The New York herald., 1870-03-31
General Grant, the Senate and che Do
miuiCan Tr0afY.

minioan Treaty.
The United States Senate, since the pur-
chase Of Alaska (4S1 900 square miles on the
main land and string of islands which no
man can number stretching clean across the
Pacific Ocean, and all for 81, 600 in Cali
fornia gold) has become somewhat distrustful
of any further investments for the present in
real estate. The Conscript Fathers, in fact
look upon Alaska, the home of the white bear,
as white elephant, and not knowing what to
do with him they don't want any more ele-
plants, white or black. Hence the failure of
the st. Thomas treaty, although certain vol
canic eruptions, earthquakes and tidal waves
in that quarter played the mischief with the
King Of Denmark Even Cuba appears to
have lost its attractions as the ''key Of the
Gulf" and the splendid island of st. Domingo,
rich beyond comparison in all the riches of the
tropics, goes begging in the Senate, although
offered for song.
General Grant has concluded treaty with
the government concerned for the annexation
Of the republic Of Domnica-two- thirds or
more of the island of st. Domingo, the repub-
lie Of Hayh holding the remainder The an
nexation of Dominica would be speedily fol-
lowed by that of Hayti, thus securing us the
entire island, the possession of which would
inevitably soon result in the acquisition of all
the surrounding islands, beginning with Cuba.
Moreover Senator Morton has shown that in
1888 (when negro slavery was in full blast
there) the productions of st. Domingo reached
the enormous figure of one hundred and fifty
million dollars per annum, giving employment
to seven hundred vessels and twenty-seven
thousand seamen-facts which sufficiently at
island. In our possession this maximum of
one hundred and fifty millions of products
would soon be restored. In coffee and sugar
alone the crops Of the island within ten years
would reduce the cost of coffee throughout the
United States to third its present price, and
sugar to one-half. How and why, then, is it
that the Senate opposes this treaty which pro-
vides to secure us this island for q bagatelle
Mr.. Sumner, they say, does not want any
more niggers. He has had enough. On his
Alabama claims he is looking to the acquisi-
ton of Canada and the white folks up there
but he shrinks from Mexico, Cuba, st. Do
mingo and all those tropical places, because
of the niggers and hybrids Of all shades and
crosses which make up their population. We
had supposed that the fifteenth amendment,
establishing perfect equality of colors and
races, would give us scope and verge enough
to take in everything down to Brazil. But,
then, it appears Mr.. Sumner has other objec-
tions to Dominica, such as the unknown debts
Of that republic, and upon these, it is said,
the Senate is dead against this treaty.
Just here, however, we have touch of the
shrewd common sense and far-reaching
sagacty of General Grant. He proposes that
treaty until q competent commission to
Dominica shall have inquired into all these
objections, and made straight and specific
contract in dollars and cents. And we cannot
believe that this fair proposition will be dis
regarded by the Senate.
The Presidents reasons for the acquisition
Of the island we hold to be conclusive. In the
article Of sugar (of which the United States
consume seventy-fve million dollars WORTHY
and in coffee and other tropical products st.
Domingo would largely contribute to turn the
general balance of trade in our favor. Then
the laws of Cuba and Porto Rico being
against our commerce the possession of st.
Domingo is necessary to establish our trade on
proper footing in the West Indies, and will
do it. Again, our country has become so i'm
mense that 1t needs outposts for military secu-
rity against hostile European combinations,
and nowhere do we need commanding out
post so much as in the Gulf of Mexico. Such
are General Grants views of the importance
Of this Dominican treaty Of annexation; and
though obstructed for the present in the SEN
ate, the proposed acquisition on the general
argument indicated must prevail
THE HAYLoFT DEMOCRACY are, like the
cherub aloft, looking out for the good of the
State.