Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-19
CaE RUTLAND HERALD.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY Is, ISL
San Domingo.

San Domingo.
Tho President on Tuesday transmitted
- tn, Senate an answer to Mr.. Summers
p, solution of inquiry, relative to Dominl-
., ;,s resources financial condition, and
relations with Hayti and with European
nations, and history OF the negotiations
with the United States, looking to the &C.
QUESTION or annexation of any portion OF
the Island. The message is accompanied
BIZ "A letter from Secretary Fish, tr1hs-
mitting the documents and correspohu
epce on the subject The fret part Is his
toricaI and reviews the history Of Domini-
ca from the partition of the island De-
tween France and Spain in l771, WITH the
outlines of the Dominican independence
and its recognition by the United STATES
It would seem that negotiations were
commenced under President Pierces adj
ministratiou, which proved iru'tiess' IL
w.s renewed by Secretary Seward in 1866,
to cede the Jurisdiction of SANTANA Bay
On an advance Of million Of dollars. he
sent several individuals to San Domingo,
10 investigate, and it would appear that
President Grant, in considering this SUBJ
ject, is only pursuing the course OF pre-
yious administration 1t is well, there
fore, that Congress should authorize the
able commission which sails to-day, to in
yestigate and report for the information
of the people. The commission has been
wiaely selected. Ben #. Wade, in whom
the whole nation has confidence, Samuel
G.. Howe, the veteran philanthroPist who,
when Greece was holding up its starved
hands, set sail for her relief, and An
drew D. White,a Professor in Cornell Uni
yersity, a learned, wise and discreet man
From such trio of able men the Ameri'
can people will learn the truth in the
whole matter.
As has repeatedly been expressed II
oar columns, we favor the acquisition o.
San Domingo, and believe the Presiden
to be acting only from the purest motives
in pressing it upon the attention OF Con
gress. We must confess surprise that the
Republicans in Congress should maxi
suoh bitter opposition to this project. Th'
Vermont delegation oppose the project
and ere long their views will undoubtedl.
be laid before the people by their utter
auces in Congress on this question. Tn
limited debate in the Senate on the re
solution providing for the commission ha
foreshadowed the views of Senators Nor
rill and Edmunds,
The politicians seem to be using thi
subject for their own purposes. tn
Democrats oppose the measure oeoaus
they would defeat the project at In
present in order that they may take !
up in the future, when they shall com
in possession of power and therefore &c
tho credit Of annexation. DO the Reput
leans oppose it because OF fear OF wa
with Hayti, Spain, France or Great Br
tain ? Certainly Hayti would have
oauee, and France and Spain have no II
terest in the question. Great Britain sure
ly has no cause for opposition, for its trad
within few years after its annexatlo
would be largely increased from what
ia or would be without annexation. Ihos
politicians who oppose the scheme hay
appearance OF an intention to injure Pre-
sident Grant, and they will live to regre
the course they pursue.
The people, before they condemn tn
project, should examine it in the light
history. What is the testimony OF a
history in reference to this island 90
umbus placed it at the summit OF all h
discoveries. To writing home to Spain
gave glowing description oft. He ga
the inhabitants lived life of ease, wi
little labor, enjoying all the luxuries
the tropica The valleys are well water'
with streams, and are covered with pc
petual yerdure, bearing fruits, biossomlr
and ripening from day to day, yieldir
food all the year round. The interior
the country is mountainous, but the slop
can be cultivated even to their SUNNI
and furnish every variety of climate su
able to every kind of tree and grain al
vegetables The mountains are full
minerals, aud the sands of the rivers 8
glisteuing with gold duet. Such is
country about which there is so inu
yexatious discussion, and President Ora
should be supported in his advocacy
its acquisition.