Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-28
SAN DOMINGO.

The report of the Commissioners to ST.
Domingo will soon be published and
spread before the country the facts which
they have gathered and the conclusions
at which they have arrived. On the other
hand Mr.. Summers speech will present an
elaborate argument against annexation.
But 1t il said the President will not press
for action by Congress upon the subject.
While we regard the acquisition of St.
Domingo as desirable if it could be fairly
and satisfactorily accomplished, there are
vet in our opinion doubts about the policy
of pushing such measure at this time.
We believe the spirit which resists the an
nexation of any more territory to this
country is not that by which we should be
guided as a principle, but there may be
order to be successful. Sooner or later
the United States will have to deal with
the question of annexing territory both
North and South, and the sooner the bet
ter providing circumstances at home are
favorable. The union of the German
States under one government is an exam
pie of the tendency of things in Europe to
annexation. Small states are dropping
out of the map. Boundaries established
by nature are regarded as the only proper
ones upon which nations should rely.
Small states are not only weaker but
more burdensome to the people. Every
state of the German union is stronger to-
day than when they stood alone, either
for defence, aggression, or in the guaran-
tees Of peace and prosperous industry
When our government was threatened
with dismemberment and the establish
ment of another in the southern states,
our people at once comprehended that
such q step accomplished would fatally
weaken us, not only by the loss of terrific
~ and ability to resist attacks by foreign
powers, but by mutual jealousy between
the parts, large military and naval force:
to watch each other, custom houses ant
forts to be built and maintained, two GOV
ernments to be supported instead of one
and the commerce of the sections blocke
by expensive and irritating regulations
Arguments that weighed in favor @
preserving the Union weigh in favor of an
nexation of neighboring territory when
can be peaceably and satisfactorily accom-
plished. The expansion of the states doe
not destroy their coherency. Maine ant
Oregon chung to the Union wher
Virginia cut the strings that held her ~
far as she could. There is sufficient at
traction at the centre to hold all firmly t,
it from the frozen ocean to the isthmus
and until we reach those limits we shall
probably have the question of annexation
before us. The world is drifting towards
large governments and we shall 60 with
the tide The Baron and his retainers,
the Chieftain and his elan, have given
way to broader ideas, which are still
marching on to larger conquests. One step
leads to another Dominica is knocking at
the door. The government of the Cana
dian Dominion is annoyed and admonish-
ed by demonstrations from time to time in
various parts of that country in favor of
annexation. and probably will seriously
have to consider the question before long
Cuba would have joined US before this
had it not been for Spanish influence.
Thus the question is pressing all around
us.
But while we believe President Grant
is right in favoring the acquisition of San
Domingo upon general principles, we
think it would be mistake to press it
now. 1t is unquestionably true that the
feeling of the people is adverse to annexa-
tion. The republican party is divided
upon it. The reports which have been
put in circulation in relation to the course
of the administration, however false,
have had their effect 1t is viewed in
anything but a fair light. Its considered
more as scheme for plumber and an out
rage upon the people concerned than
measure for the national advantage The
displacement of Mr. Sumner made mat
tiers worse. The report of the Commits
sioners will remove great deal OF I'M
founded prejudice and give the people
fair idea of the question, but ii will take
time to correct their impressions and
bring them to view it candidly. Were it
pressed now the better cause might suf-
Ter and the worse triumph. Better aban-
don it altogether than make it an instru-
ment to weaken and divide the republi-
can party at this day when unity and har-
mony are so necessary to its success and
the prosperity Of the country. st. Domin-
go can and must wait for more fayora-
BILE opportunity to Join us. Let the Presi-
Dent trust the people in this matter. Let
him listen to their voice and forbear to
urge action which they do not apnrove
lie will show wisdom in yielding thouob
he helieyps hinnsalf ,;.rht III . - E.