Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-01-23
THE RUTLAND HERALD
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1s, 1872.
smnto Domingo.


Santo Domingo is again prominently
presented to the public view, and the
question Of its future political status and
relations is an interesting one. Surely
time is memorable in its judgments, but
it rarely happens that its verdict is rem
dered as speedily as in this case Oh oahto
Domingo. The message OF President
Grant, in communicating the report OF
the Santo Domingo commissioners, April
5th, 1871, is nearly fulfilled prophecy.
Said he, 'My duty being done, yours be-
gins; and gladly hand over the whole
matter to the judgment of the American
people and of their representatives in
Congress assembled. The facts will now
be spread before the country, and a de-
cision rendered by that tribunal whose
convictions so rarely err, and against
whose will have no policy to enfore.
My opinion remains hanged-indeed,
1t is confirmed by the report-that the
interests of the country and San Domin
go alike invite the annexation of that
republic. Let us rapidly glance at this
matter and its present and undoubted
results, and see how the matter stands.
Soon after the Inauguration of General
Grant, he was visited by an agent of
President Baez, with a proposition for
the annexation of San Domingo. Prior
to that time, however, the absolute
necessity for a naval station in the West
Indies was known, understood and &C
knowledged by the entire people of the
country The necessities of our naval
service rendered such a station an abso-
lutte requisite. Secretary Seward, to
meet this acknowledged want, had near
ly, if not quite, completed negotiations
for the purchase of st. Thomas island,
when a terrible hurricane almost entirely
devastated the island, destroying the
shipping in the harbor. This, naturally,
ended all thought of that island The
want had not been supplied, when Gen
eral Grant received the proposition of
BaeZ, accompanied with the assurance
that the inhabitants were anxious for
annexation. In our judgment, he would
have been derelict to his duty had he re-
fused to act thereupon. He, therefore,
appointed an agent who, by the way,
was Nermonter, to repair to the island,
and examine, for himself, and ascertain
all the facts about the people, the gov
eminent and the resources of the island
and, particularly, in reference to the
public sentiment on the question of an
nexation. The agent went there unbiased
In the matter, and, after examination,
reported favorably upon all the points
involved. A treaty of annexation was
negotiated and rejected. A commission,
composed of some of our wisest and pur-
est statesmen and philanthropists, were,
also, appointed, visited the island, and
reported in favor of annexation. How
were these measures received? 1t is q
matter of history that the greatest howl
of opposition, the country ever knew,
assailed General Grant from all quarters.
The New York Tribune, the World and
other Democratic and Liberal newspa-
pers joining in the cry. These facts are
probably known to all, but it is proper
to recall them now as part of the his
tory Of the subject. How stands the
matter now? A company OF capitalists
of New York, composed largely, it is
understood, of Democrats, have been,
for some time, in negotiations with Pres
ident Baez, for the purchase of the Bay
of SANTANA and the country adjacent
thereto The negotiations have been
successful and the bay of SANTANA and
the chief harbor of San Domingo has
been transferred to this company, known
as the ''Samana Bay Company of Santo
Domingo Nor is this all The abso-
Lutte sovereignty of nearly the entire
island is transferred to them. Further
more, the proposed treaty negotiated by
direction of General Grant is referred to
in the final transfer, and the company
are confirmed in all the rights, powers
and privileges granted to the United
States by said treaty. Now does any
sane man doubt for moment that these
shrewd capitalists have an eye to annex
alton to the United States, and that
speedily? Was there ever an enterprise
of this nature, or one looking to the set
Element, development and improvement
of neighboring territory, State or coun-
try, made except with the expectation
of annexation? Indeed it is conceded
that such will be the result. Now how
is the enterprise met ? We find she
World, Tribune and papers of that
Xix heartily endorsing the whole
scheme. They indeed grow enthusiastic
over it. TIE only difference in the case
Is that private enterprise viii accomplish
that which the far-seelng policy of Gen
eral Grant planned for the country.
Santo Domingo and annexation win now
be their cry, and with it they vindicate
General Grant and give the complete
and perfect retutation to all their charges
and insinuations against him. Thus one
after another are the scandals and pro-
fessed policy of the opposition being ex-
posed and laid aside. We shall all be of
one accord soon. What next ?
DESTRUCTION OF THE STEAMSHIP ERIE.
The steamship Erie, reported destroy
ed by fire off PerpambucO on the Ist of