New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-18
ouTRREAx AB0Ur SAN DOMINGO.

It is not often that we find it compati-
| bic with sound and rational policy to
agree with the Bulletin. but such occasions
| do occur at long intervals and it graft
fies us to say that, in its issue of Tues
| day, our contemporary, contrary to its
| usual retrousse, advanced outside of its
palisades of prejudice and let itself loose
| in good. healthy endorsement of the
policy Of securing San Domingo to the
United States. This was the more unez-
pccted, because the Democratic party has
chosen to oppose this measure. i'll COM
pany with certain dissenting Republicans:
and since the Bu1eti, is Democratic Or
gan, the conclusion was justifable that 1t
would follow the party. But 1t
! dispels this conclusion, first. by
advocating what the party ~depre-
Gates: and. secondly. by administer
ing rebuke to the PARTY itself for oppos-
ing a measure of vast Importance through
the unworthy and unpatriotic desire to
thwart the President and divide the Re-
publican organization. The Bulletin,
therefore, is entitled to Our commentator
for being on the right sight Of one ques-
ton. at least: and for being there, as
every Independent paper should be, on
the merits Of the case withou. any refer
ence to the surroundings of the policy.
The acquisition Of San Domingo is a
measure that President Grant has favored
with more than usual anxiety. and this
personal action of the President has given
the question some measure Of strength
and some measure Of weakness. As the
Bulletin declares. the united vote of the
Democrats u the United States Senate
was given against it because the President
was in its favor. The hope of dividing
the Republican party was at the bottom
of this action. moving the best men in
the opposition to disregard the interests
of the nation in their efforts to weaken
their political enemies. This is the charge
Of the Bulletin. and although the asser-
ton almost proves itself, still it is an I'M
Usual thing to see Democratic paper
come up to the issue in such shape
The dash Of the Bulletin, in this in
stance. however. may 1bs traced to desper-
alton rather than to that true and steady
courage which springs from convictions
Of duty. It saw that this San Domingo
acquisition WAS measure that the Demo-
Gratis could not safely venture to oppose.
even for strategic advantages. The South
is too deeply interested in this question.
and this interest will make itself felt
hereafter. 1t is probably not popular at
this instant to sugges. that San Domingo
! should belong to u. but when We come
to reflect on the advantages to be gained
by holding i'll our hands the key of the
Carrabean sea. the Southern people viii
rally to lay hold upon the measure that
proposes to accomplish sUcha result Our
most famous statesmen have endorsed
it. and thirty years ago John C..
Calhoun proposed 70 anchor the mouth
of the Mississippi river temporarily in the
! harbor Of Santo Domingo. OF all the
cities in the United States. our own
metropolis is the most interested in this
, measure OF national expansion. and if the
Democrats can dismiss their prejudices
for moment. we shall have their. entire
rank and file rallyinS to the SUPPORT of
the President in his West India policy.
Years upon years we haze looked and
labored to secure Cuba. which was only
another way to acquire San Domingo:
and now. when the President offers US
Cuba by first acquiring tie lesser island,
We reject the measure at the instance o!
Mr.. Sumner. who represents the interests
Of Massachusetts,.
The Bulletin has taken proper view of
the matter from every standpoint, and is
equally to be encouraged in lecturing its
own friends as in instructing the public
generally.