Connecticut western news., 1873-02-21
SantO Domingo.

OCdu1A4ul duSl DOuub0OuS OI all the islands of the Western Main on "The Cradle of the New World" Here his sovereign, whose gloriss would eclipse all the splendors of the East The hope was not extravagant. Go- where has Nature been more lavish of her gifts. A mild and salubrious eli mate, soil which produces spontane. ously richer harvests than are forced by skillful husbandry in other lands, ricl in the precious ores, the island seemed designed to be the abode of happiness and prosperity. At the time of it's dis covery it was inhabited by peaceful, docile race, naturally indolent, but, when reused, capable of energetic ac- tion, who might have been educated by just treatment to take their place among civilized peoples.
 The rapacity and cruelty of the inva- ders prevented the realization of these lofty hopes. Years of bloodshed and oppression crushed the native race out of existence. The second century after the discovery of the island had scarcely begun when the last of them disap- peared. The conquerors thought only of present gain. Their policy was to squeeze as much as possible for them selves out of the island, leaving poster ity to shift for itself. Wars and revo- lut1ons lent their a1d in the work of desolation, and made the "Paradise of the New World" pandemonium of cruelty and hideous wrong. So far from reaching the splendid development which Columbus hoped for it, the isl and is at this day almost as backward in the arts of civilization and peace as it was when the harmless race of savages, less savage than their conquerors, idled away their aimless lives under it's genial skies. It's fertile plains lie untilled. Its rich mines withhold their wealth. There is not blow on the whole island, and the only steam-engine ever erected there was destroyed by the Spaniardsin 1865. Immense forests of mahogany and other precious woods sink, unused, to decay.
 An idle, thriftless population, debased by superstition and ignorance, encum- Der the soil they know not how nor care ! to cultivate. Yet the island itself is still paradise. Nowhere in the world is to be found more delicious climate, more beautiful landscapes, more bounteous soil; and now that American enterprise has been directed thither, the dreams of the Grand Admiral may yet be realized. Though lying within a weeks voyage from New York, its de- plorable condition has kept it an almost unknown country; and when, in 1871, the United States Commissioners went down to ascertain the sentiment of the people with regard to annexation, and report upon the capabilities of the isl | Io 4o covered the island.
 Coasting along the shores where Co., lumbus found populous villages, cor respondent saw but scanty signs of human activity Luxurious forests rise between the sea-shore and the mountain ranges which divide the island. The magnificent bay of Samana, at the east ern end, presents scenes of marvellous tropical beauty, but of comparative sol itude. The old city of Santo Domingo, one of the earliest European settle ments in the New World, stands on the shore of this bay. Here is the grand old cathedral, where the bones of Co., lumbus rested for more than two cen- turies; the massive walls built by Ovan- do; the ruins of the house erected by Diego Columbus, the admirals son; and a curious well, constructed by his brother Bartolome. It is place which, in it's decay, brings back the memory of many stirring episode in the history of Spanish conquest, and there is cer- tainly no place in the New World of greater interest. In it's fallen state it retains its unrivaled beauty; but long years of diversity and revolution have impoverished the old city, killing all enterprise, and destroying all sense of security.
 The correspondents account of the Vega Real, or Royal Plain, lying be- tween the two mountain ranges which traverse the island from end to end, reads like the description of some en- chanted valley. The name was given to | 1t by Columbus, who was enraptured with the glorious view that burst upon him on reaching the summit of the San- to Cerro, or Sacred Hill. In this plain is the principal agricultural wealth of the island; here is grown the great crop of tobacco which finds market in Hamburg; here are the rich cocoa plan tations; and here are the largest and most thriving towns-Cotrey, La Vega, and Santiago. Here, too, is the centre of the mining interest, gold and iron being found in the neighboring noun tains.
 From the Dominican part of the isl- and the correspondent proceeded to the western division, occupied by the negro republic of Hayti. This end of the magnificent island is in far worse con- dition than the eastern. All the signs of the old French civilization are disap- bearing. There are no manufactures, the government is bankrupt, tho roads and bridges are falling into decay, the towns are in ruins, and the men are liv- ing on the industry of the women. Yet the climate and the soil are favorable to the most abundant culture of tropical productions. Tobacco, cotton, sugar cane, and coffee might be grown in abundance; but the indolent population, easily satisfied, are content to subsist on tAe spontaneous gifts of the glorious climate. Where the orange, the ban ana, the cocoa-nut, the plantain, grow of their own accord the natives have lit tie incentive to labor.
 The island once supported popula- tion estimated at half a million; it could sustain upward of two millions in com. fort and plenty; but civil turmeils, misgovernment,a and all the evils arising from degraded state of religion and education have conspired against pro. gress and development in every form. The towns are decaying. The fertile lands lie waste. Huts in every state o1 dilapidation bespeak the character o1 the people. Except in the towns, wheeled vehicles are unknown, and produce is carried to market on mules and donkeys. Yet in no country in the world does nature bestow her gifts with more lavish hand. There every thing fourishes as if it loved to grow. See the luxuriance of forest growths there, and think what wisely directed enter prise and capital might do in country where the soil and climate are so propi- tious! The new Samana Bay Company