Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-10-04
II PL.fF.N TILE.


Mr.. Henry b. Blackwell, who accom-
panied the San Domingo Commission, has
written TO the Boston AdUertiser an ad-
mirably clear and concise history of the
whole expedition in reply 10 the charges on
Mr.. Sumner. Mr.. Sumner cites the COM
duct of the Administration not only as II
direct violation of international law, but as
especially insulting to the colored republic
of Hayti. But no one who has read care
fully Mr.. Summers speeches upon the sub
ject can help wondering at his exclusive
sympathy for the powerful colored ropub-
lie upon the island as against its weaker
ncighbor colorcd republic. The republic
of the eastern part of the island, that of San
Domingo, is no less a republic than that OF
the western shore, Hayti. And from the
earliest history eastern San Domingo has
been constantly assaled and harassed and
subduod by the liercer people of the west.
In this century, from the expeditions of
Dessalnes down to the occupation under
Boyer, the sympathies of every philanthro-
pist and lover of fair play would seem to
be irresistibly drawn to the more peaceful
and the weaker republic. But for some
reason Mr.. Sumner has apparently tolera-
ted, if not justified, in the conduct of Hayti
toward the Dominicans what lie has most
severely condemned in what he alleges to
be the conduct of the United States toward
Hayti.
We were at one time inclined to think
the action of the Administration in send
ing ships into the waters of San Domingo
was, at least, questionable. Mr.. Schurz
says that TO re-elect the President after
such conduct is TO condone the most fla
grant and perilous violation of the Consti-
tuition, and TO invite despotism. That is an
extravaganza at which man can only
smile. For never was anything more
frank and fair than the position of the
President upon the whole subject. In
deed, nothing has commended him to the
confidence of the country more than his
entire candor upon this question. For the
satisfactory truth about the ships is told by
Mr.. Blackwell. The Dominic IN republic,
helpless and hopeless under the perpetual
aggresslons of Hayt, proposed annexation
to the United States upon condition of our
assumption of its debt, which was about IA
| million and half of dollars. The Pres-
dent, who not At nrst Inclined 1.-the
project, at last sent confidential and hon
orable agent 10 ascertain the precise facts.
Satisfied with the inquiry, a treaty was
| prepared and submitted TO the Senate. But
as soon as Hayti knew that negotiation
was pending, she prepared TO invade her
neighbor, undoubtedly instigaied by Eu-
ropean influence.
The Government of IIayti had an armed
steamer; that of the Dominican republic
had two small schooners, which could do
| nothing to protect the ports and the capital
| from bombardment. In this extremity,
| Congress not being in session, the Domini-
can Government appealed to us for protec-
| tion. The Executive thereupon notified
| IIayti that treaty ofannexation was pend
| ing, and that until the Senate had acted an
invasion of the Dominican republic by any
foreign power would be regarded as an act
| unlriendly TO the United States. AS an
earnest of cur intention to prevent any
| harm TO that republic growing out of the
negotiation, ships of war were sent to the
island, with instructions 10 oppose by force
any hostile attempt from Hayti. No Amer
lean interference was offered in the affairs
of either republic beyond this plain evil
dence OF determination that the Dominican
should not suffer because il wished to be
annexed to the United States Not shot
was fired, nor was the Dominican Govern
mentor "the usurper Baez," as Mr.. Sum
ner prefers 10 call it, and with how little
reason the report of the commissioners
shows-"upheld" by our fleet.
The explanation is entirely satisfactory
and the total failure of Mr.. Sumner and
Mr.. Schurz to persuade this country thai
its liberties are in danger from President
who would do what General Grant did
merely shows the quiet good sense of III,