The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-01-20
Annexation Of San Domingo.


Why should Democrats oppose the
annexation of San Domingo? Annexa
ton has been the policy of the Demo
cratic party throughout its history
President JEFFERSON, the founder O.
eparty, commenced 1t by the annexa.
tion of the splendid domain of Louisi-
ana, embracing then the entire valley
of the Mississippi, which now forms a
most Important part of the Union. His
policy was endorsed by the whole line
of his Democratic SUCCESSORS, including
the most distinguished, Gen. JACKSON,
and winding up by the brilliant success.
ses of President Polk in the annexa-
tion of Texas, California and other ter
ritory. Several of the Democratic
Presidents also made strong efforts to
obtain Cuba, for the very reasons that
now demand the annexation of San
Domingo. Why does not the party
now, therefore, pursue its traditional
policy? There is only one truthful an.
swer, viz: because pigmies have sue.
ceeded to the places of great men,
and they mislead the pubic-mere bats,
who oppose because the proposition
comes from President GRANT! Men
or parties governed by such considera-
tions, when great measure is at stake,
ought to hang their heads in shame
When ruled by whites, San Domingo
was mine of wealth, and would be
again If ruled by the same race. Its
annual productions of coffee and sugar
have been and can again be made i'm.
mense, and will lin case of annexation)
greatly cheaper those articles to the
American people. AS a naval station
in time of war with a European nation,
1t is of the highest importance, and its
possession would be an element of
strength that would go far toward pre-
venting such wars. The reasoning of
the President, in his annual Message,
on these points, has not been met, nor
can 1t be successfully.
We wholly disregard the twadde
about Job" speculation, &c. That
,loes not enter into the merits of the |
question of annexation. If there is |
any truth in such allegations, it be-
comes question of itself, to be disposed |
of on its own merits. If Gen. GRANT
is guilty of those charges, let them be
established and let him suffer for his
bad conduct-be punished for that spe
citically. That somebody may be pecu-
niarily benefited by annexation is no
doubt true, but the same was true OF |
every other annexation, and will be
equally true of any other case that is to |
happen. This puritanical doctrine that |
you should not do an act because il !
would gratifiy or benefit somebody per-
sonally, is simply Satanic, is unworthy
of noble and generous people and can
not exist with such. 1t is sufficient for
us that all the people of the United
States would be benefited by the an
nexation of San Domingo, and while
the price paid is very reasonable one,
it is of no public concern that few or |
many men may make money out of it. |
We rep eat, however, that if officers of
the Government act corruptly or in any
way enter into speculation in connec-
tion with the annexation, they ought
to be punished, disgraced and dis
missed. Believing the annexation to
be consistent with the history of the
Democratic party and the opinions of
all its great Statesmen, and of large ad-
vantage to all the people of the United
States, we insist that it is the duty of
all Democrats to support it. Another
good reason for supporting the project
is that all southern annexation of terri
tory relatively weakens the political
power of the New England States and
ten dis to the destruction of the selfish
deas prevailing there.