Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-29
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 80. 1871,


That Secretary Robson feels disturbed by the
letter of Captain Temple, addressed to Mr.
Wade, at Aqua, Dominica, is not surprising;
but it is surprising that he has allowed himself
TO write and publish on the subject what ap-
peared among our dispatches, yesterday morn
ing He attempts TO discredit the letter; then
he denies that naval commanders have received
such orders as it names; and, finally, under
takes to defend the orders issued to naval COM
mauders, and claims that it was right to issue
them. They are right, he asserts, because it
was the duty Of the executive to defend Domlnl-
ca. while q treaty was pending between baez
and Our government But, if this inadmissible
position could be admitted, it would not afford
reason for keeping those remarkable orders IN
force, during the whole time since that treaty
was rejected by the senate. The secretary OF
the navy carefully evades che question raised
against him, and shrinks from attempting to eX-
plain why the orders to aid Baez against Cabral
and the Haytiens, were still in force when Capt.
Temples lctterwaS written.
Mr., Robson puts forward another remarkable
statement. He says that the executive, in order
ing the navy to menace Cabral and the Hayti-
CHS tuu dsnlSk DIVA 10 NCfalltASs NAhu bhS
larry constituted government of the Dominican
republic" Now, the fact is, Baez is
usurper, who ought to be hung for treason. He
overthrow the regularly constituted govern
ment" Of Dominica, suppressed political and
judicial proceedings established by the constitu-
ton, put to death or drove out of the country
every man of influence who would not support
him. and has ruled by means of his army. He
would have been driven out of the army long
ago if our navy had not upheld him. The last
''regularly constituted government" of Domi-
MICA is that which was organized after Cabral
had been elected president by vote of the peo-
pie. Against this government Baez, an arch
intriguer, conspired successfully; Cabral and
his friends are fighting to restore it; Baez, aided
by our navy, maintains the usurpatiOn. This
Baez was not elected president of Dominica.
There has been no election since he overthrow
the regularly constituted government" and
began his military despotism.
We should like to hear Mr.. Robson say what
Capt Temple should have done. He warned
Mr. Wade that it would be dangerous for gen.
tlemen connected with the expedition to under
take a journey to Hayti through the region &C.
cupied by Cabral; and he explained why it
would be dangerous. Cabral would naturally
regard them as enemies and spies. Baez said
the journey would be dangerous, and gave
notice that he could not protect them beyond
his own lines. Will Mr. Robson maintain that
Capt. Temple should not have given warning of
the danger? As an honorable man, how was it
possible for him to omit pointing out the danger
and explaining its character? He did not
hesitate to do what was required under the cir
cumstances; and if Mr.. Robson finds in his
letter to Mr. Wade an unpleasant, revelation,
this is not the fault of Capt. Temple. His duty
required him to state the case frankly, and il
therewas something in it to invite criticism, twas
due to those who made up the case in that form
Perhaps Mr.. Robson thinks he should have
allowed the gentlemen to lose liberty and per
haps life. 1t is satisfaction TO know tina
Capt. Temple himself thought otherwise.