Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-04-13


ascertain President Baez has the respect of great
majority of the Dominican people for his admins
many leading men, who regard him as the only
statesman among them who can hold them to-
gether against domestic factions and foreign foes.
In 1S4S, after five years of anarchy, consequent on
the expulsion of the Haytien power, Gen. Baez
was regularly elected President OF the republic.
his education, fortune and public services would
be most likely to secure general confidence and
heal the wounds inflicted by the civil and foreign
wars. In one of the delegations of leading citi-
zens who rendered to him the Chief Magistracy,
was Gen. Cabral. There is credible testimony to
the fact that, under him, despite the difficulties
that have beset him, the republic has enjoyed
much liberty as any of his predecessors dared to
allow, and more tranquility than they knew how
to give. Nor do the Commissioners find that there
is any opponent of the present administration of
that republic who has now, or who ever has had,
any claim to the Chief Magistracy by title su-
perior to that of the present incumbent What
ever technical defects there might have been in his
original title to the office, it was confirmed by
national convention and ratified by the assent and
support of the people.
The frequency of civil commotion during a long
period, and the consequent insecurity of property
have paralyzed industry, discouraged accumula-
ton, and impoverished the country that for the
last two years the financial resources of the gov
ernment, its officers informed us, have been in
adequate to pay expenses.
THE INsURRECTIONS
which still exist are headed by Cabral and Lupe-
ron. The former of these is universally conceded
to be the more important, but neither has dis
tinct flag or a regularly organized army. The
Commission found that Cabral does not claim to
be the legal head of the republic; that he does
not claim to represent the principal constitutional
or legal authority, and this is shown by the fact
that in his proclamation and in q communication
to the commission he styles himself chief of the
revolution, and journal pretending to emanate
from him at San Juan, but well understood to be
printed at the Hayten capital, is STYLED the Butl
tin Of the RecoLution. AS to Luperon, the testi-
mony both at Cibro and on the coast is that he is
simply bandit, stained with crimes. He has not,
SO far could be learned distinguished himself in
any regular manner, his main exploits being in
sundry robberies and piratical operations on the
coast, the latter by means of a steamer furnished
him by insurrection brokers on neighboring
island. The disturbance of which Cabral is the
head has its seat in the western part of the repub
lie, on the Haytien frontier Tbet orce immediate
ly at Cabral's command does not exceed few
hundred men, who, in case of emergency, force
into their service all the male population upon
whom they can lay their hands. 1t has been
part of Barohona, and received supplies through
it, but this certainly is no longer the case. On
the other hand it is charged by the pres
received supplies through Hayti and that Haytien
soldiers and arms have been at his disposal, The
Commissioners obtained evidence of this fact from
many sources. They also examined Haytien pris-
oners speaking only the language of Haytiens,
and having in their hands muskets bearing the
had the revolutionists welded only their own
forces and resources, they would long ago have
been put down. Their whole importance is de-
rived from the help of foreign ntriuers, and from
the fact that behind them stands the Haytien ma
ton, which has nearly three times the population
and revenue of the Dominican Republic, and
which mas never relented in its aggressive policy,
and at whose head is President elevated by
bloody insurrection, involving the murder of his
causes aggravate the difficulties of the Dominican
Republic. Among them are provincial jealousies
between the north and south sides of the island,
the number OF military chiefs heading small clans
in various districts, and the convenience neighbor
ly islands afford for revolutionist and insurrec-
tionary operations. All these difficulties the Com
haII lIlQ n1l6 fh0
Dominican Republic be effectually protected by
connection with strong nation. The local self
government of the island has been greatly OBJ
structed BY internal difficulties and disturbances
yet many town councils still preserve an efficient
existence, and are composed of members of good
character and ability.
THE SPANISH OCCUPATION
of the island in 1861 is found to have been con-
summated by fraud, and to have been most unsat-
igious threatening danger to the Masonic frater-
nity-a large and influential order in the island
and the re-establishment of slavery, either by i'm
portation or the reduction of the inhabitants to
bondage The people revolted and drove the
Spanish into the stronghold on the coast, where
the soldiers died by wholesale of malignant fevers
engendered in the close and filthy barracks, de-
void of all sanitary appliances. Of the Spanish
losses, no exact data could be obtained. The best
opinion seemed to be that the Spanards sent in all
about $4,000 troops, of whom between 5000 and
5000 were lost by desertion and other causes. Al
though bitterly disappointed in the results of the
Spanish annexation, the people, who were soon in
volved in revolutions cease not to look abroad
in the hope of relief.
THE QUESTION OF ANNEXATION.
To the surprise of the Commission, in almost all
parts of the country, even the remOtest, the peO
pie were found to be familiar with the question OF
annexation to the United States and have discussed
it among themselves with intelligence. All classes
In all parts of the republic, were consulted magis
trates and ecclesastics of every grade; official
CIVIL and military citizens; all professions and &C.
cupations; in town and country, and everywhere
there was general agreement in the declaration
that their only hope of permanent peace and pros
perity in annexation to and becoming part of the
people of the United States. They generally de
clare their belief that the strong arm of this re-
public, in taking them under its protection as a
part of the nation, would at once end the efforts
and hopes of every seditious revolutionary leader
and establish law, order, and prosperity.
The Incorporation into the public sentiment OF
feeling strongly favorable to annexation to the
United States in preference to any other power,
partially due to the presence in various parts Of
small colonies of colored people formerly from
The Commissioners entirely discredit the reports
that annexation would be resisted by desperate
measures in any part of the island, and cite a
length their own experience, and their entire i'm
munity from harm of every kind while on the
island as evidence of the correctness of their con
clusion.
THE PEOPLE OF SAN DOMINGO
are of mixed blood, honest, temperate, inoffen
sive destitute of prejudice of race or color: pau
persm, beggary and high crimes being practicall,
unknown. Among the popular vices is petty
gamblir G, extensively indulged in by the Spanish
portion of the population. All are Roman Cath
| Methodists and Baptsts, though no intolerance o.
religious persecution can be discovered Thepeo
pie generally own land which they cultivate, al
though agricultural operations are limited by iacl
of market and frequent political disturbances
| though the Dominicans are not averse to work
when sure of reasonable reward Labor is il
| abundant supply at $40 or less a month. Few
schools exist, and the people generally are unedu
Gated, though the Commissioners believe oppor
| tun1f1es for education would be eagerly improved
| the Dominicans being possessed Of pfoverbia
shreWdness and ability: Only one small and poor
ly equipped printing office exists in the Republic
The general political capacity of the people ]
| regarded favorably. there having been for year
neither slavery nor caste spirit to deprive them G
their manliness. The courage and devotio
wasted in insurrection abundantly prove their ca
pacity for self-government and regular politica
action. The Commissioners estimate the actus
population of the Republic at 10000, more tha
nineteen twentieths being native Dominicanf
White blood preponderates largely, majority be
ing much nearer white than black
| THE RESOURCES THE COUNTRY
| are vast and various and its products may be il
creased with scarcely any other limit than the Ii
Dor expended upon them. There is evidence {
mineral wealth in several parts of the island. Tb
geologists expedition reports the existence Of ore
OF iron, copper and gold, with deposits of lignit,
easy access, and will doubtless be made availabl
for the cheap production of pig iron. The coppe
ores are OF fair degree of richness, and leads hav
been opened to slight extent. The reporte
coal on Samana Peninsula and in the neighbo
hood of Puerto Prata was examined, and found t
be Ignite, of little value as fuel compared wit
extensive, and though worked ancfently is,
present, but little known. 1t invitesIpatient e.
ploration by practical miners. The salt deposit
IN the mountains near Nebay are believed to be e.
tenslve and valuable. The salt can be quarrie
out in large transparent blocks, and chemic,
analysis made for the Commissioners shows it I
/ be of sufficient purity for commercial purposes
Summarily and practically reviewed, for agricu
tural purposes, there are five classes of lands
SantO Domingo, viz:
1. Mountain slopes and valleys. These are un
formly rich and productive, except in lmite
regions where the rain is deficient, as on til
Monte Christi.
2. The extensive region of Llanos lying east ar
north of San Domingo City, south of the Glib
range. This is all admirable pasture land
large portion of it is capable of profitable GUILTY.
non 1t is intersected by wooded valleys, al
groves containing much excellent timber
8. The rolling plain of Vega, which is general
wooded, and is the finest body of agricultur
ground on the island
A. The Daglands, like portion of the plain
Azua and the valley of the Yagin, where rain
partly or wholly wanting, from Topographic
causes. These lands can be made fertile by ar
fetal irrigation.
5. The red clay lands, mostly along the coas
covered by coralline limestone. These are who'll
covered with timber. They are not general
very rich or deep, but susceptible of profitab
cultivation. The vicinity of San Domingo City
fair average specimen of this class of sol