Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-12-30
ST DOMINGO.

Many persons might think by reading
the newspapers at present, that st. Domin-
20 was a great and mighty nation some
where. either on the earth, or the planet
Jupiter, or Saturn, or perhaps one OF the
satellites that is just on the point of flying
off into space by centrifugal force, and
going to play comet hereafter, unless the
power of the United States government
got possession of it and chained it down.
The way they talk of it in Congress
would convey the idea that 1T is land
that "howeth with milk and honey, and
the cities are walled and very great and
that the giants, the sons of Anak are there,
and that we would be as grasshoppers in
their sight"
Gen. Grant, in imitation of Joshua and
Caleb, has spied out this land and brings
. good report, and recommends the people
to possess it. But there are many other
great and good men, of whom Senator
Sumner stands at the head, think the
government had better persevere and pay
off the war debt and reduce the revenues
and taxation, than 60 into the wholesale
purchase of figs, grapes, pine-apples, mon
keys, and kangaroos, and therefore object
to and oppose every movement that the
President makes toward acquiring the lit
tie island Of St. Domingo. Congress COM
pletely voted down the whole scheme once,
and thought it was entirely smothered out;
but the President, in his last message,
kindled the flames anew and it still burns.
The President asked for delegation to be
sent to spy out the land, after the manner
Moses sent them to view the land Of Ca
man, and perhaps with similar instruc-
tons: "Get you up this way southwark,
and see the land what it is; and the peo-
pie that dwelleth therein, whether they be
strong or weak, few or many and what
the land is that they dwell in, whether it
be good or bad and what cities they be
that they dwell in, whether in tents or
strong holds; and what the land is, whelh-
er it he fat or lean, whether there be wood
therein or not. And be we Of good cour-
age, and bring the fruit of the land"
The President asked Congress to au7
thorize him to send out these spies to spy
out the land Of St Domingo, and upon this
question has sprung up in Congress one
Of the grandest scenes of personal vituper-
ations, ordinations and recriminat;ons
that has been witnessed in the national
halls of legislation since the secession
from Congress in 1860. Senators have
taken direct issue with the President, and
the President with Senators, until it ap-
pears that the whole policy of the present
administration of the government must
stand OF fall by this question. 1t is this
question of the acquisition of st. Domingo,
At present. while the people all over the
country are clamoring for the reduction
of the revenues and taxation, that is fast
giving life and impetus to the new Reve-
nue. Reform party.
The President has succeeded so far in
his st. Domingo scheme as TO procure the
consent OF Congress to the appointment
Of delegates to he sent to that island with
. view to reporting as to the policy of its
purchase, which action of Congress is con-
sidered fair test Of their willingness to
purchase the island.
If President Grant succeed in the acqui-
sition of this island, the opposing party
will, without doubt, prosecute the scheme
Of the Revenue Reform party, and go to
the people with an argument that will be
overwhelming in its nature, and perhaps
will carry the popular vote.