The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-04-13

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Under those circumstances deemed it
iue to the Office which I hold, and due
10 the character of the agents wLo had
been charged with the investigation, that
such PROCEEDINGS should be had as would
enable people to know the truth. A COM
mission was therefore constituted, under
the authority of Congress, consisting of
gentlemen selected in special reference
to their high character and capacity for
the laborious work intrusted to them, who
were instructed to visit the spot and re-
port upon the facts. Other eminent citi-
Zens were requested to accompany the
commission In order that the people
might have the benefit Of their views.
Students of science and correspondents Of
the press, without regard to the political
opinions, were invited to join the expedi-
ton, and their numbers were only limited
by the capacity of the vessel.
The mere rejection by the Senate of a
treaty negotiated by the President, only
indicates difference of opinion in the
different branches of the government,
without touching the character or wound
ing the pride of either But when such
a rejection takes place simultaneously
with charges openly made of corruption
on the part of the President or those en-
ployed by him, the case is different. In
deed, in such case, the honor Of the ma
ton demands an investigation. This has
been accomplished by the report of the
commissioners herewith transmitted,
which fully vindicates the purity of the
motives and action of those who repre-
sented the United States in the negotia.
ton.
And now my task is finished, and with
it ends all my personal solicitude upon
the subject My duty being done, yours
beglss and gladly hand over the whole
matter to the judgment Of the American
people and their representatives. in Con.
gress assembled. The facts will now be
spread before the country and decision
rendered by that tribunal whose convic-
tions so seldom err, and against whose
will have no policy to enforce. My
opinion is unchanged; indeed, it is con
firmed by the report that the interests of
our country and San Domingo alike in
vite the annexation of the republic. In
view of the difference in opinion upon
this subject, | suggest that no action be
taken during the present session beyond
the printing and general dissemination Of
the report Before the next session of
Congress, the people will have consider
ed the subject, and formed an Intelligent
opinion concerning it, to which opinion,
deliberately made up, it will be tho duty
of every department of the government
to give heed and no one will more cheer
fully conform than myself. 1t is not only
the theory of our constitution that the
will of the people constitutionally ex-
pressed is the supreme law, but have
ever believed that oil men are wiser than
one man; and if the people, upon full
representation of the facts, shall decide
that annexation is not desirable, every
denartment of the government ought to-
acquiesce in that decision.
In again submitting to Congress the
subject upon which the public sentiment
has been divided, and which has been
made the occasion of acrimonious debates
in Congress, as we'll as unjust assertions
elsewhere, | may,I trust, be INDUCED in
single remark: No man can hope to per-
form duties SO delicate and responsible as
pertain to the Presidential office without
mourning the hostility of those
ed with insufficient consideration, and he
who undertakes to conduct the affairs of
q great government as faithful public
servant, il sustained by the approval of
his own conscience, may rely with conf
dence upon the candor and intelligence
of free people whose best interests he
has striYen to subserye, and can bear with |
patience the censure of disappointed
men. m u. S.. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, April 5, 1871
s## Au THE REPORT ff JWs
The following is the report of the Com
missioners: sfa aA@
The report opens by giving the fesolu
ticn under which the commission of in
quiry was appointed In accordance
with the resolution, the Commissioners
proceeded TO the island of San Domingo.
They traversed the Dominican republic
from end tG end in several directions,
either by their agents or IN person, one
Commissioner crossing it from south to
north, and another from east to west. |
They spent several weeks at the capital, |
in daily conference with the President
and chief officers of the government, in
examining the official records, and as at
all other places, IN constant intercourse
with the people, and taking the testimony
of witnesses. They visited the vicinity
of the western border of the country, /
where it was reported there were disturb |
ances, and remained week at the cap
ital of the neighboring Republic of
Hayti, where some supplementary investi !
cations were made as to the political
state and condition, and form Of govern /
ment. ~ sQ a&@
Fa THE GOVERNMENT.