The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-12-09

xhsn In The natural course Of eycnts the Euro
rean uolitical connestkn with this continent
.iIl cease. Our policy should be chapel In ves
Of this probability - Al 10 ally The commercial
interests Of the Spanish American States more
closely TO our own, and thus give the United
States all the pre-emineuce and all the sdrAn-
tage. which Mr.. Monroe, Mr.. Adams and Mr..
Clay Contemplated when they proposed to joan
In the Congress Of Panama.
SAN DOMINGO.
During the last ser sion Of Congress treaty
for the annexation Of the Republic Of San Do
mingo 10 the United States failed TO receive the
requisite tvo-thiris vote Of the Sonata. 1 was
thoroughly convinced then that the best interests
OF this country. commercially and materially.
demanded its ratification. Time has only con-
6rmed me in this view. I now firmly believe
that the moment Il Is known that the United
States have entirely abandoned the project Of
accepting rs part Of its territory the island Of
San pOmipgo free port win be negotiated for
by European nations. In the bay Of Samsna
large commercial city win spring ur, to which
We will be tributary without receiving CORES
ponling benefits.
The government Of San Domingo has volunta-
rily sought this annexation. Ii Is q weak power
numbering probably less than 10000 souls,
and yet possessing one Of the richest localities
under the sun, and capable Of supporting q
population Of 10. OO0, 600 Of people in luxury.
The people Of San Domingo are not capable Of
maintaining themselves in their present condi-
ton, and must look for outside support. They
yesrn for the protection OF our feet, institutions
and laws, our progress and civilization. Shall
We refuse themf The sequisition OF San Do
mingo is desirable because Of Its geographical
positions. Il commands the entrance Of the
caribbean and the Isthmus, the transit Of COM
merce. II possesses the richest soil, the best
and most capacious harbor. the most salubrious
pursst mines and soil Of any Of the West Indies
Islands. Its possession by rs viii in q few years
build up a coast wise commerce Of immense mag
nitude, which will 70 far towords restoring to US
those articles which We consider greatly and do
not produce, thus conolring our exports and
imports. In case Of foreign war Il will give
us command Of all Of the islands, and thus pre-
vent an enemy from ayailing himself OF rendeI-
yous on our coast. At present our coast trade
between the States bordering the Gulf OF
Mexico is by the Bahamas and the Antilles.
Twice we must, as II were, pass through foreign
countries to get by from Georgia to the west
coast Of Florida San Domingo with n suitable
government under which her immense resources
can be developed will give rcmuneratye wages
to 10000 laborers not now upon the Island.
This labor will take advantage Of every avail
ance and means Ct transportation to abandon
the adjacent Islands and seek the the blessings
Of freedom and its consequences, each inhabitant
receiving the reward Of his own labor.
Porto Rico and Cuba viii have to abolish
slavery as measure Of self preservation TO re-
tain their laborers. San Domingo will become
q large consumer Of the products OF northern
farms and manufacturers The cheap rate at
which her citizens can be furnished with food,
tools and machinery, will make II necessary
that the contiguous Islands have the same ad-
yantages, in order to compete In the production
Of sugar, coffee, tobacco, tropical fruits, &c.
This will open 20 US q wide market for our
products. The production OF our own supply
Of these articles will cut OF more than one hum
dred millions Of our annual imports, besides
largely increasing our exports. With such
picture IL Is easy 10 see how our large debt
abroad is ultimately to be eItinguished. With
a balance Of trade against US, including the in
terest Of bonds held by foreigners, and money
shipments TO our citizens travelling in foreign
lands, equal to the entire yield Of precious met
ais in this country, IL Is not 50 easy to see how
this result is 10 be otherwise accomplished. The
acquisition Of San Domingo Is an adherence TO
the Monroe doctrine. IL is 4 measure Of M
tional protection. II is asserting our just
claims and controlling influence over the great
commercial traffic soon 20 flow from west TO east,
by way Of the isthmus Of Dsrien. IL Is 10
build up cur me, chant and marine. IL Is to
furnish new markets for the products Of our
farms, shops, and manufactures. Il Is TO make
slavery unsupportable in Cuba and Porto Rico,
ut once and ultimately 50 in Brazil. II Is to
provide honest means Of paying our honest
debts, without oyer-taxing the people. II Is to
furnish our citizens with the necessaries OF ey-
cry day life at cheaper rates than ever before,
and il II, in fine, q rapid stride towards that
greatness which the intelligence 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 upn Congress early action i'm
pressiye Of its views rs TO the best means Of &c
Quiring San Domingo. My suggestion is that
by joint resolution Of the two Houses Of Con-
grcss the executive be authorized to appoint .
com mission to negotiate q treaty with the au-
thorities OF San Domingo for the acquisition Of
that Island; that an appropriation be made to
defray the expenses Of such commission, and
the question then be determined by the action
Of the two Houses Of Congress upon q resolu-
ton Of annexation, rs in the case Of the acqui-
stion Of Texas. So convinced am Of all the
advantages to How from the acquisition Of San
Domingo and Of the great disadvantages,
might almost say calsmitiSs, from the non-ac-
QUESTION, that believe the subject has only TO
be investigated to be approved.
THE MEXICAN sNuGGIERs.
II Is to be regretted that our representations
in regard to the injurious effects especially upon
the revenue Of the United States, Of the policy
Of the Mexican government in sxempting from
export duties the products Of large tract Of
its territory on our borders have not only been
fruitless, but that II is even proposed In that
country TO extend the limits within which the
privilege sdyerted to has been enjoyed. The
expediency Of taking into your serious consid-
Grafton proper measures for counteracting, the
policy referred TO, will, IL Is presumed, engage
your earnest attention.
FURTHER ENrRApIrIoN DESIRABLE.
IL Is the obvious interest. especially Of neigh
boring nations, to provide against the impunity
Of those who may have committed high crimes
within their borders, and who may have sought
rtiugt tOfO1u. TUT Nuts puPSS eAuuduoh
treaties have been concluded with several Of the
Central American republics, and others are in
progress.
CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA.
The sense Of Congress is Congress is desired
rs early as may be convenient upon the pro-
cecding o. the commission on the claims against
Venezuela as communicated in my message OF
March 4th, 1860, March LIST, 1870, and March
3lst. 1870. II has not been deemed advisable
to distribute any Of the money which has been
received from the government until Congress
shall have acted upon the subject
TIE cHrNsk.
The massacre Of the French and Russian res
deuts streintIen. under circumstances Of great
barbsrity, were supposed by some to have been
prsmclitated, and in purpose among the pop
ulsce to e1terminate foreigners in the Chinese
empire. The evidence fails to establish such .
upposition. but shows q completely by the local
authorities and the mob. The government ut
Pekin, however, seems 10 have been disposed 10
fulfil its treaty obligations - far rs il WAS able