New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-04-27


But proceed with the inquiry: Why not let
Santo Domingo alone work out her own des-
tiny? might perhaps answer this question by
asking another Why should Santo Domingo,
when she wishes to do otherwise. be left alone
to work out her own destiny? What has she
done TO debar herself from the privilege of
uniting her destiny with that of other nations
Why may she not aspire to companionship and
partnership? What is the matter with Santo
Domingo? Is her presence an offense and
her touch contagion? Why should people
who have annexed Louisiana, Texas, CalifOr.
nia and Alaska, and who are for annexing
Mexico and Canada in good time, raise this
question of destiny against Santo Domingo?
What reason is there for leaving her to work
out her own destiny, which does not equally
apply TO the peoples and territories already an
aexed to the United States?
What is the matter with Santo Domingo
Why does the Democratic party, which has
done so much to extend the area of American
liberty, now cry out, with one accord, leave
Santo Domingo to work out her own destiny
am not bound to End motive for this strange
conduct on the part Of the opponents of annex
alton but, if put to the torture, should not
suffer long. Mr.. SUMNER and Mr.. GARRISON
oppose annexation in the interest of the colored
race They are sincere; but the vast and
overwhelming opposition to the measure comes
not from the friends Of human equality, but
from its bitterest enemies. 1t comes from the
men who would have given almost countless
thousands of treasure to have Cuba blend her
destiny with the United States. What has
wrought the change in these men and filled
them with 80 much horror Of interfering with
the destinies of other countries Colored men,
the instincts of the enemies of liberty are keen.
They know what they are about you may de
pend upon that. You can tell as we'll as
what is really at the bottom of this pretended
respect for the right of nations to work out
their own destiny.
Throwing aside this destiny question, pro-
coed TO give what l consider good and sufi-
cient reason why am not for leaving Santo
Domingo unassisted to attain and establish a
free and permanent government for herself
She is weak and sparsely populated. Not
more than one hundred and twenty FIVE thou
sand souls compose her population.
There are more people in the city of Wash
ington than are to be found within the fifteen
thousand square miles of Dominica.
Now look at it. A national government is
no trifing machine. 1t has peculiar relations
and duties. SAuL's armor is out of place on
the shoulders of a STRIPPING. A burden easily
borne by forty millions had better not be at
tempted by few thousand. A pigmy may
BE- useful, but he is not giant In human
affairs regard must be had 10 proportions.
Our opponents seem TO disregard this pregnant
fact when they ask Santo Domingo to bear the
immense burden Of isolated nationality.
True at all times. these considerations are
especially true at this time. This is an age of
large and composite nationaities. Organza-
ton, extension, and unifcation are the order
of this period. The English and German
tongues and institutions are rapidly girdling
the globe. No rival houses to day divide the
realm of Old England. Tits no longer England,
Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, but the United
Kingdom. Prussia shouts today over an en-
larged and united Germany. One large Gov.
eminent now dominates Italy. The attempt
to build up a small government to the south Of
Us failed. We are still the large United States,
and are in keeping wik our times
While no absolute numerical standard can
be fixed upon that which justfes people
in assuming the rights and responsibilities
of independent and isolated nationality the
very idea of nation requires the association OF
numbers 10 save it from weakness and con-
tempt. A nation which only has rights and
has no power, had better seek alliance some
where. 1t may play nation, but even this must
at las; cease TO be amusing. Tie State of
Delaware is rather small for State, but you
would need magnifying glass to zee her as a
nation.
In day nationality means more than
tinsei and high sounding titles. Itmeans men
and money. 1t means armies and navies. 1t
means power as well as rights. Calling a
cslf's tail leg does not make it SO. A nation,
which is not loved, must at least be able to
make itself feared. This is not less essential
subjectively than effectively. One of the most
active elements of progress, and l may say Of
human happiness, is sense Of Importance
and power. powerless people must at last
become spiritless people-must return to the
dust. Where ambition, power, and courage
are gone, there is 10 longer any apology for
living.
Apply these thoughts to Santo Domingo,
and it will be seen that she is wise in wishing
- be annexed TO the United States. She is
obviously too limited in the number of her
population to fill out the idea of independent
nationality. She can neither command respect
nor resent insult. Without any fault of her
own, she is debarred the advantage OF separate
nationality. The very age aud body of the
tmes are against her.
All right for town, city, county, or a
State but for nation, in all but territory-an
snachronism, an egg among cannon balls-she
ought not to be asked to hold the place longer
nation which can no longer hope to inspire
its people with hope for the future can be, and
ought to be, spared from the list of nations.
For the present, aud, in all the likelihood of the
case for some time yet to come, Santo Domingo
must answer this description if she is not an
nexed
Ii is no faul, of hers. have no reflections
to make upon her people. The times and cir
cumstances are sometimes too great for nations
~ well as for individuals.