Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-12
FOrty-First Congressional Session,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. II
SENATE

in a speech in favor of his bill for the improve
ment of the Mississippi leveeS, after which the
San Domingo resolutions were takeh up, and
Mr.. Stewart of Nevada made a speech advocat
ing them.
Mr.. SchuIz argued that there were climatic
reasons why republican institutions could not
flourish in the tropics, and appealed TO history
to show single instance where any people or
race IN the tropics had succeeded in establishing
stable government
Mr.. Morton interrupted Mr. Schurz, and asked
II he was not aware that he was restatng the
old argument advanced in support Of slavery in
the south.
Mr.. Schurz said he was not, but was aware
that he was giving facts, which could not be
answered.
Mr., Schurz, in replying to a remark by Mr.
Morton, that there was good reason to believe
that Germany desired to acquire this island, or
some other rich possession in the West Indies,
spoke OF the immense commercial benefit de-
rived by Germany from her system of CONNER
clal colonies, which did not devolve upon heri
particle of responsibility in political sense.
he denied that Germany, in particular, had any
disposition TO acquire Dominica. Mr.. Schun
concluded with reference to the idea, suggest
ed by MIR. Sumner, that the tropics should be-
long to the cOlOrcd race. If that race should
concentrate there, and those West India islands
should form confederacy of their own, he
would be the last man in the senate to stand in
the way Of an offer Of the friendly offices of
this government in aid of such a consumma-
ton.
Mr.. Yates said if he had time, he would dem
OnStrate that the speech of the senator from
Missouri was in opposition to the glorious his
tory of our free institutions, was at war with
progress, civilization and freedom. He under
took further to say that the senator had not
made any argument against the annexation of
Dominica which had not heretofore been made
against the extension of human liberty to the
slaves of the south. In answer to Senator Sum
ner, who said if we annex Dominica we will
nave civil war on our hands, Mr.. Yates re-
marked, il that should be So we will end it, and
five have suit with Hayti, we will 90 to law
and end the case.
Mr.. Wilson said he wished simply to state
that he regretted very much that this question
comes before them at all; but, as it was here, it
was to be met. There were strong opinions on
both sides of the question, and statements and
allegations affecting it. The proposition was
simply to make an inquiry. He presumed that
such an inquiry would be searching, thorough,
and complete, and that, in proper time, we
should have all the facts. He should vote for
the amendment, as it came from the house, for
the simple reason that he did not understand
that vote on the adoption of the resolution
showed how they would vote on the question
of annexation itself He should vote for any
amendment germane to the question, which
looks to obtaining information, whether moved
by TREND or opponent. He had, with deep SOr-
sow, listened to the senator from Missouri. He
thought the senator's remarks only repetition
OF an argument used in this hall by the support
ers of human slavery in America. He did not
believe one word Of such philosophy. If the
people on that island were not capable Of free
dom, the Almighty ought to have called philOs-
opherS into his council, before he made the
torrid region.
In his, Wilson's, opinion, every race was ca
pabe OF civilization, Christianization and edu-
whether n no Or
zones, or in the tropics.
MIR. Morton said that an amendment would
simply have the effect of producing delay, with
the hope of the enemies of the resolution of
thereby creating embarrassment
During Mr.. MortOns remarks, four o'clock,
the hour agreed on yesterday for taking vote,
arrived, and Mr.. Sumner, stating that several
senators still wished to speak on the question
suggested that the vote be postponed till four
O'Clock tomorrow, but Mr.. Conkling and others
objected.
The senate then rejected both of Mr.. Sauls-
burys amendments, that Benjamin F. Curtis,
Willard Fillmore and Gen. W. T. Sherman be
commissioners, and that the commissioners shall
proceed 10 Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua,
Mexico and the Sandwich Islands, and make n-
quiries and notify the president, who shall sub
init report to congress.
Mr. Summers amendment directing the COM
mission to inquire especially into the alleged
civil war between Dominica and Hayt and all
existing relations between the governments of
the two countries, was rejected-20 to 36--aS
follows:
- YEAs--Messrs. Bayard, Buckingham, Casserly,
Davis, Fowler, Harris Johnston, McCreery, Morrill,
of Vermont Patterson, Ross, Salisbury Schurz,
Scott, Stockton Sumner, Triton, Trumbull, Vickers
and Wison-20.
NAYs-Messrs. Abbott Ames, Anthony Brown
low, Cameron, Carpenter, Chandler Cole, Conk-
ling, COrbett, Cragin, Edmunds, Fenton, Flanagan,
Hamilton II Of Texas, Hamlin, Harlan, Howell,
IA Lewis Morton va pOmornv pn Pratt
Ramsay, Revels, Rice, Sawyer, Sherman, Spencer
Stewart, Warner, Wiley, Williams and Yates-36
Mr. Sumner offered the following amenment:
Provided further, if there be any naval force
stationed in the Dominican territory, such naval
force shall be withdrawn, and if any power be
exercised over the Dominican territory in esst
ing domestic or forei. II enemies such aid shall
be discontinued and the commissioners shall not
commence their investigation till the naval force
is withdrawn and such aid discontinued" Re-
jected-16 to 40.
number of amendments were then offered
by Mr.. Sumner and rejected, the first two with
out division. The first set forth that, as il
was not expedient during the tendency of the
proposed inquiry, to augment our naval forces
in Dominican waters, andas the commission
was pacific in character with no purpose of VIC
lence, therefore the commissioners shall not be
conveyed in a war vessel. The second provided
for an inquiry whether there is any, and if so
what, government in Dominica authorized to
treat with the United States for its annexation.
The third directed inquiry whether the conSttu-
ton of Dominica forbids her government TO cede
her territory or any part TO any foreign poN er.
On this Mr.. Sumner demanded the yeas and
nays. The amendment was voted down-17 to
81.
Mr.. Salisbury moved to require the commits
soners to be sworn or affirmed to make an hon
est and true report. Lost-10 to 40.
Mr.. Sumner moved to direct the commission
ers to inquire respecting Imprisonment or exile
of any persons by the Dominican government
because of hostility to annexation. Not agreed
to.
Mr.. Sumner also moved to provide for an in
quiry as to any negotiation or proposal for the
acquisition of Dominica by any foreign govern
ment. Not agreed to.
Mr.. Sumner then sent to the chair another
amendment, when Mr.. Morton inquired whether
II was in order TO urge additional amendments
after the sense OF the senate had been repeatedly
expressed against any notifications.
Mr.. Sumner-"Does the senator wish an an
swer from meW
Mr.. Morton-"My inquiry was directed to the
chair"
Mr.. Sumner-"With the permission of the
chair, will answer it. am doing my duty, as
a senator, to give the senate an opportunity to
improve this resolution, and, further, wish it
to go before the country that senators had an
opportunity of making these amendments, and
have voted them down"
Mr.. Summers amendment was then read, in
quiring whether any villages, towns or sections
of the island are now occupied by people of one
government, claimed by another government.
Not agreed to.
The house amendment providing that the ap-
pointment of the commission shall not commit
congress for or against annexation was then
concurred in unanimOusly-ayes 81, nays none;
and the resolution accordingly goes to the presi-
dent.
ADJOURNED,
HOUSE.
Mr.. Kelsey of New York, from the committee
on appropriations, reported the diplomatic and
consular appropriation bill, which was made
the special order for Friday next. The bill ap-
proprates 81 ,43S,347.
Mr.. Wilson of Ohio, from~the committee on
agriculture, reported bill to procure and dis
seminate information as to the extent of the
cereal crops in other countries, requiring such
Information to be furnished by the United
States consuls. Mr.. Wilson also reported bill
to prevent cruelty to animals while in transit by
railroad or other means, forbidding cattle to be
confined in railroad cars longer than twenty
eight consecutive hours, without unloading To