Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-03-01
SantO Domingo,

as the board " have approved, very few
have since had occasion to " frame to pro-
nounce . this old Castilian christening of
the first discovered land of the " New
World and it comes back to US now, with
that musty flavor of forgotten or over-kept
sweet meats, brought out from their damp
recess on some sudden and unexpected estate
occasion" The correspondents that accom-
panied the commission on their tour of in
terviewing and observation, have not been
idle, notwithstanding the enervating effects
of the climate upon the thicker blood of
coDgealing ATTITUDES, and the columns of the
large dGifes that had their " specials " on
board the Tennessee, are being hard pressed
to make room for the rapidly accommodating
installments from prolific pens.
We publish in another column few ex-
tracts from the first letters received, giving
- first Impressions from which the reader
can draw his own conclusions. 1t is enough,
perhaps, to give an idea of the - strange
bed-fellows - with which the commission
have become - acquaint," and to which it
is already intimated they will ask us all to
be introduced That the commission are
. hard at work, as reported by the good
natured correspondents that accompany them,
there can be no doubt, but Of their doings,
there will be a time for detail when their
work is accomplished. A grouping must
suffice for the present And if sitting here
in early spring time, in latitude Aid, I'm,
with the winds of March - Allowing" we
fail to catch the rose-tints so readily discov-
cred by those whose business it is to place
their cameras where the brightest sunshine,
and only subdued shadows, will pass athwart
their vision, it must not be attributed to any
unnatural prejudice against a land where
% the heavens are eloudless,' % the deep
green vegetation sways gently in the languid
and odorous air., and the correspondent
% swings 10 his hammock" Speaking of
the drowsy Incidence that prevails in the
streets Of the capital, where nothing that is
the work Of human hands looks less than
two hundred years old, one writer says
The prosperous-looking tradesmen saunter
by under the wIde-spreading red umbrellas
that surround them with a rose colored at
mospherc." Perhaps the expedition did not
overlook these essentials to comfort In it's
outfit, and that every correspondent is sup
piled with one, under which he writes his
messages to send home. But to speak dis
respectful of the commission or any of its
attaches would be to " speak disrespectful of
the equator and we have no desire to do
either; but, (if the expression is not entire
" worn Out) you know how 1t is, your
self
The reports, which we are bound TO credit
are, that the large majority of the inhabi-
tants that appear before the commission are
in favor Of a change. All of the commits
sioners, however, admit the existence of a
decided minority against it. There are COM
pIications which were unknown and not ia
ken into the account when the commission
sailed, which are said to have changed the
plans with regard to returning. The capt.
tai of Hayti is to be visited with aview to faith
ON the cause Of disaffection between that gov
eminent and San Domingo, which is regarded
as grave matter in coming to a conclusion
on the question Of annexation. The com
mission has had a long interview with a
priest of high rank, sent out from Rome to
examine the title of the church to many ex-
tensive ruins Of converts, chapels, colleges,
and other church buildings, and the grounds
upon which they stand. tie informed them
that the Pope despatched him nearly year
ago, and Immediately upon learning the in
tentions Of the United States in regard to
the island, he wished the commission to
know the number and extent of the claims
which could be insisted upon by the church
in case of annexation, so that there might
be no future misunderstanding. The titles
TO all the property in-question are in dispute
under former negotiations.
Thus it would seem there are other bulls
abroad besides the one which carried The
Hon. Commissioner, John Gilpin like, safel,
on his back. How much there will be lief
of estate, either real or personal, after thu
Church Of Rome has made out it's claim
may be inferred from it's well known capaci
ty for absorption. Like all old Spanish
Catholic countries, q" church ruins - are tn
principal production, over which the Pop
still extends fatherly care. The people ar
religious in a way which usually prevail
among ignorant, superstitious inhabitants Q
tropical countries a French writer has de
fined IL in these words
They have no idea of religion beyon
the priests and images, to each of which the
ascribe a magical virtue in themselves
mingling with the outward profession Of tn
Christian faith worship which is pure lido
airy"
And the correspondent Of the Tribune says
q" better description could not be given
their condition today
That it is a Castle Of Incidence " tina
We are holding out our hands for, with a
the attendant vices pertaining thereto, the1
is no attempt to disguise. But intempel
ance is not one of them, for with rum &
from twenty-five cents to one dollar per ga
Ion and good brandy at ten or twelve dollar
per dozen, the native does not indulge to an
extent. But there are enough other vice
limited at, and some of them loathson
enough to compensate for this one, so prom
inent in more civilized countries Whate
CT correspondents may say that is extrav
giant in relation to the salubrious climate al
productive soil of the island, they give
nearly the naked truth in speaking of Il
inhabitants
1t is determined by the commission not
send home any report, but wait till their 7
turn, which event has been set down for t
middle of April, before they make any o.
cial communication. In the meantime the
Will be any amount of unofficial colori
Il