Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-05

soNernInenU capable OF maintaining ordet, anu
u pre1eryisg their respective territorial integ-
-fty, and OF our sincere wish to extend OUT
own commercial and social relations with thez.
The time is not probably far distant, when, in
the nasura al order Of events, the European po-
liticai connection with this continent will cease.
Our policy should be shaped, in view e this
SO as to ally the commercial inter
ests OF the Spanish American States moro closely
- our own, and thus give the United States
al the pfe-eminence and all the sivansage
which Mr.. Monroe, Nj. Adams, ana Mr.. Clay
contemplated when they proposed to join in the
Congress OF Panama.
During the last session of Congress, a treaty
for the annexatien OF the Republic OF San
Domingo TO the United States faded to receive
the requisite two thirds vote of the Senate. l
was thoroughly convinced then that the best
interest OF this country, cOumercially AID
materially demanded its Taiin cation. Time has
only confirmed me in this view. L now firmly
believe that the moment 1t il known that the
United States kave entirely sbandoned the pro
Jet Of sceeySng, As part Of its territory; TIE
negotiated Fsr, by European nations, in the
Bay OF SamaFa. A large commercial
city viii spring up, 20 which We will
benefits gEId then will I've seen the folly o. our
TeieCttsIS so great prize. The government of
san Domingo has voluntarily sought this an
uCNS-iUi.. 1t i a weak COVER, numbering PROB
ably les shan one hundred and twenty thousand
sous. md yet pOssessiI one of the richest ter
TitorIeS under the sur. capable OF supporting
population Of ten millions of people in luxury.
Tucl,eOplc # San Domingo are not capable ct
maintaining themselves in their present con-
di-ion. and must lOoi- for outside support. They
yeIrn for the prOts ;tiOn of our tree institutions
and laws, our progress and civilization. Shall
We refuse them?
The acquisition of San Domingo is desirable
because of its gee gral'hica position IL coIf
THandS the entrance Ia the Caribbean Sea and
the lsthnnus transit of commerce 1t possesses
the richest soil, best and most capacious bHr
horS. most salubriOus climate, and the most val
ualhe products of the forest. mine and soil Of
any uf the West India islands It's possession
by Us will in a few years build W coast-wise
commerce OF immense magnitude, which will
20 far toward restoring TO us our lost merchant
marine IL viii give tn us those articles which
We consume 50 largely and do not produce, thus
equaliZing our exports and imports. In case of
foreign war, il will give us command OF all
the islands referred to, and thus prevent an
enemy from ever again possessing himself
OF rendezvous upon our very coast. At present
our coast trade between the States bordering ON
the Atlantic and those bordering on the Gulf OF
Mexico is cut in two by the Bahamas and the
Antilles. Twice we must, as IL were, pass
through foreign countries to get, by sea, from
Georgia to the west coast of Florida.
San Domingo, with a stable government,
under which her immense resources can be de-
Of thousands Of laborers not now upon the
island. This labor will take advantage
of every available means of transpor
and seek the blessings of freedom and its Sc
quence-each inhabitant receiving tho re-
ward of his ewn labor, Porto Rico and Cuba
y -
self preservation, to retain their laborers.
San Domingo will become @ large consumer
of the products of Northern farms and manu-
esn M
machinery viii make 1t necessary that con-
tiguOus islands should have the same advan-
tages, in order to compete in the production Of
sugar, coffee, tobacco, tropical fruits, ac. This
will open to US a still wider market for our
products. The production of our own supply
of these articles will cut off more than
one hundred millions Of our
annual imports, besides largely Increasing
our exports. With such picture 1t is easy TO
see how our large debt abroad is ultimately to
be extinguished. With a balance of trade
against US, (including interest and bonds held
by foreigners, and money spent by our citi-
zeps travelling in foreign lands,) equal To the
country, it is not so easy to see how this
suit is TO be otherwise accomplished. TIE
acquisition of san Domingo is an ad-
heTence TO the Monroe doctrine" II Is a
measure Of national protection; il is asserting
our Just claim to a controlling influence over
the great commercial ira ffic soon to flow from
Wet to East, by way Of the Isthmus of Da-
rien; il is to build up our merchant marine; it
Is 20 furnish new markets for the products of
our ,sIms, shops and manufatories; 1t is to
make slavery insupportable in Cuba and Por-
to Rico at once, and ultimately so in Brazil;
il is to settle tie unhappy condition of Cuba,
and end an exterminating conflict; il is to pro-
woe honest means OF paying our honest debts,
nisb our citizens with the ne cessaries Of every
day lite at cheaper rates than ever before; and
il is in tine, rapid stride towards that great
ness which the intelligence, industry, and
enterprise of the citizens of the United States
entitle this country TO assume among nations.
In view of the importance Of this question /
earnestly urge Upon Congress early action.
expressive OF its views as TO the best means CT
acquiring San Domingo. My suggestion is.
that by Joint resolution of the two houses OF
Congress, the Executive be authorized to ap-
PC 1T a commission to negotiate a treaty with
tie authorities of San Dc mipgo for the acqui-
siti on OF that island, and that an appropria-
ttoD he made to defray TIE expenses of such a
commission. The question may then be de-
termiDed, either by the action Of the Senate
upon the treaty, or tie Joint action OF the two
houses OF Congress upon resolution Of an
TexatiCn, a. In the case of the acquisition of
Texas. So convinced am i Of the advantages
10 flow from the acquisition of San Domingo,
and Of the great disadvantages, i might al
most say calamities to flow from nOn-acquisi-
ton, that l believe the subject has only 20 be
Investigated TO be approved.
Ii i TO be regretted that our representations
IN r( gard TO the injurious effects, especially
upon the revenue OF the United States, of the
policy of the Mexican government, in exempt
ing from imPost duties a large tract OF its Terri
tory on our borders, have not only been
fruitless, but that il is even proposed. in that
country, TO eXteTd the limits within which the
privilege adTerted to has hitherto been enjoy
ed The expediency OF taking into your serious
cons iCeratiOn, proper measures tor countervsi-
ing the policy referred TO, will, IL Is presumed,
engage Jour earnest attention.
1t H. the OF vious interest, especially OF neigh
boring nations, 10 provide against immunity to
those who may have committed high crimes
" thin their borders, and who NAV have sought
refuge abroad For this purpose extrauTion
frtatIt> have been concluded with several az the
Central American Republics, and others are in
lTosTes>-
The - nSe OF Congress i desired, as early a.
may lie convenient, upon the proceedings OF
IL, Commission on Claims against Venezuela.
a. CI nImunicated In my messages OF March 10th.
iStS. Narch l, 100. aud March 81. $50. II has
Dot been dee med advisable 10 distribute any OF
the money which has been received from that
Government until Congress shall have acted Oh
the subject.
The 2assacres of French and Russian resi-
dents at Tien Tsln, under circumstances OF
great barbarity, were supposed By some to nave
been premeditsted, and 10 indicate purpose
amorg the populace to exterminate foreigners
IN the Chinese Empire. Tho evidence fails to
establish such a supposition, but shows q COM
plieity between the local authorities and the
mob. The Government at Pekin, however,
seems 10 have been disposed TO fulfill its treaty
oblig atons 40 far a. il was able to do so. In
fortunately the news OF the VAT between the
German States and France reached China soon
after the massacre. it would appear that the
popular mind became possessed with the
idea that this contest. extending to
Chinese waters. would neutralize