New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-05-04
Massachusetts Oh SantO Domingo

Massachusetts Oh SantO Domingo.
Report OF the Joint Legislative Committee
President Grant Sustained.
BosToN, April l9-The Joint Legislative
Committee on Federal Relations, to whom were
referred the following resolutions, have made
their report:
Resoiued. That the Legislature Of Massa-
chusetts do most heartily approve the conduct
of the Hon. Charles Sumner. in opposing the
annexation of Dominica to the United States,
involving as il does. injury and misfortune to a
weak neighboriDg Republic, possibility of war
and bloOdshed, the joining 10 us of an undo
sirable, ignorant and debauche1l population, an
addition to our great national debt, and in
creased burdens OF taxation that We emphati-
cally denounce the unSecmly attacks made
upon our honorod Senator for boldly and fear
lessly maintaining the right and extend him
gladly our words of cheer and encouragement.
Resoluod, That copy OF this resolution be
forwarded TO each of our Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress.
The report begins with a statement of the
general adysability of possessing station in
the West Indies, and the particular advantages
of Santo Domingo. and then discusses and sets
aside the following objections:
That any inquiry into the state Of the island
That sharpers and iockics have already
bought up or leased the land around SANTANA
Bay.
The intmaton that the President was in
terested in private speculations.
That Santo Domingo Is set apart by God FOR
the negroes.
That this policy is % entering upon dance
of blood
The fear Of trouble from iiayti
That annexation ,Vnuid mot b.upt;t com
merce.
That we have territory enough now.
The difficulty of governing mixed races.
That there is no occasion for hurry.
The report closes:
The committee therefore I'm closing, rs i'm
opening their report, have the honor TO submit
that 1T was the duty of the Government to avail
itself Of what it deemed free offer of SantO
Domingo to come under orr dominion To in
quire fully and alphabetically into the merits Of
the measure. Every administration since the
establishment Of the Government would pro-
badly have availcd itself Of like opportunity
and responded in like spirit. We commend
Congress for ordering the Commission OF In
quiry. We commend the fearless and patriotic
course of the President in filling the Commits
sion with men of such intelligence and indie
pendence of character that their report will, in
the eyes Of their countrymen, furnish a safe
basis for their action. Difference Of opinion
was manifested in Congress when the PROPOSE
ton was introduced. 1t was debated ia an
animated manner there, aud in other organs of
public opinion. 1t so happened that our dis
Iinguished Senator, Mr.. Sumner, differed with
the Administration, with his Senatorial col
league, and other members Of Congress from
this State; and he sustained his views with all
the power. eloquence, and tcnacity fer which
he rs distinguished. We commend freedom OF
opinion and free aid fair discussion The
resolutions submitted TO the committee seize
on the occasion of this debate to pronounce a
legislative encomum upon Mr. Simmer. They
come from a source that il, personally and po-
litically, extremely respectable. To the com
mittee, however, they have strange sound as
the voice of that school of politics they repre-
sent. That school has not often asked Lcgis-
latures, Congresses, conventions, or caucuses
TO pay the statesman compliments. IL has not
signalized itself by eulogi.ing Mr. Sumner for
his great services in behalf Of the Union and
the universal freedom of man. In its bearing
toward him and other great champions of the
rights OF man, 1t has very clearly illustrated
the amiable rule
BE 10 his faults little blind,
BE 10 has virtues very kind.
1t is hardly worth while to sanction this pleasant
attempt of the Senator's political opponents to
use the voice of the Legislature in singing out
this one act for applause, while his long career
of great and eminent services is distinctly
under the ban of their recorded denunciatiun
His name and fame are safest IN the hands of
his older friends They have never been slow
to manifest, IN various ways. their appTecia-
tion of his services, and they Will take further
occasion, when IL may seem proper. 10 en-
courage and sustain hun.
The committee recommend tie adoption of
the following resolutions
Resofced, That the proposal of the Govern
ment OF Santo Domingo "a accept the do
minion OF tins country over that part of the
Island of HispaniGla or Santo Domingo under
Its rule. presenting, rs ~ does the first oppor
tunlty for acquiring tropical territory ~ the
West Indies, with the consent of the Govern
ment and people 70 be affected Dy the change
ought TO be entertained and carefully con.
sidered by our Government We have long
cherished the policy of extending ia peace
able manner the sway of our institutions. en-
terprise, a.d equal laws over some portion OF
these islands, whose soil and forest mi sht fur
hish us the tropical productions that our wants
require, IN exchange for the products of our
more temperate cline and whose coasts might
supply capacious and protected harbors, where
our shipplng, commercial and naval, might
So resorl Tor necessary repairs and supplies.
ouch great advantages 10 our countrv To our
S.P.essed commercial marine, and TO our navy.
- ,o"i'nso seems TO promise If brou ght
~naer the influence of our institutions and The
SWee'suoos oil our coastwise nayiga,ion Ia,vs
~fPi"''' therefore. the course or o,r o.,
ernment In commissioning em;,en, 80. III "'.
worthy men TO visit the island and caracn,' :,
quire INTO and report all the eircumstan,a,' III
may affect the question OF accepting the 80 r.,'
pOsal for annexation. P'o
ResofUed, That the Governor be reoncs,oa
I'd transmit copy of these resolves to each Of
GER Senators and Representatives in Congress-
The report viii probably not be debated tlI
next week.