The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-12-13

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friendly arbitration. During the pres.
ent year it was referred by the joint con-
sent of Brazil and the United States to
the decision of Sir Edward Thornton
Her Britannia Majesty's Minister at
who kindly undertook the
task OF examining the volum-
inons mass OF correspondence and tes-'
timony submitted by the two govern
ments, and awarded to the United States
the sum of Sl0O, 740 09in gold which has
since been paid by tire Imperial Gov
ernment. These recent examples show
that the mode which the United States
have proposed to Spain for adjusting the
pending claims is just and feasible and
that it may lie agreed to Ivy either nation
without dislronor. 1t is to be hoped
that this moderate demand may be ac-
ceded to bysSpain without further delay.
Should the pending negotiations unfor-
tunately and unexpectedly be without
result, it will then become my duty to
communicate that fact to Congress and
invite its action on the subject.
SOUTH AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE.
The long deferred peace conference
between Spain and the allied South
American Republics has been inaugura
ted in Washington under the auspices OF
the United States. Pursuant to the re-
concentrations contained in the reso-
luton of the House of Representatives,
of the seventeenth of Decemhers 1866,
the Executive Department. of the Gov
ernment offered its friendly offices for
the promotion of peace and harmony
besween SPAN and the allied republics
Hesitations and obstacles occurred sto
the acceptance of the offer. Ultimately.
however, conference was arranged and
was opened in this city on the 18th OF
October, last, at which ] authorized the
Secretary of State to preside. 1t was
attended by the Ministers of Spain, Pc
ru,, Chill and Ecuador. In consequence
of the absence Of a representative from
Bolivia, the conference was adjourned
until the attendance of a plcnipotentia-
ry from that republic could bc secured,
or other measures could be adopted to-
wards composing its object The allies
and the republics of Spanish reign on
this continent may see in this fact a new
proof of our sincere interest in their
welfare, our desire to see them blest
with good government capable of main
tanning order and preserving their re:
spective territorial integrity, and of oul
sincere wish to- extend our own CONNER
cial and social relations with them. The
time is not probably far distant when in
natural course of events the European
political connection with this continent
will cease. Our policy should be shaped
in view of this probability SO as to ally
the commercial interests of the Spanish
American States more closely to ouI
own and thus give the United States all
the pre- eminence, and all the advantage
which Mr.. Monroe, Mr. Adams and Mr.
Clay contemplated when they proposed
to join the Congress of Panama,-
~ InE GAN DUMlNVV DOoiNcoo' f !ts.
During the last session of Congress, Z
treaty for the annexation Of the Repub
lie of San Domingo to the United States
failed to receive the requisite two-thirds
vote of the Senate. l was thoroughly
convinced thatthe best interests Of the
country commercially and materially de
nlanded its ratification Time has only
confirmed me in this view. firmly be-
lieve that the moment it is known thai
the United States have entirely abandon
ed the project of accepting as a part o
its territory the Island of San Domingo
a free port will be negotiated for by Eu
ropean nations. ,t
In the Bay of Samana' large com
mercial city will spring mp to which w
will be tributary without receiving cor
responding benefits. J.
BEAUTIES OF THE SITUATION.
3 The Government Of San Domingo
has voluntarily sought this annexation
1t is weak power, numbering probably
less than one hundred and twenty thou
sand souls, and yet, possessing one Of
the richest localities under the slln, ca
lpable OF supporting population OF ter
millions of people in luxury. The peo
pie of San Domingo are not capable q
maintaining themselves in their present
condition and must look for outside sup
port. They yesrn for the protection o.
our. free institutions and laws, our prog
ress and civilization. Shall We. refuse
them? The acquisition of Sah Domin;
go is desirable because of its geograph,
ical position. 1t commands the entrance
to the Caribbean sea and the isthmus
transit Of commerce. 1t possesses the
richest soil, best and most capacious
Iharbors, most salubrious climate, and
the most valuable products of the forest
mine and soil Of any Of the West Indis
islands.
WONDERFUL RESULTS TO FOLLOW.
Its possession by the United States
will, in a few years, build up coastwis'
tCOuluSTCc; VI lllmcISc iHdS SHiIuuC, NHNi
will go far towards restoring to the Uni
ted States our merchant marine. 1t vii
give to us those articles which we con
sumo greatly and do not produce, thu
equalizing our exports and imports. II
case of u foreign war it will give u
command Of all the islands referred to
and thus prevent an enemy from agair
possessing himself of rendezvous up
+ on our coast. At present our coas
trade between the States bordering OF
the Atlantic and those bordering on tht
Cult of Mexico, is by the Bahamas ant
| the Antilles. Twice we must, as it we're
pass through foreign countries to ge
from Georgia to the east coast OF Flor
ida.
San Domingo, with a stable govern
ment under which her immense resour
ces can be developed, will give remuner
ative wages to ten thousand laborers no
now upon the Island. This labor vii
take advantage of every available means
of transportation to abandon the ada
cent islands and seek the blessings ~
freedom and its sequence, each inhaaBfi af