Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-15
the SAN Domingo Question.

IL will be- remembered that President
Grant in bis annual Message, took oe1--
sion to call attention to the San Domingo
onestion, in an able and pertinent review
of the whole matter, which cannot have
failed to englighten and strengthen the
people ifit h az not Congress. The treaty, it
will be reoollected, failed to receive two
thirds vote ia the Senate, at the last
session, but they can hardly fail to give
majority vote to the Presidents present
recommendation in the subject. However,
there are some Senators, who are bitter
in their opposition to this project. Mr..
Sumner has again made declaration OF
war upon it, in the form of resolution
calling on the President for all the infor-
nation in his'possession on that subject,
as followa:
RESOLVED, That the President of the United
States be requested to communicate to the Sen
ate, il in his opinion not incom patible with the
public interest, copies of all papers and cores
responds nee relating to the proposed annexation
of the Dominican portion of the Island of st.
Domingo, or the purchase of any part thereof,
including the original and all the subsequent in
structions, to any agent or consul of the United
states, with the correspondence OF such agent or
oounsul. Also, any protocol or convention signed
by such agent or consul. Also, an account OF
> Ne debt and liabilities of the Dominican Govern
men especially its obligations to the neighbor-
inc Ren. TbHc of Hayti. Also, the provisions of
the existipg Constitution of Dominica, so far as
the same relat " to the sale transfer of the ma
tional domain, also, any treaty with Hayti or
Franco by which Dominica is affected Also, any
communication from he neighboring Republic of
Hayti or from our Minister there relating to the
proposed annexation. Also, instructions to the
comm auder of our naval squadron in the waters
of the island since the commencement of the late
negotiations, with the reports and correspondence
of such commander. Also any information
tending to show what European power, If any,
proposes to acquire jurisdiction Of any part OF the
Ialand. and il SO. what part. Also, any inforna-
tion with regard to the position of President
Baez, under whom the treaty of annexation was
negotiated. aud the extent to which he has been
maintained in power by the presence Of United
State vessels of war Also, any information with
regard TO the sentiments OF the people OF Demini-
ca and the reported tendency of civil war Also,
any ia formation with regard to any claims of
jurisdiction by the Republic Of Hayd over the
territory Of DomintcP.
Mr.. Sumner knows very we'll that all
the important papers bearing on the
whole question have already been sub
United to Congress- and are, or ought to
be, accessible 10 the Senate. No one can
fail to perceive the spirit of his action.
There is no harm in or objection to this
elaborate resolution, aud the variety of
j., Eornation which il sought for may
,ro, = entertaining and instructive. But
Il DON, ,nstrats- the Senator'S hostility to
tina roes rare end the determination to
bring TO ear against every appliance ia
bis mower . defeat it, thus giving the
resolution Al. nideance which it would
not otherwise ! assess. Everyone recog-
Mics The Importance of flu information
in reference 20 the Oosainican Republic
1t l. evident, Notwithstanding ne per
sistent opposition of the distinguished
Senator, that SO fsI as the general ques,
ton of TIE annexation OF the island is |
concerned, the prospects OF favorable
action on it by Congress grow brighter
every day. la the House, Within few
days, a resolution will be presented which
will meet the approval of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, aud large vote will
be secured in its favor. The scheme of
annexation of San Domingo was defeated |
once, and may be defeated again. because
1t is called lob" Everybody who has
carefully examined this question. knows
that the charge of jobbery is untrue; but
this has little weight, as some Senators
hold off because they think there is money
in it, and others because they have. not in
yestigated the subject aud know nothing
about it. We trust the pruden intelli-
vsnt men So the Senate will Investigate
h, subject and promptly act upon 1t. We
,ra ware that sur Vermont Senators OPP
,ose :, Ns Jneascre, but as yet, neither of
hem. to our know edge, have given any
public exp vsssion of tn, >ir feelings on the
question. We shall hope for al announce
nent of the reasons for their setion on
his measure while the question is' DO"
pending before Congress. that their c, VI
stituents may ha ge knowledge of the basis
Of their opposition
There is one aspect OF the San Domiugo
question the importance of which cannot
be overrated. The securing of the Island
will give an impetus to our commerce
which has never been felt in the same de- ,
gree throughout orr whole history. It :
will give to the American government a
far off colony, surrounded by the islands
IF the sea, all of which will desire like
prosperity, and our people will have II
haven in the most favored land in the ,
world, American vessels in the West 6
indies and in the passage to and from the ]
3ulf will find port where floats the flag :
Of their country. San Domingo will be- I
come to the West India Islands the depot ,
Of their wealth and the central point of {
their intercourse and prosperity. Let us {
look ut this question in all its bearings, =
and it would seem that the people and i,
our contemporaries of the press will favor =
the annexation of the Dominican Repub. I
lie in some form to the United States, as +
by the President :
|, o, OF o. F.--The first American
&c ~ T n1lI