Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-06
v hose will l have no policy to enforce.

! is confirmed by the report that the interests
of our country and San Domingo alike, invite
annexation of the republic in view of the diff
| ference of opinions upon the subject.
No action will be taken at the present ses-
sion beyond printing, and general dissent
nation of the reports, before the next session
of Congress-. The people will have consider
ed the subject and framed an intelligent opin-
ion concerning it, to which opinion deiber-
ately made up, it will be the duty of every
department of the Government, to give heed.
and no one will more cheertully confer it than
myself.
1t is not only the theory of our constitution
that the will Of the people constitutionally
| expire ssed, is the supreme law; but | have
ever believed that all men were wiser than
any one man, and if the people, upon full
presentation of the facts, shall decide that the
annexation of the republic is not desirable,
every department of the Government ought
to acquess in that decision, in again submit
ting to Congress, subject upon which public
sentiment has been deviated, and which has
been made the occasion of a ceremonious de-
bate in Congress, as well as uni ust aspirations
elsewhere.
may, trust, be induced in single re-
mark: No man can hope to perform the du
ties ceeded ard the responsibilities as pertain
to Presidential offices, without sometimes in
curing the hostilites Of those who deem
their opinion and wishes treated with in
sufficient consideration. and he who under
takes to conduct the affairs of great gov
eminent, as faithful public servant, if sus-
tanned by the approval of his own conscience,
may rely with confidence upon the candor
| and intelligence of a free people, whose best
interests he has strlven to subserve, and can
bear with patience the censor of disappointed
men.
(signed) L. s. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, April 9TH, 1871.
The Commissioners preface their report
by the recital of the resolution of Congress,
under which they were appointed and after a
brief narrative of the events of tie expcdi-
ton, give concise estimation of the political
state and condition and form of government
OF San Domingo. The government is in the
DRY constitutional republic, the President
being elected for six years by the Provinces,
and the Judiciary of the Supreme Court are
chosen for five years by the senate from
Monentions by electoral congress. Each
parish has also its alcalde corresponding to
our courts of the peace, holding office OF ac-
tual doing and good behavior, and not one
was found whose character did not inspire
respect.
Baez appears also legally and constitution
ally entitled to the office which he now holds
and Leuferon are the expense of no clearly
defined policy, and have no hold on public
opinion, beyond the territory which they may
temporarily occupy. Cabral though once
popular leader is incompetent, lacking ad-
ministrative ability, and claims no authority
beyond that of leader of the revolutonists
Lauferon is simply bandit stained with
crime, his chief exploits being robbery and
piracy. Cabral has only few hundred men
operating in the depopulated Districts of
San Juan and Neyband, sustained by troops
and war material from Hayti. The Com
missioners believe that had both these lead
ers welded their own forces and reserves,
they would long ago have been put down.
Besides Hayti aggressions, other causes ag-
gregate the difficulties of the Dominican Re-
public. Among these are provincial jealousy
between the north and south sides of the
Island. A number of military chiefs heading
small clans in the various districts, and the
convenience of the neighboring Islands of
fered for revolutions and insurrectonary
operations.
All of these difficulties, the Commissioners
believe, would disappear, should the Donin-
lean Republic be effectually protected by
connection with a strong nation and local
elf-government in the Island which has
been greatly INSTRUCTED by internal difficult
ties and disturbances, yet many of the oou T.
ellis preserve efficient defence, and are cem-
prised of members of good character and
ability.
The Spanish occupation in the Island in
1861, is found to be consumated by fraud, and
was most unsatisfactory and oppressive in its
results, both civil and religious, by threaten
ing danger to the Masonic fraternity at large.
They also re-established slavery on the Island,
either by importation or by the reduction of the
inhabitants to bondage. The people revolted
and drove the Spaniards into their strong
holds on the coast, where the soldidrs died by
the wholesale, OF malignant fevers.
The desire for annexation to the United
States, the Commissioners state, was found
very wide spread and out-spoken in all parts
OF the Island, and was based apparently upon
thorough and intelligent discussion. The
desire was also ardently shared and sustained
by all the colonies of colored people from the
United States, whose attachment to their ma
tive land seems TO have deepened within
them.
All are Roman Catholics, except the emil
grants, who are Methodists and Baptists,
though no intolerance or religious persecu-
ton can be discovered.
The people generally, on land which they
cultivate, though agricultural operations are
limited by the lack of market, and frequent
political disturbances through the Domiuions
are not averse to work when sure of reasor-
able reward Labor is row in abundant sup
ply at $40 or less per moth.
There are but few schools, and the people
are uneducated, though the Commissioners
believe that opportunities for education would
be eagerly improved the Dominican being
posed of proverbial shrewdness, and much
natural ability. Only one small and poorly
equipped printing Office exists in the republic
The general political capacity of the people
is regarded favorably, having been for years
neither slavery nor the cast spirit being able
| to deprive them of their manliness, courage
| and devotion wasted in instruction, abunant-
| ly prove their capacity for self government
and regular political action. The Commits
siorfers estimated the actual population of the
Republic at 100000, more than nineteen
twenths being native Dominicans. White
blood preponderates largely, the majority
being much nearer white than black. Geol-
ogists find the existence of ore iron, copper
and gold, with deposits of legnte, rock salt
and petroleum. Iron ore is abundant and
easy of access, and will doubtless be made
available for the cheap construction of pig
iron. The copper ores are of fair degree
of richness, and beds have been opened to a
slight extent The reported coal of the Sa-