Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-04-12

His report fully eorroborated the views of
previous commissioners, and upon its re-
ceipt i felt that a sense of duty and a due
regard for our great national Interests re-
qulred me TO negotiate treaty for the ac-
QUESTION of the Republic of San Domingo.
As soon as IL became publicly known that
such q treaty had been negotiated, the at
tention of the country was occupied with
allegations calculated TO prejudice the nler-
It's OF the case, and with aspersions upon
those whose duty had connected them with
1t. Amidst the public excitement thus
created the treaty failed to receive the
requisite two-thirds vote of the Senate,
and was rejected; but whether the action
of this body was based wholly upon the
merits OF the treaty, or might not have
been In some degree Influenced by such
nnfounded allegations, could not beknown
by the people, because the debates OF the
Senate in secret sessions are not pablished.
Under these circumstances / dsemed ii
due to the office which hold, ard due to
the character Of the agents who had
been charged with the investigation,
that such proceedings should be had as
would enable the people TO know the truth.
THE COMMISSIONERS REpoRT.
A commission was, therefore constituted
under authority of Congress, consisting of
gentlemen selected with special reference
to their high character and capacity for tn i,
We're instructed to visit the spot and report
upon the facts. Other eminent citizens
were requested to accompany the COM
mission, in order that the people might
have the benefit of their views Students
of science and correspondents of the press,
without regard to political opinions, We're
invited to join the expedition, and their
numbers were limited only by the capaci-
ty of the vessel. The mere rejection, by
the Senate, of II treaty negotiated by the
President only indicates difference of
opinion between the two coordinate de-
partments of the Government, without
touching the character or wounding the
the pride of either. But wlRp such re-
lection takes place simultaneously with
charges, openly made, of sorrAption on the
part of the President, or of those employed
by him, the case is different. Indeed, in
i'll such case, the honor of the nation de-
mands Investigation. This-has been ac-
complished by the report OF the commits
sioners herewith transmitt9d, and which
fully vindicates the purif1 OF the mo-
tives and actions of thc~ who repre-
sented the United State = in tho ne
gotiation, and now my tax is finished
and with it ends all personal solicitude
upon the subject. My dizzy being done
yours begins, and wiliiHgly hand over
the whole matterto the slgment of the
American people, and III their repre-
|
facts will now be spread {Hiorc the coun-
! try, and decision rendercdmy that tribu-
nal whose convictions so selfioni err, and
/ against whose will | have no policy to en-
force. My opinion remains unchanged ;
indeed, it is confirmed by the report, that
the interest of our country and of San Do
mingo, alike, invite the annexation of
that Republic. In view of the difference
! of opinion on the subject, | suggest that
| no action be taken at the present session,
| beyond the printing and general dissem-
| ination of the report. Before the next
session of Congress the people will have
considered the subject, and formed an in
| telligent opinion concerning it, to which
opinion, deliberately made UP, 1t shall be
| the duty of every department Of the Gov
ernment to give heed, and no one will
more cheerfully conform to it than my
self. 1t is not only the theory of our
| Constitution, that the will of the people,
| consututionalIy expressed, Is the supreme
| law, but / have everbelieved that all men
are wiser than any one man, and if the
the people, upon full presentation
of the facts shall decide that the
annexation of the Republic is not desira-
bic, every department of the Govern
ment ought to acquiesce in that decision.
! In again submitting to Congress a subject
divided, and which has been made the
occasion of acrimonious debate in Con-
gress, as well as of unjust aspersions else
where, i may, trust be indulged in a
single remark. No man can hope to per-
| form duties so delicate and responsible as
pertain to the Presidential office with
out sometimes incurring the hostility of
those who deem their opinions, and wishes
treated with insufficient consideration,
and he who undertakes to conduct the af-
fairs of great Government, faithful
public servant, if sustained by the APP
proval of his own conscience, may rely
with confidenceuponth the hecandorand intelli-
gence of free people whose best interests
he has striven to subserve and can bear
with patience the censure of disappointed
| men. Signed II. S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April 5, 1871.