Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-12-24


sincere wish to extend our ewn commercial
and social relations with them. The time
is probably not far distant when, in the
natural course Of events, the European po-
litical connection with this continent will
cease. Our policy should be shaped in
view Of this probability, 90 ~ to ally the
interssts Of the Spanish Amer
lean -6fates more closely 10 our ,swu, and
shusgive the United States ell tie pre-em-
inence and all the advantages which Mr..
Monroe, Mr.. Adams, and Mr.. Clay con-
when they proposed to join the
Congress of Panama. : ta. ra,0
ACQUISITION OF SAN DOMINGO.
During the last session of Congress, q
treaty for the annexation Of the Republic
Of San Domingo to the United States failed
to receive the requisite two.thirds vote of
the Senate. was thoroughly convinced
then that the best interests of the country,
commercially and materially, demanded its
ratification. Time has only confirmed me
in this view. now firmly believe that the
moment 1t Is known that the United States
have entirely abandoned the project of ac-
cepting as part of its territory the Island
Of San Domingo, free port will be nego-
tiated for by European nations iu the Bay
of Samana. A large commercial city will
spring up, to which we will be tributary
without receiving corresponding benefits,
by the more than folly of our rejection. It
is agreed that the Government of San Do.
miugo has voluntarily sought this annexa-
ton it is q weak power, numbering less
than one hundred and twenty thousand
souls, aud yet possessing one of the richest
localities under the sun, capable of sup
porting population Of ten millions Of peo.
pie in luxury.
The people of San Domingo are not ca
pable of maintaining themselves in their
present condition, and must look for out
side support. They yearu for the protcc-
ton Of our free institutions and laws, our
progress and civilization. Shall we refuse
them? The acquisition of San Domingo
is desirable because Of its geographical po-
stion it commands the entrance to the
Caribbean Sea, and the Isthmus transit Of
It possesses the richest soil,
the best and most capacious harbors, most
salubrious climate, aud most valuable pro-
ducts Of the forests, mines aud soil Of any
of the West India islands. Its possession
by tho United States, will, in few years,
build up coastwise commerce of immense
which will 60 far to restore to
the United States our lost merchant marine.
II will give to US those articles which We
greatly, and do not produce, thus
our exports and imports. In
casa Of foreign war, it will give us CON-
mand Of all the islands referred to, and
thus prevent any enemy from again pos
sessiug himself Of rendezvous upon our
coast
At present the coast trade between Che
States bordering on the Atlantic and those
on the Gulf of Mexico is by the Bahamas
and the Antilles. Thus We must, as it
we're, pass through foreign countries to get
by from Georgia to the east Of Florida.
San Domingo with . stable government,
under which her immense resources can be
developed, will give remunerative wages
to ten thousand laborers, not now upon the
island This labor will take advantage Of
every available means Of transportation to
abandon the adjacent islands, and seek the
blessings of its freedom, and, as a conse-
iuence, each inhabitant receiving the re-
ward of his own labors, Porto Rico and
Cuba will have to abolish slavery as q
measure Of selfpreservation to retain their
laborers. .s .-..e ..sf...t 4f
San Domingo will become large con.
sumer of the products Of the Northern
farms and manufactures. The cheap rate
1t which her citizens can be furnished with
food, tools and machinery, will make it ne
cessary that the contiguous islands should
have the same advantages in order to com.
pete With the production Of sugar, coffee,
lobaceoa and tropical fruits. This will open
10 rs wider market for our products, and
The production Of our supply Of these arti-
caes will cut of more than one hundred
millions Of our annual imports, besides
largely increasing our exports.
With such pictarei il is easy to see how
odt large debt abroad is ultimately to be
With . balance Of trade
against Us, including the interest on bonds
held by foreigners, and money shipments
to our citizens travelling in foreign lands.
equal to the entire yield of precious metals
10 this country,it is not easy to see how
this result is to be otherwise accomplished.
The acquisition of San Domingo is an ad-
hcsion to the Monroe Doctrine; it is a
measure Of national protection it is assert.
ing our just claim to a controlling influence
over the great commercial traffic soon to
dow from the West to the East, by way Of
the Isthmus Of Darien; It is-to build up
our merchant marine; il is to furnish new
markets for the products Of our farms,
shops and manufactures it is to make
slavery insupportable 10 Cuba and Porto
Rico At once, aud ultimately so in Brazil
It is to settle the unhappy condition. Of
Cuba, and end an exterminating conflict
Il is to provide an honest means Of paying
our honest debts, without over. taxing the
people; it is to furnish our citiseus with
the necessaries of everyday life at cheaper
rates than ever before, and it is, in fue, a
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