The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-04-26
Grants San Domingo Message.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

MS ihttHutl Dl uolHS IL, Uehefai Grant
abandons his pet project, and promises
not to advocate it any further. He
asks Congress to take no other action
on the report this session than merely
to print it for distribution among the
people. Before Congress meets again
IN December, Baez will have been flung
out OF power, and there will be no
longer any basis of action. General
Grant is not likely to negotiate new
treaty with the successor of Bacz, and
the Senate cannot ratify treaty that
will not be made. AS for joint reso-
luton, Congress will not think of it
unless the President should again force
the subject upon their attention, and
he has got his fingers too badly burnt
this time to pick mp the same hot
poker again. So this Wanted project
of annexing San Domingo ends in the
triumph of Sumner and the undigni-
lied retreat of General Grant.-[New
York World, Democrat.
The message with which President
Grant accompanies this report is the
most important document OF the batch.
1t is, in few words, manly soldier
like review of his action in the St.
Domingo matter; plain. straight
forward history of his efforts to annex
the island, and a firm disavowal of any
intention to enforce his policy in the
matter against the will Of the peo-
ple.-[New York Herald, Independent.
If the calumnies circulated with so
much virulencc have ever changed the
belief of any honest citizen in the puri-
ty of motive and integrity of conduct
on the part OF the President, the terms
OF this message must re-estabiish it.
| New York Times, Republican.
The President transmits the report
of Commissioners Wade, Howe and
White on San Domingo, accom-
panied by brief message clearly ex-
planning the motives which impelled
him to negotiate the treaty and subse-
quently to urge the investigation just
concluded. These explanations were
not demanded; even the persistent
efforts to misrepresent the personal
motives influencing the President and
his agents in the negotiation did not
render explanation necessary. And
yet the message will be heartily well
coined as showing how trivial were
the foundations for reports and accusa-
tons which unquestionably affected
for brief time-how happily ended,
we trust-the morale and efficiency of
the Republican party. The message
is plain tail, which will put to rest
many malicious stories.-[New York
Tribune, Republican.
The document 10 not a strong one
when considered purely as a State
paper; it must be read rather as the
explanation of Il certain course of con-
duct pursued by steward whose mo-
tives have been impugned and whose
snbordinates have been maligned.-
The President is not only determined
that he shall not be misunderstood,
but that those to whom he entrusted
grave duties shall not he treated with
injustice. In all this there is great
directness and manly regard for
equitable dealing and the sanctity of
good fame, which no one, we think,
will fail to recognize and respect.
-[Philadelphia Inquirer, Republican.
The catchpenny suggestion at this
late day, when compelled to beat a
humiliating retreat, of deferring to
public opinion on this subject, will not
mislead even the most stupid Radicals.
There never was an hour when any
respectable opinion asked for the con-
summation of this job. Not a single
public meeting was ever held in favor
OF it, notwithstanding the immense
power and patronage of the Admins
tration. But, if the President was
disposed to yield to public sentiment,
which found such decided utterances,
through the public press, why did he
persist in pursuing it after the Senate
had emphatically rejected the treaty I
F He attempted to coerce the majority
there, and, as everybody knows, the
Commission was contrived as means
of strengthening bis hands. And
nothing but the great reaction in the
| public mind which threatened to sweep
+ over the country like q whirlwind,
compelled him to abandon a policy
which was, and is still, cherished more
} fondly than any other measure of his
, administration. This backout is not a
r concession by the President. 1t is 9
surrender reluctantly extorted from
, him. Washington Patriot, Democrat
General Grant yesterday transmit.
ted to the Senate the report of the San
Domingo Commission, with sugges
ton or recommendation that no actor
be had upon the same this session.
The determined opposition of few
men in the Senate, and portion O
, the press of the country, prevented the
contamination of monstrous wrong
upon the nation. 1t was doubtless, the
intention of General Grant to force This
Q job through the Senate before an ad
f journment. He and his hackers feared
, to allow all tho facts to be spread be-
: fore the people. But these facts arr
y before the masses, and they repudiat'
the whole scheme. They defeated TIN
/. Radical party in New Hampshire upol
t this issue, and would have acted in til,
o same manner in Connecticut if non,
y but white men had voted. These in
+. dications have induced General Gran
to "halt." He will not urge tho Sen
ate to disregard still further the will 0
). the people. IF the whole matter j
: sent over until next fall, the chance
q are that Baez will be fugitive. from
= justice, and the annexation party il
San Domingo a thing of the past
y Philadelphia Age, Democrat.
u 1t is plain statement of fact AM
f motive that will challenge and obtai
r credcnce wherever it is read. As
L. e Al,