Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-04-18
NUMBER 13.

the Government, without tOucnlng the
character or wounding The pride of either;
but when such rejection takes place
simultaneously with charges openly made
OF corruption, on the part of the Pres-
dent. and those employed by him. lhe
ease is different. Indeed, in such case,
The honor of the nation demands invest
CATION.
THIS has been accomplished by the re.
port OF the Commissioners herewith
transmitted, and which fully indicates the
purity Of the motives and actions Of those
who represented the United States, in the
negotiations; aud now my task !. finish
ed, and with it ends all personal solci.
tude on the subject Ny duty being done,
yours begins. and gladly hand over the
whole matter TO the judgment of the
American people, and their representa-.
tiyes in Congress assembled. The facts
will now be spread before the country.
and decision rendered by that tribunal
whose convictions seldom err, and
against whose will have no policy to en-.
force. My opinion remains unchanged;
indeed, it IS confirmed, by the report, that
the interests OF our country, and San Do.
mingo, alike e,iuvle the annexation of that
Republic. In view of the difference OF
opinion upon this subject, no action will
be taken Al the present session, beyond
printing, and general disseminating OF
the report
Before the the next session OF Congress
the people will have considered lhc sub
iect, and formed an intelligent opinion
concerning it, to which opinion, deibcr-
atcly made up, il will be the duty Of cy-
cry department of the government to
give need and no one will more cheer.
fully conform 10 it thnn myself 1t is not
only the theory Of the constitution that
,he will Of the people conslituiionalIy cx
pressed, is the supreme law, but | have
ever believed that al men were wiser
than any one man and il the people up
on full presentation Of the Facts, shall
decide that the annexation Of the Rcpub-
lie is moi desirable. every department OF
the government ought to acqucscc in
that decision. In again submitting to
Congress u subject upon which public
sentiment has been divided, and which
has been made The occasion OF acrimoui
ous debate in Congress, as wei rs unjust
assertions elsewhere, may, trust, be
indnlged in Il single remark h.-no man can
hope to perform the duties 50 delicate
and responsible as thogc pertaining to the
Presidential Office, without sometimes in.
curing the hostility Of those who deem
their opinion and wishes treated
with insufficient consideration, and h,
who undertake. 10 conduct The affairs of
~ great government as a Faithful servant.
il sustained by the approval of hi, own
conscience, mnly rely on the candor and
intelligence Of t ticc people whose b,>i
interests hc has riyen to suf~rr,c. and
who can bear with patience the ccnsmc.
of disappointed men.
(Signed,) | s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, April 9Th, 1871
The Commissioners preface their rc.
port by the recital Of the resolution of
Congress under which they were appoint.
ed, and ancra brief narrative of c.cu,,
OF The expedition, give a concise State
mcnt OF tie political state aud condition
and torn OF government Of San Domu
90. The government is in theory Con
slitutiona Republic, the President being
elected Tor tx years by The provinces, and
the Judiciary OF the Supreme Court ac
chosen Tor five years by = Senate ilom
nominations by electoral colleges Each
parish has also is alcadc. corresponding
to justice OF the peace, holding Office ,ir.
tualiy during good behavior, and not one
was found whose character did not inspire
respect Baez appears also legally and
constituiionaIIy entitled TO the office which
he now holds The existing instructions,
headed by Cabral and Luperon, are tn
eNponent5 Of no clearly defined polly,
and have no hold on public opinion, be-
yond the territory which they may en-
porariy occupy. Cabral, 'houeh once a
popular leader is incompetent, lacking.
administrative ability, and claims 10 au-
thority beyond that OF leade, Of the reyo-
luton. Luperon is simply bandit, stain.
ed with crime, his main exploits being
robberes and piIacies. Cabral has only
II few hundred men, operating in the de
populated districts ot San Juan and Nel
ba, and sustained by hoops and war ma.
telial from Ilayti.
The Commissioners believe that had
both these leaders only welded their own
forces and resources they would long ago
have been put down Besides iaytien
aggressions other causes aggregate Tie
difficulties OF the Dominican republic.
Among these are provincial jealousy he.
tween the north and south sides OF the
island, a number OF military chiefs head
ing small clans in the various districts,
and the convenience of The neighboring
islands offered for rev eyoluli0nists and in
surrectionary operations. All OF these
difficulties, the Commissioners believe,
would disappear should the Dominican
republic be eiIectually protected by con
nec.ion with IA strong nation.
Local self government in the island has
been greatly obstructcd by internal dii