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

now q reoel cnieI Is nldlng In ner mountain
Businesses; and you will easily perceive that it
is hardly reasonable to ask that people why
they do not organize and administer such
government as they need and would get IT
once annexed to the United States. The irst
effect of annexation would be to put AL end TO
the wars of rival chiefs. In the presence of a
powerful Government, ike ours, there would
be no longer the tempting hope OF success 1t
is only when weakness contends with weakness
that there is encouragement for weakness to
fight. The citizens of Santo Domingo well
understand this, and the order loving part Of
them therefore are not only willing, bat earn
est and eager, for annexation. If you had seen
these people as ] have, and heard their story
as have heard il, your hearts would ache, as
mine does, over the recent postponement OF
their hopes.
The second question ia the series with which
started is in some respects akin to the one
just disposed of. 1t alleges that annexation
involves confession of incapacty for self
government of the most humiiating character
on the part of the people of Santo Domingo,
deny that it involves any such results. This
objection is one Of sentiment, not one Of fact;
but it is not even true in sentiment. 1t can
never be humiliating to advance from lower
to a higher stage Of civilization. AS to the
confession of incspacity for self government,
no such confession necessarily follows, but even
the contrary.
Potentially, a people may be capable of
the highest degrees Of craftsmanship aud yet,
from uncomfortable causes, they may be para
lyzed and their country torn aud rent by anar-
chy. A strong vessel once in the rapids of
Niagara will 90 over the cataract, though she
may have more than one good sailor on board
To say that a nation cannot support itself
when swept by famine and pestilence implies
neither blame nor degradation. The illustra.
ton is extreme, but it illustrates the principle
Those who take exception to that principle
entertain notions of self respect far too lofty to
meet the demands of human vcissitudes. But
| need not avail myself of this reasoning to
defend the character and policy of Santo Do
mingo.
The preamble to the Constitution Of the
is established in these words
ITO form more perfect union. to provide for
the common defense, promote the public wei
fare, establish justice, and secure the blessings
of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, we,
the people, do oIdain and establish this Consti
stitutiOn."
These are objects wisely sought. But the
point is this Was there any confession, hu-
initiating or otherwise. of incapacity for self.
government on the part Of the individual States
which entered into this uHion to secure the
noble euds just concentrated They con.
sented to the extinction of their nationality.
But was there anything humilating or degrad-
ing in it? State after State have been ad.
mitted into the Union since it was formed by
forty States. Does any che of these States feel
in any wise degraded? They have simply acted
upon the well known principle that the whole
is wiser and stronger than part, that small
States united are better for all the purposes Of
government than small States divided
The sagacious statesmen who formed our Gov
eminent took no sentimental views of the subject;
they renonnced their little nationalities for
big nationality. knowing that it was better TO
be part of great whole. than 10 be the whole
Of small part. Similar wisdom and practical
common sense shown by santo Domingo.
In consenting to the extinction of their nation
atty and offering themselves for membership,
tina. people prove their capacity for SELF gov
eminent.
The rulers of Santo Domingo have been de-
nourced as political jockeys and tricksters,
basely selling their country for their own selfish
ends. Nothing could be more unjust. Were
citizen of Santo Domingo | would hold up both
hands from the rising I'LL the going down of the
sum- if need be, in favor of the annexation Of
that country to the United States for see no
better way to improve the fortunes and pro.
mote the highest interests Of that country.
In coming into the American Union, in re-
nouncing separate nationality, Sauto Domingo
takes no step backward. She simply swaps
impotence for power civil strife aud rev o!ution
for security aud peace, stagnation and decay
for activity and growth. She parts with dan
ger for safety, isolation and weakness for union
and strength. Then, again, how and upon
what conditions will Santo Domingo come to
us, if she comes at Ill Not as an inferior, not
as a vassal not 10y the windows or by the back.
door but she will coae as au equal-irst as
a Territory, then as State, as other Territories
and States have come before. She cannot
otherwise come. The people Of the United
States no more wish degraded member than
Sanro Domingo wishes to be degraded mem
Der, and upon this basis the two countries must
come together if they come together at all.
Talk Of humiliation, talk of extinction and
degradation 1t is groundess and preposter.
Gus What State in the world would be de.
graded by being made the equa! Of Massachu
setts aud New York? What people need be
ashamed of American citizenship Where
coulI Santo Domingo or any other small State
find more congeral ally or a more powerful
arm to protect her. What European power is
there blsst with institutions as liberal and
benefcent as ours To be a citizen of the
United States is one Of the highest privileges
that any man can boast. 1t is privilege for
which hundreds of thousands renounce their
nationalites in Europe every year, till our
population is made up Of all nations, kindreds,
tongues, and peoples No man feels or ought
to feel that in doing this he has done a mean
thing He has come here to better his con.
diton He has come here just as l want Santo
Domingo to come, that she may share in the