The Republican journal., 1870-12-29
SAN DOMINGO IN THE SENATE.

mlnlstration of Jackson over the measures
favored by old Hickory and denounced by
his opponents, nothing has occurred like the
fight over the project for the annexation to
the United States OF the negro empire of San
Domingo. In its final consideration it ragged
Tor two days and night, and although it
was carried by the apparently decisive of 81
to- y, yet under this apparent strength there
are such evil passions and dissensions that
the administration victory is virtually de-
feat. The resolution, as 1t passed, is fol-
lows
Resolved, by the Senate and House of Repres ell
atVes OF the United States of America. in Congress
assembled, That the President of the United States
be authorized to appoint three commissioners, and
also secretary the latter to be ycrsed in the Eng
lsh and Spanish languages, to proceed to the island
OF st. Domingo and to such other Places if any, as
such commissioners may deem necessary, and
there inquire into, ascertain and report the political
state and condition of the republic of Dominica the
probable number of Inhabitants, and the desire and
disposition OF the people of said republic to become
annexed to and form part Of the people of the Unit
ed States, the physical. mental and moral condition
OF SAID people, and their general condition to ma
teria wealth and industrial capacity the resources
of the country its mineral and agricultural pro-
ducts the products of its waters and forests and
the general character of the soil; the extent and
proportion thereof capable of cultivation; the eli
mate and health of the country, its bays, harbors
ana rivers; its meteorological phenomena; the
debt of the government its obligations, whether
1unded and ascertained and admitted, or unadjust-
ed and under discussion; treaties or engagements
with other Powers; the extent of boundaries and
territory; what proportion is covered by foreign
claimants, or b. grants or concessions, and, gener-
ANY, what concessions or franchises have been
granted, with the names OF the respective grantees
and terms and conditions on which the Dominican
government may desire to be annexed to and be-
come part of the United States as one of the Ter
rltorles thereof; and such other information with
respect to said government or its Territories as to
the said commissioners shall seem desirable or i'm
porant with reference to the future incorporation
of said Dominican republic into the United States
as one of its Territories.
/ SEC. ,. And be it further resolved, That said
commissioners shall, as soon as conveniently may
be- report to the President of the United States
who shall lay their report before Congress.
| SEC. 3. And be it further resolved, That said
commissioners shall serve without compensation
except the payment of their expenses and the COM
penSatl0n OF the secretary, which shall be deter
mined by the Secretary OF State, with the approval
of the President.
AS soon as this measure was before the
Senate, on the 21st, Mr.. Sumner launched
at it the fiery arrows of his denunciation. 1t
was, he said, 4 dangerous measure, which
committed Congress to dance of blood.
and was traught with violence and infinite
discredit to the country. 1t had its origin
with firm Of political jockeys in San Do
mingo,-Baez, Fabens and Cazneau-who Sc
duced into it an aid-de-camp of Grants, who
assumed to represent the government of the
United States. A fleet had been sent to
threaten Hayti with violence if she presumed
to interfere. He charged the President with
interfering to procure change of the COM
mittee on Foreign Relations, of which Mr.
Sumner is chairman. The measure would
inevitable produce war, of which a sample
might be seen in the attempt of Spain to sub
due the Cuban patriots. Turning to the
Vice President, with much feeling, Mr.. Sum-
ner continued
Sir, call upon you, who are next to the Chief
Magistrate in place and honor, to call at upon
the President, to repair Immediately to the EXecl-
tive Mansion and tell him by the authority which
you can justly command, not to follow the example
of Franklin Pierce, of James Buchanan and of An
drew johnson; tell him not to Cypress weak and
humble people; tell him not to exercise the war
power without authority Of Congress; tell him not
to forget that there is grandeur in jus tice and in
peace beyond anything in war. Mr.. Vice Pres-
dent appeal to you AS you love this republic as
you are devoted to that party which has 50 recently
honored you, to exercise your great influence to
set the President right on this important matter
The administration view of the matter was
championed by Senator Morton, of Indiana,
who replied at length, and with quite as
much bitterness as the Massachusetts Senator
had employed. He was seconded bv Conk-
lin, of New York, and followed in turn by
many of the Republican Senators, who unit
cd in denuncation of Sumner.
The second day exceeded in venom the
first. Mr.. Sumner stated that naval off,
Ger had told him that he had seen, in Do
minica, choice lots stakcd off and marked
Baez, Grant, Fabens, &c. The Democrats
who spoke, Thurman, Bayard, and others.
opposed the resolution and deprecated the un-
secmly personality of the debate.
The consideration of the measure was con-
tnued until after six o'clock, before vote
was reached. Mr.. Summers concluding
words were
/ conclude as began. protest against this res
olution rs another stage in the drama of blood
protest against it in the name of Justice, outraged
by violence; in the name of Humanity insuted; in
the name of the weak trodden down; in the name
of Peace imperied. and in the name of the African
race whose first effort at independence is rudely
assailcd.
The vote upon the passage of the resolu-
ton was as follows
YEAs-Messrs. Abbott, Ames, Brownlow, Car
penter, Chandler, Cole, Conklin, Corbett Cragin,
Edmunds, Flanagan, Hamilton of Texas Hamlin.
Howe, Howell, Morton, Nye, Osborn, Pomeroy,
Pool, Ramsey, Revels, Ross. Sawyer, Scott, Sher-
man, Stewart, Thayer, Warner, Wiley and Will
liams-31.
NAYs-Messrs. Casscrly, McCreery, Morrill, OF
VT, Patterson, Schurz, Stockton, Sumner A. G.
Thurman and Tipton-9.
The clear inference from all this is that
Sumner will have to be considered in future
as an enemy of the administration. and take
his place by the side of Carl Schurz, who
was east out of the radical para disc for his
late doings in Missouri. The result is a