The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-04-06

DIZZY tnaS the eleott0p Qt. q Governor
Will devolye upon, the, Legislature. The
munioal elections throughout the coun-
try are much confused; there are many
violent changes. which are generally at
tributed to local causes. st. Louis was
swept by the Democrats-by majority
OF probably 1000. The Republicans
in the Senate and fifteen in the House.
Kelloggs majority is 49,
The following is the Presidents mes.
sage on San Domingo:
70 The Senate and House Of Representa-
tiDes:
have the honor to submit herewith
to the two houses Of Congress the re-
port OF the commissioners appointed in
pursuance OF joint resolution, approy-
ed January 12, 1871. It will be observed
that this report more than sustains all
that have heretofore said in regard to
the productiveness nnd healthfulness of
the Republic OF San .,omingo, Of the
unanimity Of the people for annexation
to the United States, and their peaceable
character.
It is due to the public, as it certainly
is to myself, that I should here give ali
the circumstances which first led to the
negotiation OF treaty for the annexa-
tion OF the Republic of San Domingo to
the United States. When I accepted
the arduous and responsible position
which now hold, T did not dream of
lnstltnting any steps for the a,qhisition
OF lnsnlar possessions. believed, how
ever, that our institutions we're broad
enough to extend over the entire cont.
nent as rapidly as other peoples might
desire to bring themselves under our
1,nJf1
should not permit any independent
government within the limits Of Nor,h
America to pass from n condition of in
dependence to one of ownership or pro-
teotion under any European power.
Soon after my inauguration as Presi
dent, was waited upon by an agent Of
President Baez, with proposition to m.
mex the Republic of Snn Domingo to
the United States. This gentleman rep.
resented the capacity of the island, the
desire OF the people, and their character
and habits about as they have been de-
scrlbed by the Commissioners, whose re-
port accompanies this message. he
stated, further, that being weak in num-
bers and poor in purse, they were not en-
pable OF developing their great resources;
thai the people had no incentive to in
dustry. on account Of lack of protection
for their accumuiations; and that. if not
accepted by the United States, with in
stitutions which they loved above those
OF any other nation, they would be com
PEELED to seek protection elsewhere. 10
these statements,9I made no reply, aud
gave no indication OF what thought OF
tue proposition. In:the course of time,
| was waited upon By q second gentle
man, from San Domingo, who made the
same representations and who was re-
ceived in like manner.
In view of the facts Which had been
LAID before me, and with an earnest desire
to maintain the Monroe doctrine, I be.
lleved that l would be dirclcct in nv
duty II l did not take measures to ascer-
tain the exact wish of the Government
anu inhabitants Of the Republic of San
Domingo, in regard to annexation, and
communicate the information to the
people of the United States. Under the
attending circumstances, felt that if r
turned deaf ear to this appeal, might
in the future be justly charged with n
hagrant neglect of the public interests,
and an utter disregard OF the welfare Of
a down-trodden race. praying for the
blessings Of FREQ md strong govern
ment, and for protection in the enioy-
ment OF the fruits Of their own industry.
Those opponents Of annexation, who
have heretofore professed to be promi-
nently tho friends OF the rights Of man,
believed would be my most violent as
sailants if I neglected so clear q duty.
Accordingly, after having appointed n
com missioner to visit the island, who
declined on account Of sickness, T So
lected n second gentleman, in whose
capacity, Judgment and integrity had,
and have yet, the most undoubted conf
dence. He visited San Domingo, not to
secure or hasten annexation, bnt. un-
prelndiced and unbiased, to learn all
the facts about the Government, tho
people and the resources Of that repub-
lie. ae went, certainly, as well pre-
pared to make m unfavornble report ms
a favorable one, If the facts wnrrantel it.
His report fully corroborated tue views
OF previous commissioners, and, upon It's
receipt, felt thut sonse of duty aud n
due regard for our great national interests
required mo to negotiate treaty for tho
acquisition OF tho Republic Of San Do
mingo.
AS soon as it became publicly known
that such treaty had been negotiated.
the attention of the country was occu
pied with allegations calculated to pre.
ludlco the merits OF the case, aud with
nrN