New-York tribune., 1871-03-28
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
SANTO DOMINGO DISCUSSED.
Mr. SUMMERS SPEECH.
A THREE HOURS ARGUMENT AGAINST TIE Az
NEXATION SCHEME

oumners resolutions in regard to the action Of the
United States Government toward Hayti during tho
oanto Domingo negotiations, he submitted an ad-
dtionai resolution found under regular Congress
report, and then spoke as follows:
Ar. Iresident: Entering again upon this dscussion
| periorm duty which cannot be avoided. wish
~ "eio o'herWise, but duty Is q taslmaster 20 ba
opeyeo. On evidence now before the Senate, II IL
pam 'nae the Navy Of the United States, acting
| under orders from Washington has been engarea in
measures Of violence and OF bollI0erent n,orvon,,o
being war, without the authority OF Congress- An ac.
OF without the authority OF Congress ia no commo,
event. This is the simplest statement Of the case Tine
whole business Is aggravated when 1t Ia considered
that the declared object OF this violence IA the aeouIs
tion Of foreign territory being half Island in the Ca
rbbean Sea and still further that this violence has been
| employed, first, TO prop and maintain a weak ruler
| himself a usurper, upholding him in power that no
might sell his country and, secondly, 1t has been
| ployed to menace the Black Republic OF Hayti.
Such case cannot pass without inquiry II is too
grave for silence For the sake OF the Navy, which has
been the agent for the sake OF the Administration under
which the Navy acted for the sake Of Republican Inst
tutions which suffer when the Great Republic makes
itself pattern OF violence and for the sake Of the Re-
publican party, which cannot afford to become respon-
slble for such conduct the must DC examined on
the and the law and also in the light OF precedent,
40 far as precedent holds its torch When speak for
Republican Institutions, II is because would not have
great example weakened before the world ana onr
good name tarnshed. And when speak for the Repul
ican party, IL is because from the beginning have been
the faithful servant of that party and aspire TO see 1t
strong and triumphant But beyond all these consider
aOns Is the commanding rule OF justice which cannot
be dsobeyed with impunty.
QUESTION STATED.
The question which present is very simple u is NOT
whether the acquisition of the Island Of santo Domingo
in whole or part, with population foreign in origin
language and institutions, desirable but whether
iusf fnad I'm he multa
this acquisition This question ia essentially preliminary
in character and entirely independent OF the main ques
ton. On the main question there may be difference OF
opinon-some thinking the acquisition desirable and
others desirabe anxious for empire at least
sanitariun In the tropics and others anxious for
black Republic where the African race shall show an
example OF self-governmeht, by which the whole
may be uplifted thinking Of gold mines salt noun
ains hogshesds of sugar bags Of coffee and boxes OF
cigars; others thinking OF what TO the Afr
But whatever the difference OF opinoE on the
question. the evidence before us shows too
clearly that means have employed which cannot he
justified And this is the question to which now ask
the attention OF the Senate.
REASON FOR INTEREST IN QUESTION
Here, Sir venture relate how aud at what time
became specially aroused this question. The treaty
for the annexation OF the Dominican people pending
before the Senate and occupied in considering IT,
asking two questions: First: Is it good for u.s. and,
Secondly. Is 1t good for themi The more medtated
questions found myself forgetting the former
and considering the latter, or, rather, the former
was absorbed in the latter. Thinking Of giant
strength my anxiety increased for the weaker party,
and thought Of what good for them than for
U.s. Is annexation good for themi This the ques-
ton on my mind when was honored by visit from
the Assistant Secretary Of State, bringing with him
handful of dispatches from santo Domingo. Among
these dispatches from consular agent there,
who signed the treaty Of annexon from which II dis
tincty appeared that Baez while engaged In selling his
country maintained in power by the Navy Of the
United States That such the official report OF our
consular agent who signed the treaty. there can be no
question, and this official report sustained by at
least one other consular dispatch. confesr now my
emotion as read this painful revelation UDsil then
had supposed the proceeding blameess, although pre-
cpitate. had not imagined any such terrible aud nde
fensble irregularity.
These dispatches became important testimony
when it appeared that the writers personally IN
favor Thus, then, it stood that, on the Off
eal report of agents were engasedn forcing
upon a weak people the sacrifice OF their country To
me apparent at that tho acquisition OF tins
foreign territory would not be respectable or even toef
able unless by the consent of the people there without
force on our part. Tie treaty contract, which, ac-
cording to our own witnesses. obtained through
ruler owing power to our vessels As such, IL
beyond all question contract obtained under duress,
and therefore, void, while the duress an interfer-
ece tie internal affairs of foreign country, and
which rule % International Law. Az tls lues-
tion presented ITSELF lost no time IN visiting the Navy
Department in order u examine the Instructions under
which naval officers were acting and also telr le-
ports unhapply these instructions and reports were
too harmony with the other testimony. 80 thar
the State Department and Navy Department each con
the record Of the depOrabe proceedings and sD
they pressed the consummatOn. could not have be-
leved il had not the evidence been explicit The story
of Naboth's Vineyard was revived.
Violence begcts violence and that in sano Domingo
naturally extended It is with nations with indi-
vduas--once stepped in, they go forward. The harsh
menace by which the independence the Black Repub
lie Of Hayti rudey assaied came next IL was an
other stage IN begerent intervention AZ these things
were unfolded, felt that could not hesitate. Here
was shocking wrong II must Dc arrested; ana 10 ihs
end have labored IN good FAITH Ii am earnest II ls
because cannot see wrong done without seeking 10
arrest it. Especially am moved If this wrong be done
to the weak and humble Then, by the efforts Of my life
and the commission have received from hasSiehnset
am vowed to do what can for the protection ana ee
yaton of the African race If can help them, will
can them from outrage must. And never before
the occasion more imminent than now.
CONTRACT CEssIoS OF TERRITORY MUST BE WITH
OUT PRESENCE OF SUPERIOR FORCE
speak only according 10 unquestonabie reason and
the instincts OF the human heart wheE say that con-
tract the cesson OF territory must be far ana WIN
ont suspicion Of overawing force. Nobody can don'
this rule, whether for individuals or nations an" "hee
one party is powerful than another II becomes
more imperative Especially must 10 be sacred VIII
Republic, for it is nothing hut the inanaatg V % JuS
r. Is general in its apr ation nay mort, ~ ~ par
universal law common all mnnclpal systems anu 10
international law. Amy departure issiIa painy
thar can he mo eesson OF territory and especially no
surrender of national independence ehcep ss 'IS % t
20 - @ inc a. hostile cannon are lIOwblng Ihe bisb
ot %ar 80 ottion o must be withdrawal OF all force
coerciye or minatory
KxANPLE oP SPAIN
uers the example OF Spain furnishes beacon light
,,, ., an invitation not unlike that Of BaeZ TO the
In,,cd states this ancient monarchy was Induced by
President Of Dominica, n entertain the PROPOSE
49,, % reanne xion to Crown Here let IL be remarked
Thai santana legitimate President while Baez Is
surn.ng dictator And mark the contrast between
a ancient monarchy and our Republic, painful AS II II
n m Spain boasted in official papers that in the act of
noxi ion the Dominicans were spontaneous, free and