The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-06


TO rebel leaders, though these would without doubt
favor annexation If It were consummated under
the direction @ Oh am thGse whom they support
rious parts of the country, oppose annexation for
reasons peculiar to themselves some from misun-
derstandng of the matter, some few from a liking
for the turmoil which the present condition OF
things permits and some from opposition TO the pre-
Tho reports and rumors that there are parties in
various sections of the country ready to resort
desperate measures against annexation seem to be
dsproved by the following simple facts in the his-
tory Of the Commission:
First. On arriving at Santo Domingo the Com
mifsiOners took up their residence in house on a
public street, remote from any official residence or
military post.
They had at no time anything in the nature of
guard or watch, and at an early period during
their stay the night watchmen of that quarter was
removed at their request. They had no weapons
of any sort. Persons of every condition passed in
and out of the house freely until late hour of the
night. Access was made easy to everyone. The
Commissioners and those accompanying them
slept with doors slightly secured, and sometimes
1t would have been entirely within the power of
single man of energy and determination to have
cut off the entire party. But no shadow of at
tempt upon them ever detected. No suspected
person ever found.
Secondly. The Commissioner and their agents
Iaversed,the country in every direction, without
guards or weapons. They slept at night in open
cabins no watch of any sort being kept The
chafac of the country and conditions of the
roads obliged them to move slowly and separately
through mountain passes, ravnes forests, and
thickets, in which handful Of resolute opponents
could easily have destroyed them. Especially was
this true in the Cibao, the district generally re-
feIred to in unfavorable reports, every important
route of which they explored. When as in two or
three cases, members of the Commission had for
short distances an escort of honor It was m ade up
of citizens, in citizen garb, unarmed so far as
could be seen, and with military guard what
ever. Neither commander or attaches 60 far as
krown, ever carried sword, dagger or pistol. Their
movements were easily foreknown, but they never
encountered any shadow of hostile demonstra-
ton; TothiDg but kindness met them in all quar-
teTs end among all classes and this was not less
marked in the Cibao than elsewhere.
The desire for annexation seemed to be even
more general among the rural population than in
the cities. The evidence taken, as well as the OBJ
EeTyations of the Commissioners and all who
ccmpanied or aided them, establish this fact be-
yoLd question. 1t was deemed unnecessary to ac-
Cuib ulato tno " NlInoese5, WINCH
was everywhere uniform. The Commission did not
have to search after evidence of the disposition of
the people. Individual citizens, bodies of men,
delegations from Masonic industrial and mutual
aid societies. representatives of ecclesiastical asso-
cstons people Of all kinds came to them in such
numbers and with such frequency that their visits
became almost burC en-. all declaring their desire
for annexation
Soon after the treaty of annexation was negoti-
ated a popular vote was taken in the manner
usual in that Republic, as required by treaty,
which resulted in an almost unanimous expression
in favor of annexation to the United States. What
ever may be individual preferences opinions as
to the best form for taking the vote of entire
of the evidence before the Commission goes
TO show that this was truthful expression OF the
will Of the people, and in all the petitions either
Of members of their own body their agents. ample
confederation OF this opinion met them at every
mental and moral condition of the inhabitants of
Santo Domingo was found to be much more ad-
vanced than bad been anticipated.
The population is generally of mixed blood. The
great majority, especially along the coast are neil
ther pure black or pure white; they are mxea @ IN
every conceivable degree In some parts OF the IN
terror considerable numbers of The white
to be found, and generally in the mixed race the
white blood predominates. The Dominican people
differ widely in this prTtcular from the Haytens
among whom the black race is in complete ascen-
dency: The cultivated and educated, such as the
President members of his cabinet, senators, judges
and local magistra es, compare we'll with the same
clGsscs in other countries and the uneducated APP
pear equal 10 the same class in any country with
which We are acquainted. They seem to be practi-
caly destitute OF prejudice of class, race color
In their intercourse with each other and with
strangers they are courteous in manner respectful
Commissioners found them kind and hospitable
The testimony shows them TO be an honest and
inoffensive people, among whom in the rural
districts person may travel alone and unarmed
all over the country with treasure, without danger
AL of the numerous parties attached to the Com
mission, which tTaversed various parts of the
try, believed the Same testimony concerning the
people. The judicial officers stated that high
cIimes, such as murder, arson, burglary and the
| like are nearly unknown among them. No pauper
claGs exists and beggary is almost unknown. They
are temperate people, and drunken men are rarely
seen. Among popular vices is that of petty gam
bling, which is INDUCED in openly and extensively
| They are all Roman Catholics except the Anne
rican emigTants sent out in 1924 and succeeding
| years, who, with their descendants, now form a
number of SETTLE mens, and amount to several
| thousand persons. These are mostly Methodists
and Baptists. They live among the Catholics IN
| peace and harmony. No intolerance or religious
persecution can be discovered among them. The
| people are generally poor, living in cheap and
| humble dwellings, which, though well adapted to
| their country, might appear rude and uncomfort-
able to these accustomed to houses made for more
rigorous climate. In the country almost every
family possesses all the land they desire to cultivate
| which Is generally one small field, for or
two well titled is sufficient in this fertile land
furnish family with their food. The reason they
unanimously assign for not cultivating more is that
amid constantly recurring revolutions it is very
| is no market here for surplus produce.
The Commissioners had an opportunity to see the
! progress which the people of color have made in
| jamaica. In that island there is abundant evi-
| dence that, in spite of msmanagement, the social
oppression which has lasted long after the abolition
of slavery, this people are improving, and becom-
ing sharers in higher civilization. The evidence
| taken shows that the Dominican people are not
aveTse to work, when certain of reasonable re-
ward, but good and faithful laborers An
abundance Of labor can now be had about ten dol
| lars per month. Appearances make it probable
that the elements necessary to physical persistency
exist among the people, especially in that large
proportion in whom Spanish blood predomnates.
The decline of these people in number and enter
prise is sufficiently accounted for by social and po
ltical causes, without the gratuitOus assumption
that the race is dying out or efiete
| These are few schools in the Republic, and con-
sequently the great majority of the people are
| educated. But of all the great numbers who were
| examined by the Commissioners and their agents on
this point, not failed to express the desire that
| some system of general education should be crea-
| ted and the belief that IL would be eagerly EN-
by the people, with little or no support from the
| government. School books, prepared in the United
basis Of original talent is not lacking. The shrewd-
| ness of the Dominicans is proVerbial among those
who are brought into close relations with them In
| the schools, few and feeble as they are NAV be
found abundant evidence TO corrobofate Tie asssr
tions of the teachers that the average of native
ability is good.