The New York herald., 1871-02-24

the means for that; but they are swayed undoubt-
edly, by preconceived sentiments mere impress
sions IL Is 10 be expected too, that they VIII lean
to the wishes or President Grant ana the interests
OF their party IN the coorng they give TO the ST. Do
mingo question. Ee1f
RESULT OF THE EVIDENCE TAKEN.
30 iaI, then may say, without loading the col
umns OF the HERALD with mass OF individual
statement, the puiS OF The evidence taken acre. as
Wen as at samana, shows the Domi leans are ~
iavor vi annexation. think, TOO, a. far as !ny M
Tor annexation II would be 81 range were II not so;
Tor annexation, probably, would give peace ana
security, and would lead 70 the improvement OF the
country. surprisingly productive as ST. Domingo
Is there IS desolatiQn, ruin or nature IN ali IT'S wld
exnoerance everywhere. There is scarcely any IN
dustfy or trade, and the people are bowed down ana
demoralzed by constant revolutions ana despotism
There N no hone Tor the people and country out III
VIII become more wretched Il our government does
not come 20 the rescue. Reasoning, then lIoin Tue
nature OF things, AZ Wen as nom wnat near ana
\ see, conciae tbe maofiSy desire annexation.
/ stu / satisfied the OF the people on TINS
| question when The baez government suumuieG IL
uId hot approach that unaniinl1J "iuch was repre-
ANoTagR REASON WHY ANNEXATION IS VOTED FOR.
IN Iact voling u.aer tnis des.olie soVefnment N
some OF tne lew that voted against an
nexauon were directed or permitted to do
so. PROBABLY 10 give an appearance or
fairness The proceeding but others who dared to
rom convection run the risk OF being exiied,
| and, some, understand, nave since suffered that
| penalty their temerity Mr.. Baez does not shed
| blood. lie has chat much humanity in him. But he
mlnican exies al 81 Thomas. Clrasoa ana other
plac IN the West indies show this In forcing this
question Of annexation has been acting no DOUBT
Tor tue interest oil ms country, as we'll as Tor his
interest aad he Is better able to Judge OF what win
promote ehe wen beng OF the people than the mass
Oh the DoMlnicans: Dal that Is an.
other thing. There was no. fair un-
blassed vote OF the people nor OF majority oi them.
THOSE OPPOSED TO ANSEXAffoS.
There are several classes OF those opposed to an.
neAau n. First here are the Cabraisis, and these
make make considerable party. princpalw near the
Hay ten border and IN the mountain region oi the
interior, though they dare Kot SHOW their hands
wherever BaeZ exercises authority. But many OF
these Caoralsts are mol opposed 10 annexation per
Sc and only so IRON nostiilty to Paez and because
they do not wish To see nm reap The honor aud al
vanta2es Of carrying through the project. IL is
known that Cabral himself when in power, was
favorable 10 annexation. This CaDralist opposition
to the scheme Is the most considerable
one. particularly as the Hayuens are united
| with and lend their aid TO it. Then there
IS another element OF opposition in the
foreign merchants and traders including few
Americans, who fooshiy imagine thai their present
| monopoly ol business would be intenerred wltn
should annexation take place. Besides there
eign traders which Is seen everywhere among tle
Antilles. Tue number OF this class, however, Is
very limited especially on this, the south side OF the
island, though ii Is said TO be larger On the norlh
side at Pueita Plata and other places The priests,
for the most part, express no opinion wish on
question of annexation Most OF them have declined
To express Their views even when questioned by
the Commissioners. This was SO with The vicar
General the highest ecciesiastic here. when he was
examined by the ComInl sslonerS the other day To
use commonplace exlression the Catholic clerey
want 10 see how Tie Cat jumps before taking q
stand one way or the other. II is known OF course.
tnat there Is hardly any other religion than the
Catholic Ia ST. Domingo. The few negro Methodlsus
al SANTANA or elsewhere scarcely amount To an ex-
cepuon. A great many Dominicans, especially
among The most Intelligent and ambitious, are on
the fence WIN regard to annexation. They want
see their country and property improved, and
10 ha that peace which the United States
might give, but theY fear being swamped, put OUT
of sight, and their 00ilterated, possibly,
through the occupation OF the country by superior
race. THIS thought or feeling Is by no means un-
common. Amid all the poverty, degradation ana
apparent humility Of this people they nave great
deal OF pride. The poor negroes desire annexation (
most as faf as they understand the matter, and the
mixed race, which constitutes by far the largest
part OF the population, more indifferent are
opposed. except the nigh government officers
aud lew OF the most enlightened Domncan5.
There are very few unmlxed whites IN the country.
DIFFICULT To COME AT THE TRUTH.
AS example or the fear OF people TO express
their opinions wnat they know freely and coRse-
quently the dlinculty the Commission mas TO at
the truth one gentleman, anu ne an American cili-
zen, gave his evidence only on condition that his
name should not appear and tnat there should be no
possible clue left by which the Baez government
could lind out he gave any information. Even when
assured 10y the Commissioners that his name should
his eyes al times anxiously TO the open door OF
the room, when he was answering ques-
lions, lions Or o, making staten statements as he
him. This gentleman has resided q long time IN
this country and Is universally respected for his
character and as one Of the most prominent busi-
men, But he has Interests here, and to protect
these and himself personally he has TO keep MS lips
sealed except when he knows his revelations win
be secret. Such is the tyranny OF this so.called
pUbIlcan government. Men speak Ia whisper
when telling the truth about the Baez government
ana Its conduct on the annexation question, and II
they give any one their confidence 1t IS always with
the request tha what they say may not be dvulged.
IL with most OF the foreigners particularly with
Americans as well as with the DOmlnicans. Indeed,
hardly any OF the Dominicans dare venture to speak
unfayOrabiy OF the government or It's policy. can
understand now the case OF DAVIS Hatch, which was
examined by committee OF our Congress- ana why
wards banished. The conduct OF Generals Babcock
and Ingalls, and OF Fabens and Cazneau, in the
OF this American citizen, was as atroclous as the
tyranny Of the Baez government The people OF our
own Tree republic could scarcely comprehend sucn
the state OF things existing here. IL Is but
fair to say however, III paation OF the conduct Of
Baez, though in that OF BaDcock, ingalls,, Fabens
ana CaZneau, that the Dominican President acted
mine IN tne same same despouc manner taat ms prede.
Of government that has existed all along here.
Republicanism Is farce and political freedom is
NOT known. Perhaps no other native government Is
possible over people SO ignorant and revolution
ary Whether the United States could, in the event
annexation, establish order and educate the peo-
pie TO proper knowledge OF that liberty regulated
by law which we enjoy. is an unsolved question.
II the evidence Of the American gentleman re-
ierred TO, and there is not more respectable man
here, can be relied on 1t Is doubtful II even the
majority OF the people desire annexation He says
they do not, and he has resided IN 81. Domingo
long Lme. de may be prejuJlced and may iavor
more Cabral than Baez but II would be TO his inter-
est to see tho country annexed and his
own government established here He certainly
could have no motive TO throw cold water
on the annexation project. Indeed 1t is reasonable
10 suppose ne would do everything to favor tina t,
snort OF violating his conscience an honest
HIS statement with regard 10 the pretended vote
taken the question OF annexation accords, too,
with wnat have said before and with what learn
from other sources 1t was u forced vote-not free
In any sense, and, In fact, a farce.
Certain foreigners here and some Americans-that
is TO say those VINO are doing business and are in
terested in annexation and hand and glove with the
government-put the best face upon everything con-
nected with tine country, just as the people OF
Sanana did. They declare they are happy and like
the country very much, though they 1--we In the
most God-lorsaken and desoate looking place and
have none OF the enjoyments or facilities
OF their former homes. except few Englishmen,
who always grumble At what is not British and who
are opposed TO any steps the United States may
take to extend their territory power and commerce,
and some others who do not like either the YanKees
or Baez government. According to those who
would profit by annexation, st. Domingo is healthy
and charming everyway. The others are not Will
ing, and, pernap5 are afraid, considering the aD-
svlute despotIsm Of the BaeZ government to ex.
press their opinions. Still lind some ready TO con-