New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-04
From the New York independently
President Grant and SantO Do.
nBingO.
by SAMUEL G. HOWE, NJ. D.

hpngO.
BY SAMUEL G. HOWE, NJ. d.
All who care to know anything about so
unimportant a person as myself know that,
when in the Island of Santo Domingo, as
| United States Commissioner, last year, pub
licly announced my purpose to revisit it this
winter, with my family.
No one who enjoys summer and suffers in
winter can catch a glimpse of this miniature
continent and of its varied and rich products,
can breathe its soft, warm air, look upon its
beautiful scenery, taste its tropical fruits, and
battle in its clear water, but must long to see
and enjoy more.
This longing increases when one comes to
know something of its gentle, docile, and
capable people; to learn the sad story of their
oppression under foreign domination to hear
them sigh for an end of contentious between
rival chiefs, and express their inherited and
constant apprehension of invasions by the
blacks of Hayti, always coveting their fair
lands and always lusting for domination of
| the whole island.
| And, finally, when one finds that with rare
unanimity and earnest longing these Domini-
cans look upon annexation to the United
States as a cure for their woes and security
for their prosperity; and when he becomes
convinced that the measure would help the
material interests of both countries, spread
civilization in the surrounding islands, pro-
mote the welfare of Hayti, and hasten the
downfall of slavery in the neighbOring pos
sessions of Spain and Brazil-then one must
desire to help promote such beneticent mea-
sure, unless, indeed, he be hOpelesely blinded
by party spirit.
| l made my preparations for departure
openly, and the omniscient reporter foretold
| the day of sailing before l knew it precisely.
Rmmor said, long ago, that might be sum-
mOned before Senatorial committee to give
evidence in the matter of loan made to the
Dominican Government last summer; and
held myself ready to obey. But days and
weeks passed without any summons.
Finally, few hours before sailing, came
letter from the Capitol, closing thus: g.
hope, in going this week, you are not aware
of the examination the committee is about to
enter upon, when your testimony is expected
with regard to the pretended lease of SANTANA
Bay and the money sent to Baez.
| The object is TO HINT dOlcn this nOney buSt-
ness ; and the Senate has authorized the in
quiry, with power to send for persons and
papers,"
Insinuations never strike straightforward !;
and this one indicates the crab-like movement
of this committee.
Any loyal citizen will cheerfully submit to
| inconvenience III OUculcllCe W Tie call Ol IL
| Senatorial committee, organized for patriotic
purposes; but he naturally revolts at being
trammeled by one got up as this seems to
have been. Conceived in guile and nurtured
by political cunning, it pretends to promote
| justice by hunting down jobs and mearthng
official misdemeanOrs, while really seeking to
hunt down and kill off formidable Presi-
Dental candidate.
1t makes one sad, and almost indignant,
to see once august body Offspring of feu-
dalism and plutOcracy) clinging to its ridcu-
lous secret sessions, and its odiOus STAR
chamber processes, for inquisitorial party
| purposes.
l am ready to tell all those who have a
right to ask me what know of the measures
taken last summer to raise funds for support
ing in power that administration in this island
which represents peace and progress, and
which alone has been able to maintain them
four consecutive years.
The people of the United States have a
right to know what part its supreme EXecu-
tive takes in any international affairs ; and to
them l say, what L should have testified on
oath before the Senatorial committee; that,
to the best of my knowledge and belief, our
| Executive had no part or lot in raising the
loan above alluded to.
1t was fair business transaction of private
| parties, upon their own risk and responsible
ity, into which Congressional committee has
no more right to inquire than into the legit-
mate business of mercantile houses
To send for persons and papers, at public
cost, to pry into such matter, and with such
selfish motives, is an abuse of place and pow
err; and / trust that some of the witnesses
will protest against it, as piece of Senatorial
impertinence.
As to the project of annexation, so far as
l know, President Grant has Loyalty kept the
promise which he gave the people in his
message--to leave the matter in their hands.
1t is lamentable that what should be taken as
a soldiers word of honor is considered by
many as no more binding than the pledge of
a common politician.
As for my humble GRAND, it is not to evade
any duty of loyal citizen.
1t is not political one. / am not author
lied to say one word in behalf of our EXecu-
tive So far as I know, while President Grant
has held steadily to his individual belief that
the project of annexation was wise and good,
he has as steadily refused, in his capacity of
magistrate, to interfere in its behalf
But, although my GRAND is neither politi-
cal nor financial, if l can, by any fair means,
help dispel the errors and the bugbears which
have been purposely held up before our peO-
pie to deter them from ever considering the
great measure of annexation upon its merits,
and to cOnfoumd it in their minds by side is
sues with miserable party interests, shall
do so, without fear or favor, sure of thereby
promoting the national prosperity and the
cause of humanity.
AT Sea, off Santo Domingo, Feb. IL, 1872.
onlanc of tl,aW Won ana. NJ