The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-04-14
Grant and San Domingo.

It is not a pleasant sight to behold Pres
ident STOPPING from his high office and as
Stunning the vulgar role OF Congressional
lobbyist 1t is the business of President
to execute the laws that may be passed by
Congress, but never to become en- active and
busy psrticipator in their enactment. No
President has ever before compromised his
dignity by making electioneering visits
to the Capitol and attempting to decide
doubtful question by throwing into the scale
his own personal aud official influence. Iu
the better days of the republic, such scene
would have shocked the moral sense Of the
whole country and called forth the severest
denunciation. What the first Washington,
or any of his other successors, would have
scorned to do, has been reserved for the
second $50 called) to attempt.
1t is well known that treaty has been
formed between Grant and Baez, the Presi-
dent of San Domingo, for the annexation to
the United States, of that disturbed and rev.
olutionary portion of the Island of Hayti.
with its semi i-barbarous negroes and its un-
ascertained debt. What reasons exist why
it is desirable that this acquisition of tropi-
cal territory should be made by our govern
ment, at this particular time, has never been
made apparent to the people of this country.
although we have no doubt that the credi-
tors of San Domingo see pressing necessity
for it, aas in that event their claims would be
paid by the government of the United States.
This treaty between Grant and his friend
Baez was referred, during the present ses-
sion of the Senate, to the Committee on
Foreign relations and was reported adversely.
This was blow from an unexpected quar-
ter, and one that was not anticipated by
Grant, who vainly supposed that it was only
necessary to let it be known that he favored
the project, and that it had the sanction Of
his great name. in order to secure its endorse
and establishing his headquarters in room
adjoining the Senate chamber, attended by
one of his faithful Brigadier Generals, sent
for certain Senators who were known to be
opposed to the treaty and attempted by per-
sonal appeals to induce them to vote for its
ratification. Not meeting with the success
in this direction which he expected, he next
tried what virtue there might be in a grand
dinner at the White House. to which those
same Senators were Invited. The result was
that his guests were as little influenced by
his feast as they had been by his personal
solicitations. and the time for the ratification
of the treaty having expired without any
definite action by the Senate, it fell to the
ground, at least for the present.
There is mystery about Grants exceed
ing anxiety in reference to this San DomiD-
60 business, to be followed, if successful, by
the annexation of Hayti and Cuba. which it
is difficult to explain. 1t is believed by
many who have good opportunities for know
ing, that in his negotiations with Baeg,
Grant has drawn enormously on the secret
service fund, satisfactory explanation of
which might be extremely difficult, as well
as unpleasant. Be that as it may, it is GER
tain that this wild, visionary and plunder-.
ing sCHeue mas oniy Oeen OeIerTed 1or
time and has not by any means been finally
abandoned. A joint resolution of Congress
will as affectually accomplish the swindle as
the ratification Of the treaty. That Grant
will ssoop to any means to accomplish his
purpose, after what has already occurred, is
perfectly manifest. We Judge that the tax
ridden people Of this country are heartily
sick of the experiment, as far as it has been
tried, of acquiring foreign territory The
money spent for the purchase of Alaska,
with its almost tangible fogs, its fur bearing
seals and its worthless Indians. might as
well have been sunk to the bottom of the
ocean. San Domingo, with its negroes. its
debts, and its chronic revolutions, would be
burden both expensive and iptolersble.