The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-07
Report OF the st. Domingo Commission
and the Presidenps Message.

4
might have appeared to him to give up an OBJ
ject he had been so intent upon and pushed so
earnestly, he has had the good sense to yield
to public opinion and to leave the st. Do
mingo business to the American people.
General Grant never did anything more sensi-
BILE or in more graceful manner. True, he
says In the message he sent to Congress
accompanying the report Of the Commissioners,
that his views are not changed, and that he
still considers st. Domingo a desirable acqui-
sition. He could not say less than this, espe
cially as the Commission appears to entertain
the same opinion. We will give him credit
even for being honest in his expressions, while,
at the same time, we think he is short
sighted, does not understand the question
thoroughly in all its bearings and is influenced
by his prejudices. But in making this con-
cesson to public opinion, which many did not
think him capable of, he shows his wisdom.
He recommends Congress not to act upon the
st. Domingo question at present, and that, no
doubt, will be the end of it, for, notwith-
standing the rose-colored and one-sided report
of the Commissioners, the more it is discussed
the less favorably will it be regarded by the
people.
| The report of the Commissioners does not
touch the important topics bearing upon the
question Of annexation, and does not directly
recommend annexation, though the whole
tone is favorable to that. Indeed, the ques-
ton was decided before the report was
submitted. The press had thoroughly venti-
lated it and public opinion was formed. As
Grant of being interested in land jobs or
other jobs in St. Domingo 60, both the
Commission and the gentlemen of the
press who accompanied it vindicate
him. There was no evidence to show
that he was interested, directly or indirectly,
in any jobs, and whatever suspicion there may
be that those near him and others who have
urged annexation have interests in the stupen-
| dous Fabens, or st. Domingo land job, or
other jobs, there is nothing to show that his
hands are not clean. He may have been de-
ceived and influenced by those having his
confidence, but has acted honestly himself
No doubt the President thought the annextion
scheme would be q good political move, as
well as advantageous to the country, and to
work for it on that ground was fair enough.
Rulers and political parties are in the habit of
resorting to such measures to acquire popu-
larity and to strengthen themselves. He made
mistake, undoubtedly, for there never were
the elements of popularity in st. Domingo
still, it is not likely to prove SO serious now
that he gracefully gives up the scheme, out of
Difference to public opinion.
The st. Domingo Commissioners, as we said
have not touched in their report the most i'm
portant topics relative to annexation. One Of
these is the policy Of uniting to ourselves and
bringing into our social and political life an
alien people-a population of negroes and
mulattoes which does not speak our language,
which has not the same ideas, habits, reli-
gion, or anything in common with us, and
which is in semi-barbarous condition. The
Commissioners admit that the people of st.
Domingo are in the most abject condition, and
that there is no industry in the country; yet
from sympathy o. pity they would bring them
into our civilized American family, without
considering the effect upon ourselves. Where
the Commissioners do touch upon this ques
their statements are colored to suit their pre-
determined purpose and the administration at
Washington. For instance, they say there are
few of the African negro stock in St. Domingo,
when every one who accompanied the Com
mission or who has been in that country knows
that the majority are blacks of the African
race, and that nearly all the rest are
of mixed negro blood. From the cum
ming wording OF the report people might
get the impression that a considerable
number of the population are white but, in
fact, there are very few-hardly one in a
thousand-of pure white natives in ST.
Domingo The Commissioners had strong
radical administration spectacles on when they
looked at the dominicans. In no way is it a
desirable population to incorporate with our
own.
Then the Commissioners speak in glowing
Of the country. Admitting all they say on
this head to be true, what is the value of the
soil or that which it produces naturally with
out labor? Nearly all tropical countries have
. rich soil, particularly where there is plenty
of rain, and st. Domingo is fully as rich as any
of them, but 1t requires labor to make them
valuable. Where is this to be obtained? 1t
is not in st. Domingo. The whole population
does not exceed hundred and thirty thousand,
and it is very doubtful if any considerable por-
ton of this would be brought to habits of
industry 1t is simply absurd to talk
Of white people Of the European or
American stock tling the soil in the
tropics. They might work as traders, over
seers or as mechanics under cover, but
| white s,eope never did aud never were