National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-04-21
Message from the Pre- Idemt.

the report Of the Santo Domingo Com
missioners
10 he S,aate and House NJ RepreSe"tafirss'
have the honor 10 submit To the two
Houses OF Congress the report OF the
Commissioners appointed in pursuance
OF the Joint resolution approved Jan H.
1871. II will be observed that this re-
port more than sustains all that ! have
heretofore said in regard 10 the produc-
tivcness and hcalthiulness Of the Repub-
lie Of Santo Domingo, of the unanimity
Of the people for annexation 10 the
United States, and Of their pcaccable
character. II is due 10 the public, M II
certainly il To myself, that should here
give all the circumstances which first led
10 the negotiation of treaty for the an
nexation of the Republic Of Santo Do
mingo to the United States,
When ] accepted the arduous and re.
sponsible position which ! now hold, !
did not dream Of instituting any steps Tor
the acquisition Of insular possessions.
believed, however, that our late institu-
tons were broad enough to extend over
the entire continent rs rapidly ms other
people desire to bring themselves under
our protection. believed, further, that
We should not permit any Independent
Government within the limits Of North
America TO pass from II condition of in
dependence to one of ownership or pro-
lection under European Power.
Soon after my Inauguration as Prcsi.
dent was waited upon by an agent OF
President Baez, with n proposition to an
mex the Republic Of Santo Domingo to
the United States. The gentleman rep
resented the capacity of the Island, the
desire of the people, and their character
and habits, about IA they have been do
acri,,rd NV the Commissioners, whose
report accompanies this message. He
stated further, that, being weak in
numbers and poor in purse, they were
not capable Of developing their great
resources that the people had no incen-
tive to industry, on account OF lack OF
protection for their accumulations, and
that if not accepted by the United States,
with institutions which they loved above
those of any other nation, they would be
compelled to seek protection elsewhere.
To these statements | made no reply,
and gave no indication of what ] thought
of the proposition.
In the course of time ] was waited
upon by second gentleman from Santo
Domingo who made the same represen-
tations, and who was received in like
manner. In view of the facts laid be-
fore me, and with an earnest desire TO
maintain the Monroe Doctrine, believed
that | would be derclict in my duty if |
did not take measures to ascertain the
exact wish of the Government and the
inhabitants Of the Republic of Santo
Domingo, III regard to annexation, and
communicate the information to the
people of the United States. Under the
attending circumstances | felt that if |
turned II deaf ear to this appeal might,
in the future, be justly charged with
fragrant neglect of the public interests,
and utter disregard of the welfare of n
down-trodden race, praying for the bless
in2s Of free and strong government,
and for protection in the enjoyment of
the fruits of their own industry, Those
opponents of annexation who have here
tofore professed to be prominently the
friends Of the rights of man, | believed
wNld be my most violent assailants if |
neglected so clear duty
Accordingly, after having appointed a
Commissioner to visit the Island, who
declined, on account of sickness, | select
ed second gentleman, in whose capa-
city, Judgment, and integrity | had, and
have vet, the most unbounded confidence.
He visited Santo Domingo, not to secure
or hasten annexation, but unprejudiced
and unbiased, to learn all the facts about
the Government, the people, and the re-
sources of that Republic. He went GER
tainly as well prepared to make an I'M
favorable report as favorable one if the
facts warranted it. His report fully
the views of previous Com
and upon its receipt | felt
that sense of duty, and due regard
for our great National interests, required
me to negotiate treaty for the acqulsl-
ton of the Republic of Santo Domingo.
As soon us it became publicly known
that such treaty bad been negotiated,
the attention of the country was occupied
with allegations calculated to prejudice
the merits of the case, and with those
whose duty had connected them with it.
Amid the public excitement thus Gre
ated. the treaty failed to receive the re-
quisite two-thirds vote of the Senate,
and was rejected But whether the action
Of that body was based wholly upon the
merits of the treaty, or might not have
been in some degree influenced by such
unfounded allegations, could not be
known to the people, because the de-
bates of the Senate in secret session are |
not published. Under these circum-
stances, | deemed it due to the Office |
which | hold, and due to the character .
Cf the agents who had been charged .
with the investigation, that such pro-
ceedings should be had as would enable
the people to know the truth.
A Commission was therefore consti-
tuted, under authority Of Congress, con
sisting of gentleIr 'c,ccted with spe-
cial reference to .neir high character
and capacity for the laborious work in
trusted to them, who were instructed to
visit the spot and report upon the facts.
Other eminent citizens were requested
to accompany the Commission, in order
that the people might have the benefit
Of their views. Students of science and
of the press, without re-
gard to political opinions, were invited
20 join the expedition, and their num-
bers were limited only by the capacity
Of the vessel. The mere rejection by
the Senate of treaty negotiated by the
President only indicates difference of
opinion of the Government, without
touching the character or woundipg the
pride of either. But when such re-
lection takes place simultaneously with
charges openly made of corruption on
the part of the President or of those
by him, the case is different
Ii H. l--..-..- Z l.