The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-14
THE SAN DOMINGO COMMISSION.


THE SAN DOMINGO COMMISSION.
From the NJ Y Times.
The way in which some of Senator Schurzs
arguments against the annexation of San
Domingo were met in the Senate by Senator
Wilson and others gives indications of
spirit which we trust will not preside over
the inquiries of the commission Mr.. Schurz
argues that the inhabitants of tropical couu-
tries are not capable either of conducting an
orderly and free government, or of engaging
in energetic and prosperous industry. Now,
he hnay be wrong in this; it is an assertion
which the Romans might have used
against the inhabitants of Northern Europe,
and which, had all traces of the Roman
Empire perished in the Dark Ages, the in
habitants of Northern Europe might now
make of the inhabitants of Southern Europe.
1t is, of course, always dangerous to lay
down any proposition about the absolute aud
perpetual capacity or incapacity of any race
or people. There was in the ninth century
petition in the litany used in the churches
Hungarians, good Lord, deliver us! !" and if
anybody had uttered to those who used it
the prediction that those thieving, numbering
savages would eventually have become one
of the most sensible and successful sets of
politicians in the civilized world, he would
have been we'll laughed at. Illustrations of
this kind might easily be multiplied
Nevertheless, the longer the period daring
which people have failed to do a thing, the
more reason is there for believing that they
cannot do it, and the safer is it to assert that
they will not do it; and certainly there could
not be a safer assertion of the kind made
than that the inhabitants of tropical countries
will never succeed either in politics or indus
try. We know them since the very dawn of
history, and they never have succeeded in all
that time in achieving eninence either as
producers or politicians. We know, too, that
as matter of fact, the effects of the tropical
climate on the human frame are very debili-
tating and enervating. Different races
suffer from them in different degrees
the Caucasian most of all, and the
negro least-but all suffer. The great indus
trial regions of the world, those of Asia, as
well as those of Europe and America, lie, and
have always lain, outside the tropics and the
successful Governments of the world have
always been found outside the tropics. Is
that reasoning as we usually reason, and have
to reason, in politics I? He is not to be con-
sidered rash or bad man who says that if we
annex San Domingo the Dominicans will say:
-"Give as much help in the work of govern
ment as in the work Of production" aud it
would be very unfortunate for them,and for
under the influence of very high-hoRn a
pTioqt notions as to the capacity Of all man.
kind for self-government.
Senator Wilson says that if the inhabitants
of tropical countries were not fit for self-gov-
eminent, "the Almighty ought to have called
the philosophers into His councils before He
made the torrid regions" With all respect
TO the Senator be it said, this was a very
| foolish speech. There is nothing more mys.
;x,,2robol,1o in, (A0H'c ha A.
the inhabitants of the torrid regions incapa-
bic of government, than his having
allowed large bodies of the inhabitants of al
climates to pass their lives from age to age IL
sin ahd misery, or in his allowing disease and
death to rayage the world. Both are mystic
Iious, to be sure, but we must not deny the
existence of things because we do not under
stand them, nor doubt the existence of Provi
dence because the whole earth is not covered
by happy republic.
On the other hand, it would be very unfor
tunate for the commission to 90 doyK
| clothed with prepossessions of any kline
against the Dominicans We have the great
est respect for Mr.. Wade, Mr.. Dodge. ant
Mr. White. Their honesty is unquestion
able, and their judgment is sound, but the
judgment of the community at large upor
the question of annexing Dominica is likely
to be sounder. We think they will do bes
service in the careful collection of evidence
without respect to persons, parties, or OPT
mons, and its presentation to the country
IN lucid and compact form. We know yer,
little about the Dominicans, their religion
morals, manners, opinions, or capacity, anC
need to know great deal The first requisite
of a commission appointed to investigate
their condition, in the midst of such a con
troversy as is now raging in Washington, i
character, and this we have undoubtedly got
The President coald not have given bette