Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-30

ence, and evidently has been made hastily, in
ignorance of the real circumstances in the case
or in misapprehension of their legal effect.
The United States was dealing with the regu-
larry constituted Government of the Domican
republic and for purpose not inconsistent
with international law, and though the right
of revolution against the constituted authority
for Just and adequate cause inheres in every
people, yet the constituted Government Is,
until it is actually overthrow, the legal rep
resentative of the nation in all its relations TO
other people, and the right of revolution does
not carry with it to revolutionists, pending
their contest, the right to treat the agents of
other nations as enemies, when not in arms
against them, while they are acting as they
have an international right to act in accord
ance with the laws of the existing government.
Such treatment, without formal notice, is con-
trary to the rules of civilized warfare, and the
notice, if given, is at the peril of the insur
gents, and justified only when the disturbance
rises to the dignity of revolution. But nei-
Their the United States or its Executive has
chosen to take part, or has taken part in the
internal conflicts of the Dominican Republic
The situation is this The President of the
United States has by the Constitution the right
to make treaties, subject to the ratification of
the Senate. The Congress of the United
States, in 1866, appropriated a considerable
sum of money for the understood purpose of
acquiring, by lease or purchase, part OF the
island of San Domingo and the bay and PEN
insular of SANTANA, considered the most ap-
propriate for our purpose as naval stations,
and the Republic of San Domingo itself, with
its favorable position and natural resources
its friendly government and people, seemed
for the purposes of commerce and civilization
in 10 la for fha rnif
those fragments of our continent which lie
across the gateways of our domestic COM
merce, and shut up the entrance of our great
inland sea. To initiate all treaties is the con-
stitutional right of the President and
thus he had the constitutional power
to negotiate treaties for the cession
of SANTANA and the annexation of the Do
minican Republic, if on proper considerations
he thought it right and for the interest of the
country, whose interests are to this extent in
trusted to his judgment. 1t was his constitu-
tional right and he did negotiate such treaties
with the existing Government of the Republic,
cOnfessedly the Government both de facto
and de JRre. The treaties, of course, were
inchoate, subject to be confirmed or defended
by the action of the Senate of the United
States and the people of San Domingo. But
by such treaties, and pending such final action,
the United States acquired an interest in the
rightfnlly disturbed by any other power, and
it was the plain duty of the Executive to pro-
tect, if need be, the integrity of this constitu-
tionally acquired interest so that the subject
of negotiation might remain intact until the
final action of the ratifying powers could be
properly had. This duty is plain, and in ev-
cry case of valuable acquisition the execution
of it will be expected and approved by the
people. 1t was in the discharge of such duty
that in the early part of the present century
1 President Madison marched the army of the
United States into and actually took possession
of the territory then known as w. Florida in
Guiding what is now the State of Alabama, for
which territory negotiations were then pending
and afterward concluded and settled with Spain.
This action was approved by Congress and the
people, not as the exercise of war power, but
as protecting the interest constitutionally
acquired, and which the Executive was bound
to maintain intact, while it remained in use.
In the present case the President has hitherto
only pursued, in relation to the Republic of
San Domingo, this same recognized policy of
our Government, and under treaty and by
, means of the appropriation of Congress for
such purpose we took possession OF the bay
and peninsula OF SANTANA. This possession
2 we still hold and while our flag flies there we
must protect from every interference the in
terest which it represents. In carrying out
TINS recognized pollcy the Government of the
United States has not fired a shot nor landed
a man in hostile attitude on the island of San
, Domingo, and has neither interfered in the
, internal conflicts of the Dominican Republic
0 nor coerced any other power. 1t has simply
4 announced to the people generally, and par
ticularly to such as appeared in threatening
attitude, its determination to protect until
! finally disposed of the interest it had acquired
8 in that Republic, from all attacks from with
, out its boundaries, and from the interference
of any foreign power, so that, in the event of
the treaties being ratified, it would be left the
thing contracted for, with no hostile posses
sions intervening to destroy our right of pre-
! emption. To do this is certainly not to make
war or to take part in the conflicts of the coun-
try, nor to coerce, nor to attempt to coerce
any power. 1t is but the simple performance
OF duty to Congress and to the nation, in
preserving, in its existing condition, what we
have constitutionally entered into negotiations
constitutonally to acquire, under orders of
the Executive. 1t is part of the duty of
those ships of your fleet, which at any time
are cruising in the waters of San Domingo,
to maintain this status against every power;
and while we would not yield the right to in
terfere with it to the most powerful govern
ment, we cannot concede that right even TO
the weakest.
Very respectfully yours,