inquire
into The geography, geology. and toPog-
raphy of the island, and into the manners,
customs; trade, commerce, aud language Of
its people, and the character and relative
capacity Of the rival governments of the
Dominican Republic, has already developed
q strung opposition on the part OF the Re-
publican Senators to what Is presented as
an administration measure. The President
devoted large spacein his annual message
to recommending the anne1ation OF San
Domingo. That matter had been
before the Senate in the form
of q treaty, and been rejected. The
Presidents renewal of the subject in
his message was sort Of APPEAL to Con-
Gress and to The country, and, under the
lead Of Senator Morton. the distinct issue
is low .nadr upon annexation as an admin
ist.atiou measure 1t is urged upon that
ground. mud Senators are required, upon
their allegiance 10 their party, to vote for
lie measufr recommended br the Presi-
dent.
We do rot think this policy is wise
one 1t hiss already placed large num-
her Of Republican Senators and Repre-
se1,iai1vts i'll antagonism to the President.
They are opposed to the annexation, upon
grounds wl.cHappeal strongly to the rea-
ron aud intelligence Of the people, They
oppose IT because it subjects the United
States to large pdesent, and an unknown
future, expenditure of public money,
without ans visible consideration They
oppose it because, when acquired, it
will be new and expensive charge upon
The nation. 1t will have to be fortified At
v.zious po.nss, and will require larga
naval force ~ protect it. In time of war,
it viii be an exposed point of
attack, and will require az lsrge An OUT
lay ia guard and hold it asthe entire Paeif-
ic c,as.. To acquire the Dominican part
Of the island wilt involve the United States
in a cou1ruvrrsY with Hayti, and, as oan
easily bs, foseseen, will involve the pur-
chase aud aune1.tiou Of that republic also.
ooee planted IN tne "e6 Anoies' the
peace. tatety' and possession OF that
island wll! requi re the further acquisition
Of the adjoining islands, whether by force
or purchase, and then we shall have
fastened upon us the policy, 80 foreign
10 our form OF government, known
as the colonial system, which, by the
way, is being abandoned by all other ma
tions. II the Republic OF Dominion csn
not last six weeks without civil war; if tht
republic l. composed Of such elements tha
60 authority is recognized but that Of tn
baYonet, aud life and liberty depend upo1
the mere wilt Of cowardly cut-th1oat aut
1obbez who happens for the time to b
Captain Of the dominant faction, what
there in such condition OF Affairs TO In
si'a The United ststes to incorporate tha
distant and sqnabbling republic into on
Union? Have VIC not on our hands enougl
OF the business OF reconstruction, tha. "
must 60 to foreign country Of dogarded
ignorant people, speaking different Lar
guage, and having nothing whate!e
in coln1on with our civilization
After the close of our civil war,
number Of Africans left the United State
Tor this Dominican Republic, but the
found the rative population so far belo
1.-.,. s..o.,,,;o. Ths a,,e,nnt
- "s5. -, sa1ea 4ha ,rraIat;on Of II
w" . ..ns,a;,-oos+ ~ 4
eEa1 mi1.ions of dollars, and a perpetu
annual cas, of twice as many millions,
an administration measure. To its su
port the President and his Official famlj
civil rs we'll us military, give their ind
ence; the Vice President, also. lends ii
weight of his approval, and a number
Influential Senators aud Representative
are p1esenutg, IN both houses Of Congress
Tho Executive WISHES, and demanding III
they oe complied with.
1hS Is m unfortunate movement in
party polna of view. 1t threatens the dit
mon or me hepani1can party. senato
nsse fetaseo' and "ll refuse, to be dt
goooeo lnto Inc support OF measure
tiAu81t "l'h eva, ana "n3cn has no sing
tea'u1e 10 redeem ass acknowledged d
at's ot,sen " inc friends OF tho Ex
cno'e' o1f- sumner mas alfeady-in sci
AR1Nk<I