Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-16
NNpoNINGo.

Daring the last session of Congress 4
treaty forihc annexation of the Republic
of san Domingo 10 the United States
flcd 10 receive the requisite two thirds
vote ot the Senate. was thoroughly
convinced then that the best interests of
this country, commercially and material
IL. demand, It's ratification. Time has
only confirmed ne in this view. | now
firmly believe that the moment il : known
that the United States have entirely aban
doncd the project of accepting part Of
L, territory the island of san Domingo
free port will be negotiated tOr by Edropc-
nm nations. In the hay OF SANTANA large
commercial city will spring up, to which
we will be tributary without receiving
corresponding benefits.
The government of San Domingo has
voluntarily sought this annexation. 1t is
3, weak power numbering probably less
than 12O. .0)0 souls, and Yet possessing
one OF the richest localities under the sun,
aud cabahic OF supporting population OF
IL. 900. 600 of people in luxury. The
people of san Domingo are no, capa'
bic OF maintaining themselves in their
present condition. and must look Tor out.
side support They yCarn for the pro-
lection oi our fleet, Institutions and laws,
our progress aud civilization. Shall we
refuse them? The acquisition of san Do.
mugo is desirable because of its geo.
graphical positions. 1t commands The
entrance ol The Caribbean and the lsthmus,
the transit OF commerce. ltpossesses the
.. 4 ,k
harbor, the most salubriOus climate and
the most valuable products of the purc>t
mines and soil Of any OF the West Indies
Islands. Its possession by u Will IN
fc Years build up 4 coast wise commerce
of immense magnitude, which will 90 iar
towards restoring To rs those articles
which we consider greatly aud do not
produce, thus colonizing our exports ami
imports. In case OF a foreign war it viii
give us command of all OF the islands,
and thus prevent an enemy from avalilng
himself OF rendezvous on onr coast. At
present our coast trade between the States
bordering on the Gulf OF Mexico is by the
Bahamas and the Antilles. Twice we
must. rs it were, pass through foreign
countries to get from Georgia To the west
coast of Florida. San Domingo with a
suitable government under which her
immense resources can be developed Will
give remuncrative wages to 10000 labor
ci's not now upon the Island. This labor
will take advantage OF every availance
and means of transportation TO abandon
the adjacent Islands anu seek the bless.
ings of freedom and its consequences,
each inhabitant receiving the reward OF
hi, own labor.
Porto Rico aud Cuba will have to abol-
ish slavery as 4 measure ofsclf preserva-
ton to retain their laborers. San Do
mingo will become Il large consumer oi
the products Of northern farms and manu-
lacturers. The cheap rate at which her
citizens can be furnished with food, tools
and machinery, will make it necessary
that the contiguous Islands have the same
advantages, in order 10 compete in the
production ofsusar, coffee. tobacco, ,rop-
ical fruits, &c. This will open to us II
vide market for our products. The pro-
duclioa OF our own supply ol these arIi-
cles will cut off moro than one hundred
millions of our annual imports. besides
largely increasing our exports. With