New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-05-11
THURSDAY, MAY II, 1871.
SantO DOmingO-N0. q.

further the annexation OF Santo Domingo IN It's
supposed bearings upon the future of Hayti,
and in respect of the views and feelings oil the
people of the latter country concerning that
measure. On the last named branch oil the
subject my information is limited to the city
OF Port-au- Prince. Here, it is due to truth TO
say, that the people regard annexation as
calamity, and speak of its possible consumma-
ton with q shudder. Whether the people oil
the interior of the country entertain the same
views and feelings / have no means OF know
ing from personal intercourse with them.
President SAGEr and his government, for some
reason which l do not entirely comprehend,
refused the Commission the privilege oil
travelling through his country. mention the
fact with no malicious purpose, but as explain
ing why l cannot speak positively OF the senii-
nents of the people of the interior, and as sig
pifcant of the liberty and civilization which
prevail in Hayti. Standing alone, this pro-
bibition of peaceable strangers from travelling
through his country looks barbarous. 1t I'M
plies a very bad state of affairs, indeed. In
no civilized country this side of the Celestial
Umpire can such an example OF inhospitallty
be found Ii he refused because We were
Americans, the act was unwise and insulting,
md put his country flagrantly in the wrong
If he refused because in the excited condition
of the country be was afraid that some harm
would befall u.s. his refusal was a confession
OF weakness which no government should
make. If it was because he feared that we
good name of his country, his policy was most
unfortunate, for We could have discovered moth
ing calculated to make more unfavorable i'm
preston than this prohibition. 1t reminded
me of South Carolina in the worst days of our
slavery, when no man from the North was per-
mitted to travel through her borders lest her
poor bondmen should catch ray of light and
become disconnected with their bondage.
For the frst time n my life | found, in
Port-au-P Prince, my fidelity to the interests of
the colored race suspected. | was told over
and over again that if had come there in other
company my reception would have been far
different The most charitable citizens, such
Q my friends DUrRE and Mr.. JOHN BELL
HkBRuN, both gentlemen Of wealth and intelli-
gence, and both adopted citizens of Hayti
from the United States, showed me some at
tentions, probably on the ground that they
thought me all right in my motives, though all
wrong in my measures. To Mr.. IIEBRUN and
his amisble family am under many obligations.
Speaking English fuently, formerly citizen of
Alexandria, Va was indebted to him for much
valuable information. He has been a citizen
of Hayti more than thirty-fve years, is still
hale, and believe to day enjoys the respect
and Confidence OF his countrynen as an up
light man and valued citizen. ! say thus
much of him here, because his name and his
tory are still fresh in the memory Of his old
friends and neighbors in this vicinity, and by
some Of the readers Of these papers, and be-
cause il is pleasant to speak of true man
wherever found. While, however, was thor
eughly understood by these gentlemen and a
few others, am quite convinced that by most
Of the leading citizens of Port-au-Prinee was
looked upon as an enemy-for the people OF
that city cannot at present see anything in the
annexation of Santo Domingo but unfriendi-
ness to Hayti. They see in that measure the
extinction of their nationality, the end Of the
Haytian republic, and, perhaps, even the fur
Their degradation of the colored race. They do
not apparently realize the fact that any change
has taken place in the United States, that lib
erty and equality are now the dominant inter-
ests of the American Republic. They will
seize upon the fact that was rudely refused a
seat at the table by a brutal skipper, on the
Georgianna, as evidence that the old slave
holding republic still lives, and that the ne,c
one is only lying sham, gotten up to cheat
Santo Domingo ont of her liberty.
Truth is patient, and can wait. The people
Of Hayti will yet learn that we have entered
upon a new career, and that her interests are
more completely identified with ours than with
those Of any other country. Much of her suE |
(ering has been the result of her European |
relations. Her heaviest conflicts have arisen |
but of the repeated attempts of constitutionally |
slected rulers to set at naught constitu lions
Ind laws, usurp authority, and initiate the airs /
% give up the idea of human liberty, and she
has been too much under the influence of Euro.
bean education to accept and practically carry
,ut the principles OF freedom as taught in the
Declaration of American Independence.
1t is objected to the annexation of Sauio
Domingo that it would in some way injure
iayti. For my part | see not why or how it
'ould do any such thpg Annexation would
i've her a powerful neighbor, TO be sure, but
! would also give her an intelligent, just, and
ighly civilized one. 1t would give her the
eneft of successful example of republican
overnment at her very doors, and one which
be might copy with vast advantage. The
esce, the good order, the liberty, and pros
Gritty which may properly be Predicated of
ne annexation Of Santo Domingo would not
9 confined to the latter country. They would
ION penetrate the valleys and vault over the
ountains Of llayti, and dispel the darkness
id ignorance now locked up within her ocean
oundaries. Modern and improved implements
! husbandry, for which the people Of the
nitsd States are famous, and their scientific
odes OF cultivating the soil, would gradually
id their way into Hayt and speedily help to
me the wild luxuriance of that country, add
its wealth, increase it's salubrity, and make
every way q more desirable country as the
,me OF civilized man. 1t would be impos.
BILE to keep Hsyti in ignorance and in super
itisn il the lightof our liberty and intelligence
ERE permitted to shine upon Santo Domingo.