Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-12-14

; representative u DouNid, tii6 CUu16I6uC0 wa
adjourned until the attendance of plenipo
/ Tertiary from that republic could be secured
or other measures could be adopted to
wards comprising its object Th,
allied and other republics O O
! Spanish origin on this continent may see il
/ this fact new proof of our sincere interest IL
/ their welfare-of our desire to see them bless
| ed with good governments capable of main
tanning order and preserving their respective
territorial integrity, and of our sincere wish tc
! extend our own commercial and social rela
tions with them. The time is moi
probably far distant when in tho natural course
of events the European political connection
with this continent will cease. Our policy
should be shaped in view of this probability sc
as to ally the commercial interests of the
Spanish-American states more closely to
our own and thus give the United States
all the prezeminence and all the advantage
which Mr.. Monroe, Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Clay
contemplated when they proposed to join tc
the Congress of Paaama.
THE SAN DOMINGO QUESTION.
During the last session of the pres.
ent Congress a treaty for the annexa
ton of the Republic of San Domingo to the
United States failed to receive the requisite
two-thirds vote of the Senate. was thor.
oughly convinced then that the best interests
of the country commercially and materially de-
manded its ratification. Time has only con-
frmed this view. I now firmly believe that the
moment 1t is known that the United States
have entirely abandoned the project of accept
ing, as a part of its territory, the island of San
Domingo, free port will be negotiated for by
European nations
In the Bay of Samana large commercial
city will spring up, to which we will be tribu-
tary without receiving corresponding benefits.
The government of San Domingo has volun-
tarly sought this annexation. 1t is weak
power, numbering probably less than 100, 600
souls, and yet possessing one of the richest
localities under the sun, capable of supporting
population of 100,000,0 900 people in luxury.
The people of San Domingo are not capable of
maintaining themselves in their present con-
dition, and must look for outside support.
They yearn for the protection of our free in
stitutions, laws, our progress and civilization.
Shall we refuse them? The acquisition of
San Domingo is desirable because
of its geographical position. 1t commands
the entrance to the Caribbean Sea and the
Isthmus transit of commerce; possesses the
richest soil, best and most capacious harbors,
most salubrious climate and the most valuable
products of the forest and mine of any of
the Wa.t India Islands Its possession by the
United States will, in few years, build up a
coastwise commerce of an immense
magnitude, which will go far towards
restoring to us our lost merchant marine.
1t will give us those articles which we
consume greatly and do not produce, thus
equalizing our exports and imports. In case of
foreign war it will give us the commerce of all
the islands referred to and thus prevent an
enemy from again possessing himself of a
rendezvous upon our coast. At present our
coast trade between the States bordering on
the Atlantic and those bordering on the
Gulf of Mexico, is by the Bahamas and
Antilles. We must, as it were, pass through
foreign countries to get from Georgia to the
east coast of Florida. San Domingo, with a
stable government under which her i'm
mense resources can be developed,
will give remunerative wages to 10000 labor
ers not now upon the Island. This labor will
take advantage of all available means of trans
portation to abandon the adjacent islands and
seek the blessings of its freedom and its Sc
quence, each inhabitant receiving the reward
of his own labor. Porto Rico and Cuba will have
to abolish slavery as a measure of self-preser-
vation to retain their laborers. San Domingo
Will become large consumer of the products
of northern farms and manufactures. The
cheap rate at which her citizens can be fur
nished with food, tools, land and machinery,
will make it necessary that contiguous islands
should have the same advantages in
order to compete in the production of sugar,
coffee, tobacco, tropical fruits, etc. This will
open TO us a wider market for our products.
The production of our supply of these articles
viii cut off more than one hundred millions of
our annual imports besides largely increasing
our exports With such picture it is easy to see
how our large debt abroad is ultimately to be
extinguished. With balance of trade against
us, including the interest of bonds held by
foreigners, and the money shipment Of our
citizens travelling in foreign lands, equal to the
entire yield Of the precious metal in this coun-
try, it is not SO easy to see how this result is
to be otherwise accomplished. The acquisition
of San Domingo is an adhesion to the Monroe
dOctrlne-ls q measure of national protection.
1t is asserting our just claim to the controlling
influence over the great commercial traffic soon
to flow from the west to the east by way of the
Isthmus of Darien. 1t is to build up our mer-
chant marine; to furnish new markets for the
products of our farms, shops and manufac-
tories. It is to make slavery unsupportable in
Cuba and Porto Rico at once and ultimately sc
in Brazil. 1t is to settle the unhappy condition
of Cuba and end an exterminating conflict. II
is to provide honest means of paying our hon.
est debts without oyer-taxing the people. II
is to furnish our citizens with the
necessaries of everyday life at cheaper
rates than ever before; and it is, in fine, a
rapid stride towards that greatness which the
intelligence. industry 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 an early
action expressive of it's views
as to the best means of acquiring San Domin.
go. My suggestion is that by joint resolution Of
the two Houses of Congress the Execu-
tive be authorized to appoint commission to
negotiate for a treaty with the authorities OF
San Domingo for the acquisition of that isl
and; that an appropriation be made to defray
the expenses of such commission. The question
may then be determined by the action of the two
houses of Congress upon resolution of annex.
alton as in the case of the acquisition of Texas
So convinced am I of the advantages to flow
from the acquisition of San Domingo
and of the great disadvantages, I might
almost say calamities, from non.
acquisition, that believe the subject has only
to be investigated to be approved.
MEXICAN EXEMPTIONS FROM IMPORT DUTIES
1t is to be regretted that our Representations
in regard to the injurious effects upon the
revenue of the United States, of the policy OF
the Mexican Government in eXempting from
import duties a large tract of its territory on
our borders, have not only been fruitless,
in but +tdt that it is even +0I9 proposed Sc
limits t Within Which the prvaae eAeena averted tea
to has hitherto been enjoyed. The expediency
of taking into your serious consideration the
proper means for countervailing the policy
referred to, will, it is presumed, engage youl
earnest attention.
ExTRADITIoN TREATIES.
It is the obvious interest especially Of
injury to those who may have committed high crimes
within their borders and who may have sought ref.
uge abroad. For this purpose extradition treaties
have been concluded with several of the Central
American Republics and others are in progress.
THE vFNsUELA CLAIMS.
The sense of Congress is desired early as may
be convenient upon the proceedings of the Com
mission Claims against Venezuela, as communi
Gated in Messages of March 4, 1869, March l. 1870
and March 81, 1870. 1t has not been deemed advisa
BILE to distribute any of the money which has beer
received from that Government until Congress shall
have acted upon the subject.
THE CHINESE MASSACRE OF FOREIGNERS
The massacres of French and Russian
residents at Tein Tsin under circum
stances of great barbarity supposed by some tc
have been premeditated and to indicate a purpose
among the populace to extermnae foreigners In the
Chinese Empire.
The evidence fails to establish such supposition
but shows completely by the local authorities an6
the mob. The Government at ~Pekin, however
seems to have been disposed to fulfill its tready obi
cations far able to do so. Unfortunately
the news of war between the German States ant
Fpance reached China soon after the massacre
1t would appear that the popular mind became
possessed with the idea that this contest extending
to Chinese waters would neutralize the Christian in
fuence and power, and that the time was coming
when the superstous might expel all foreigners an6