Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-01-19

IA little speck of earth floating on the
bosom Of the Atlantic, east of the South
ern limit of the United States, has gotten
up a terrible muss in Congress. 1t has
given occasion for the birth of as many
gigantic speculations, wide spreading the
cries, the "glittering generalities'' of or
s~atorical combustion, ~infammatory har-
contentious, debates and Quixot-
'ic calculations, as we'll as the opposite of
all these, as if this Island were as extensive
and valuable as a continent. Some of our
most astute and far seeing statesmen are
ipersistently advocating its annexation,
while others repel the scheme, as entirely
unwise and detrimental. Some urge it
from a moral, as well asa financial stand
point. That annexation will bring about
an early revolution among its inhabitants,
redeem them from their rude and savage
habits. manners and customs, educate them
by the introduction of American c~iviliza-
ton, learning and skill and in fine. make
poor benighted Domonica, a seat of en-
pire, wealth and refinement. They en-
force their arguments, not only by a san
-guine prophecy of these laudable accom-
plishments, bat a remuneration in the way
of the rich and varied productions of in
t~elligent labor. Their philosophy has GER
tainly a winning merit of FEASIBILITY and
benevolent design.
On the other hand, the remoteness of
the island from our seat of government,
the degradation and barbarism of its peo-
pie, that would make it a troublesome and
burdening dependency for long years to
come the thousands and ten thousands,
at home, having stronger and more urgent
claims to the fostering care and protec-
ton of their government and their worthy
demands being still unsatisfed, and our
already vast and cumbrous territory, in
volving so great expenditures for its gov
eminent and development. are the objec-
tons urged. The movement it is said
owes its paternity to President Grant and
of course coming from him, it at once
opened up a political question. The OPP
ponents of annexation are chiefly Demo
Gratis and a few Republicans who aspire to
the next Presidency, and suppose if the
President accomplishes his st. Domingo
Job, things are gone up" and he will be
Srenominated. rn
''' We are utterly opposed to conquest,
but should the people of St. Domingo de-
sire annexation, and there is no obstacle
to a fair and amicable requirement of it,
iwe do not know but that it would rebound
to the national interests to receive them.
But compulsion should not be resorted to.
4 National rapacity and greed are abhored by
the civilized world and are subversive OF
all ideas and principles of freedom and
Justice. 4 star, thus added to our now
pure flag would only shine with a lustre,
that would forever keep. in bold relief.
the baseness and insamy of the act that
placed it there. We have entire confidence
in the honesty and integrity of the Pres
ident, and in his appreciation of the mu-
tual obligations of nations and cannot be-
lieve he would propose and urge any mea-
sure in ~antagonism with them.
If the President were under the neces-
sity of refuting the accusations made
against him. of his motives in effecting
this annexation, he could not have done
Il more positively and conclusively than
by appointing Hon. Ben. Wade. Bishop
Simpson and Prof. White of the Cornell
University, as the Commissioners. Bish-