The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-09

dRTeeu 10 ny elUneT WITHOUT ulSnOnOT.
1t is to be hoped that this moderate de-
mand may be acceded to by Spain with
out further delay. Should the pending
pectedly pass by without result it will
then become my duty to communicate
that fact to Congress and invite its at
tention on the subject.
The long deferred peace conference
between Spain and the allied South
American republics has been inaugura.
ted in Washington under the auspices
of the United States. Pursuant to the
recommendation contained in the reso-
luton of the House of Representatives
of the 18th of December, 1866, the ex-
ecutive part Of the government offered
its friendly offices for the promotion of
peace and harmony between Spain and
the allied republics, but hesitations and
obstacles occurred to the acceptance of
the offer. Ultimately, however, con-
ference was arranged, and was opened
in this city on the Goth of October last,
at which L authorized the Secretary o {
State to preside. 1t was attended by
the Ministers of Spain, Peru, Chilli and
Ecuador. In consequence of the alb
sence of n representative from Bolivia
the conference adjourned until tho at.
tendance of potentiaries from that
republic could be secured or other mea-
sures could be adopted toward compass
sing its objects. The allied and other
republics of Spanish origin on this con-
tinent may see in this fact new proof
OF our sincere interest in their welfare
and OF our desire to see them blessed
with good governments, capable of
maintaining order and preserving their
territorial integrity, and of our sincere
wish to extend our own commercial and
social relations with them. The time
is probably not far distant when in
the natural course of events, the Euro
pean political connection with this con
tinent will cease. Our policy should
be shaped in view of this probability
so as to ally the commercial interests OF
the Spanish American States more
closely to our own and thus give the
United States all the prominence and
al the advantage which Mr.. Monroe,
when they proposed to join in the Con-
gress of Panama.
During the last session of Congress q
treaty for the annexation of the repub-
lie OF San Domingo to the United States
failed to receive the requisite two thirds
vote of the Senate. l was thoroughly
convinced then that the best interests
of this country, commercially and ma.
terially, demanded its ratification
Time has only confirmed me in this
view l now firmly believe that the
moment it is known that the United
States has entirely abandoned the pro
ject of accepting as part of its territory
the island of San Domingo free port
will be negotiated for by European ma
tions, and on the Bay of Samana large
commercial city will spring up, to which
we will be tributary without receiving
corresponding benefits. Then will bt
seen the folly of neglecting so great {
prize. The government of San Domin
60 has voluntarily sought this annexa
ton. 1t is a weak power, numbering
probably less than 10000 souls, and ye
possessing one of the richest territories
under the sun. capable of supporting {
population of ten millions of people in
luxury. The people of San Domingo
are not capable of maintaining them
selves in their present condition, an1
must look for outside support They
yearn for the protection of our free in
stitutions and laws, our progress anC
civilization. Shall we refuse them?
The acquisition of San Domingo is de
sirable, because of its geographical posi-
ton. 1t commands the entrance to thu
caribbean sea, and the isthmus transi
OF commerce. 1t possesses the riches
SOIL, best and capacious harbors, mos
salubriOuS climate, and the most valua
BILE products Of the forest, mine and sol
of any other West India Islands. 1t
possession by us will, in few years
build up coastwise commerce of i'm
mepse magnitude, which will go fa
toward restoring to us cur lost mer
chant marine. 1t will give to us tn,
articles which we consume so largel,
| and do not produce, thus equalizing ou
exports and imports. In case of foreign
war it will give US command of all the
Islands referred to, and thus prevent al
enemy from ever again possessing him
self Uf rendezvous upon our very coast
AT present, our coast trade between tn,
| States, bordering on the Atlantic anC
those bordering on the Gulf of Mexico
| is cut into by the Bahamas and Antil
les twice. We must, as it were, pas
through foreign countries to get by SCI
from Georgia to the west coast of Flor
| ida. San Domingo, with a stable gov
ernment under which her immense re
sources can be developed, will give re
munerative wages to tens of thOusand
of laborers not now upon the island
This labor will take advantage of ever,
available means of transportation t
abandon the adjacent islands and seeI
the blessings of freedom and its Sc
quence, each inhabitant receiving tn,
reward of his own labor. Porto Ric,
and Cuba will have to abolish SLAYER,
as measure of self preservation to re
tain their laborers. San Domingo vii
become large consumer of the product
of northern farms and manufactures
The cheap rate at which her citizen
can be furnished with food, tools ant
machinery, will make it necessary tina
contiguous islands should have the SAM
advantages in order to compete in tn
production Of sugar, coffee and tobacco
tropical fruits, etc. This will open t,
us a still wider market for our products
The production OF our own supply o
! the articles will cut off more than on
hundred millions of our annual import
| besides largely increasing our exports
With such picture it is easy to Sc
how our large debt abroad is ultimate
ly to be extinguished. With balanc
of trade against us, including interes
on bonds held by foreigners and none,
spent by our citizens travelling in for
eign lands, equal to the entire yield O
| the precious metals in this country,
is not so easy to see how this result
to be otherwise accomplished. The ac
quisition OF San Domingo is an adher
ence to the Monroe doctrine. 1t is
measure of national protection. 1t
asserting our just claim to a controllin,
influence over the great Commercial
traffic soon to flow from west to east b,
way Of the Isthmus of Darien. 1t is t
build up our merchant marine. 1t is {,
furnish new markets for the products G
our farms, shops and manufactures. j
is to make slavery insupportable il
Cuba and Porto Rico at once and ulti
mately so in Brazil. 1t is to settle tn
unhappy condition of Cuba and end a
exterminating conflict. 1t is to provid
honest means OF paying our homes
debts without overtaxing the people
1t is to furnish our citizens with tn
necessaries of every day life at cheape
rates than ever before, and it is to fin
a rapid stride toward that greatnes
which the intelligence, industry an
enterprise of the citizens of the Unite
States entitle this country to hol