Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-12-09

and Mr.. Clay contemplated when
they proposed to join the Congress
Of Panama. I'm
SAN DOMINGO.
During the last session Of Con-
gress a 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. I was thoroughly convin-
ced then that the best interests of
the country, commercially and ma
terially, demanded it's ratification.
Time has only confirmed me in this
view. I now firmly believe that
the moment it is known that the
United States have entirely aban-
doned the project of accepting as a
part of it's territory the Island Of
San Domingo, free port will be
negotiated for by European nations.
In the Bay Of SANTANA large COM
mercial city will spring up, to which
we will be tributary without rece;.v-
ing any corresponding benefit. The
government of San Domingo has
voluntarily sought this annexation.
1t is weak power, numbering pro-
badly less than one hundred and
twenty thousand souls, and yet
possessing one of the richest locali-
ties under the sun, capable of sup
porting population of 100000
people in luxury. The people of
San Domingo are not capable of
maintaining themselves in their pre-
sent condition, and must look for
outside support. They yearn for
the protection of our free institu-
tons and laws, our progress and
civilization. Shall we refuse them?
The acquisition of San Domingo
is desirable because Of its gcograph-
ical position. 1t commands the en-
trance to the caribbean Sea and the
isthmus transit of commerce. 1t
possesses the richest soil, the best
and most capacious harbors, the
most salubrious climate, and the
most valuable products of the forest,
mines and soil, of any OF the West
India islands. Its possession by the
United States will in few years
build up a coast-wise commerce OF
immense magnitude, which will 90
far toward restoring to us our lost
merchant marine. 1t will give to
the United States those articles
which we consume greatly and do
not produce, thus equalizing our ex-
ports and imports. In case of for
eign war it will give us command
of all the islands referred to, and
thus prevent an enemy from again
possessing himself of a rendezvous
uron our coast. At present our
coast trade between the States bor-
dering on the Atlantic and those
bordering OF the Gulf of Mexico is
by the Bahamas and the Antilles
twice. We must, as it were, pass
through foreign countries to get
from Georgia to the eastern coast
of Florida. San Domingo, with n
stable government, under which her
immense resources can be develop
ed, will give remunerative wages to
tens of thousands of laborers not
now upon the island. This labor
will take advantage of every availa-
bic means of transportation to aban-
don the adjacent islands and seek
the blessings of its freedom and its
sequence--cach inhabitant receiving
the reward of his own labor. Porto
Rico and Cuba will have to abolish
slavery as measure of self preser-
walton to retain their laborers. San
Domingo will become a large con-
sumer of the productions of our
northern farms and manufactures.
The cheap rate at which her citizens
can be furnished with food, tools,
and machinery will make it neces.
sary that contiguous islands should
have the same advantages in order
to compete with her in the produc-
ton of sugar, coffee, tobacco, tropi-
cal fruits, ETC., etc. This will open
to us wider market for our pro-
ducts. The production Of our own
supply of these articles will cut off
more than 100000 900 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 extin-
guished. With a balance of trade
against us, including the interest Of
bonds held by foreigners, and money
shipments to our citizens travelling
in foreign lands, equal to the entire
yield ofprecious metals IN this coun-
try, and it is not easy to see how
this result is to be otherwise accom-
plishcd. The acquisition Of San
Domingo is an adhesion to the
Monroe doctrine as measure OF
national protection. 1t is asserting
our Just claim to the controlling in
fuence over the great commercial
traffic soon to flow from west to
east, by way of the Isthmus of Dari
en-. 1t is to build up our merchant
marine. 1t is to furnish markets
for the products Of our farmers,
shops and manufacturers. 1t is to
make slavery unsupportable in Cuba
and Porto Rico at once, aud ulti-
mately so in Brazil. 1t is to settle
the unhappy condition. Of Cuba, and
end an cxterminating conflict there.
1t is to provide honest means of
paying our honest debts without
over-taxing the people. 1t is to
furnish our citizens with the neces-
saries of every day life at cheaper
rates than ever before. 1t is, in
fine, a rapid stride towards that
greatness which the intelligence,
industry and enterprise Of the citi-
zcns of the United States entitle this
country to assume among nations.
In view of the importance of this
question | earnestly urge upon Con-
grcss early action expressive of its
views as to the best means of &C
curing San Domingo. My suggcs-
ton is that, by joint resolution of
the two houses Of Congress, the Ex-
ecutive be authorized to appoint
y commissioner TO ncnociate for a