Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-04-13
SAN DOMINGO.
The Report or che Commisslonerssu Sub.
mlttcd - Congress -Message Of
the President Accompany.
Ing tho Document. s
WASHINGTON, April S.


WASHINGTON, April 5.
The following is the Presidents message trans.
hitting the report of the San Domingo Commits
sioners to the Senate and House Of Representa-
tves.
To TIE Senate and House Of Representatives.:
have the honor to submit herewith TO the Two
houses OF Congress the report OF the C0mmls-
sioners appointed in pursuance of the joint reeo-
luton approved Jan. IL, 1871 It will be observed
that this report more than sustains ell that have
and healthfulness OF the Republic Of San Domin-
60 the unanimity Of the people for annexation to
Il is due to the public as It certainly is to my
SELF that should here give all the circumstances
which first led to the negotiations of the treaty
Sns os 70 ns unsd
arduous and responsible position now hold,
did not dream Of instisusanE any steps for the &C
ever, that our institutions were brosd enou gh -
extend over the entire continent as rapidly q
Under our protection believed. further that We
should not permit any independent government
within the limits Of North America to pass from q
protection under an European power. Soon after
nv Inauguration as President, was waited upon
by an agent Of President Baez with a proposition
10 annex the Republic Of San Domingo to the
United States This gentleman represented the
eanscity OF the island, the desire Of the people,
and their character and habits about as they have
been described by the Commissioners, whose re-
port accompanies this message He stated further,
tSat being weak in numbers and poor in purse,
resources; that the people had no incentive 70 in
d1stry on account of the lack of protection for
their accumulations. and that, II not accepted by
above those Of any other nation, they would be
compelled to seek protection elsewhere. To these
statements I made no reply, and gave no indica-
course of time was waited on by second gentle
nan from San Domingo, who made the same
representations, and was received In like manner.
In view of the facts which had been laid before
me, and with an earnest desire to maintain the
Mnoroe doctrine, believed that would be der
elicit in my duty II did not take measures TO
inhabitants of the Republic Of San Domingo in
regard to annexation, and to commune ate the in
formation to the people OF the Upited States. IN
deaf ear to this appeal that might in future be
Justly charged with fragrant neglect of the public
interest and in utter disregard of the welfare Of
down-trodden race praying for the blessing of q
free and strong government, and for protection in
the enjoyment Of the fruits of their own industry
fore professed to be pre- emnently the friends Of
the rights of man believed would be my most
violent assailants if neglected so clear duty
soner to visit the island, who declined on account
of sickness, selected q second gentleman, In
snS have visited
San Domingo, not to secure or hasten annexation,
but unprecedented to learn the facts about the gov
eminent, people and resources Of that republic.
He went, certainly, we'll prepared to make an I'M
favorable report as q favorable one, II the facts
warranted it. His report fully corroborated the
views of the previous commissioner, and upon its
report felt that sense Of duty and due regard
for great national interests required me to ne
gotiate treaty for the acquisition of the Republic
of San Domingo. As soon as 1t became publicly
known that such treaty had been negotiated, the
attention Of this country was occupied with ALE
cations calculated to p.sdce tie merits o. the
with it. Amidst the public excitement thus
created, the treaty failed to receive the requisite
two-thirds vote Of the Senate, and was rejected !;
but whether the action OF that body was based
wholly upon the merits of the treaty. or might not
have been in some degree Influenced by such un-
founded allegations, could not be known by the
people because the debates Of the Senate in secret
session are not published
Under these circumstances, I deemed 1t due to
the Office which hold, and due to the character
OF the agents who had been charged with the in
vestigation, that such proceedings should be had
az would enable people to know the truth. A
Commission was therefore constituted, under the
authority of Congress, consisting of gentlemen Sc
lected in special reference 70 their high character
and capacity for the laborions work entrusted to
them, VINO were instructed to visit the spot and
report upon the facts. Other eminent citizens
were requested to accompany the Commission, in
order that the people might have the benefit of
their views. Students Of science and correspond
ents of the press, without regard to political opn-
ions, invited to join the expedition, and their
numbers were only limited BY the capacity OF the
vessel r az go -.
The mere rejection by the Senate Of treaty ne
gOtiated by the President. only indicates differ
ence Of opinion in the different branches of the
government, without touching the character or
woundng the pride of either. But when such
rejection takes place simultaneously with charges
openly made Of corruption on the part Of the Pres
ident, those employed by him, the case IL differ
ent. Indeed, in such case the honor OF the nation
demands an investigation. This has been accom- IN,
transmitted, which fully yindcates the purity Of
the motives aud actions Of those who represented
the United States In the negotiation.
And now my task is finished, and with 1t ends
all my personal solicitude upon the subject. My
duty being done, yours begins; and gladly hand
the American people and their representa-
siyss in Congress assembled. The facts
x BE- os 'Ss The SSoss
convictions 80 seldom err, and against whose will
have no policy to enforce. Ny opinion is
that the interests OF our country and San Do
mingo alike invite the annexation OF the repub-
Lie. In view OF the difference Of opinion upon
ing the present session beyond the printing and
general dissemination Of the report. Before the
next session OF Congress the people will have
considered the subject, and formed an intelligent
opinion concerning 1t, TO which opinion, deliber-
ately made up it will be the duty Of every depart
ment Of the government TO give heed, and no one
will more cheerfully conform than myself. 1t Is
not only the theory Of our constitution that the
will of the people consttutionally expressed is
the supreme law, out nave ever Deneved tnat 81!
men collectively are wiser than any one man; and
il the people, upon full representation of the
facts, snail decide that annexation IL not desirable,
every department of the government ought to &C
quiesce in that decisiOn. 81
In again submitting to Congress the subject upon
which the public sentiment has been divided and
which has been made the occasion OF acrimonious
debates In Congress, a. well q unjust aspersions
elsewhere, may, trust, be INDUCED In single
remark: No man can hope to perform duties 80
delicate and responsible pertain to the Presiden
tial Office without sometimes mourning the hosul-
ity Of those who deem their opinions and wishes
treated with insufficient consideration, and he who
undertakes to conduct the affairs of q great gov.
ernment - faithful public servant, II sustained
by the approval OF his own conscience, may rely
with confidence upon the candor and Intelligence
OF free people whose best interests he has strven
to subserve, and can bear with patience the censure
OF disappointed men. * 7 y. 8. GIANT.
ExBcUrIvE MANSION, April s, 1871.
THE REPOAT