The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-17
SantO Domingo.

III thN AHANllh VI NJAAlkV ny bllG
Grand Admiral of Spain. The most
beautiful, delightful, and bounteous of
all the islands Of tho Western Main on
which his eyes had looked, ii was called
"The Cradle OF the New World" Here
he fondly hoped to found an empire for
his sovereign, whose gloriCs would
eclipse all the splendors Of the East.
The hope was not extravagRnt. No
where has Nature been more lavish OF
her gifts. A mild and salubrious eli.
mate, n soil which produces spontane.
OuSly richer hnrvests thNn arc forced by
skillful husbandry in other lands, rick
in tho precious ores, the island seemed
designed to be the abode Of happiness
and prosperity. At tho time Of its dis.
covefy it was inhabited by peaceful,
docile race, naturally indolent, but,
when reused, capable of energetic nc.
ton, who might have been educated by
Just treatment to take their placoamong
civilized peoples.
Tho rapacity md cruoltyof the inva-
ders prevented the realization of these
lofty hopes. Years of bloodshcd and
oppression crushed tho native race out
Of existence. The second century after
the discovery OF tho island had scarcely
begun when tho last OF them disap-
pcared. The conQuerors thought only
Of present gain. Their policy was to
squeeze as much MS possible for them
selves out Of tho island, leaving poster
ity to shift for itself. Wars and reyo.
lutions lent their nd in tho work Of
desolntion, md made the "Paradise of
the New World" pandemonium OF
cruelty and lideous wrong. So far
from reaching the splendid development
which Columbus hoped for 1t, tho isl
and is at this day almost us bacliwRrlin in
the arts Of civilization aud peace Ms it
was when the harmless rice Of savages,
less savage tlian their conqucrors, idled
away their aimless lives under its genial
skies. It's fertile plains lie untitled.
Its rich mines withhold their wealth.
There is not q pillow on tho whole island,
and the only steRm-engine ever erected
there was destroyed by the SpAniardsin
1866. Immense forests OF mahogany
and other precious woods sink, unused,
to decay.
An idle, thriftless population, debased
by superstition and ignorance, encum-
her the soil they know not how nor caro-
to cultiyatc. Yet the island itself is
still paradise. Nowhere in the world
is to DO found more delicious climate,
more beautiful landscapes, moro
bounteous soil; and now that American
enterprise has been directed tliither, the |
dreams of tho Grand Admiral may yet
be realized. Though lying within n
weeks voyage from New York, its do
plorable condition has kept it OnNlmost
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 tho ISL
and, they may be said to have rcdis-
covered the island.
COasting along tho shores where Co.
lumbus found populous villages, cor.
respondent saw but scanty signs OF
human activity. Luxurious forests rise
between tho sea-shore and the mountain
ranges which divide tho island. The
bay Of Samann, at the east
ern end, presents scenes OF marvellous
tropical beauty, but Of comparative sol
itudc. The old city OF Santo Domingo,
ono OF the earliest European settle
ments in the New World, stands on tho
shore of this bay. Here is the grand
old cathedral, where the bones OF Co.
llmbuB rested for more tliAn two CEN
turtles; tho massive walls built by Ovan-
do; the ruins Of the house erected by
Diego Columbus, tho admiral's son;
and curious well, constructed by his
brother Dnrtolomc. 1t is place which,
in its decay, brings back the memory Of
many stirring episode in the history
OF Spanish conquest, and there is GER
tainly no place in the New World of
greater interest. In its fallen state it
retains its unrivalcd beatty; but long
years of adversely and revolution have
impoverished the old city, killing all
enterprise, aud destroying all sense Of
security.
The correspondents account of the
Vega Renl, or Royal Plain, lying be-
tween the two mountain ranges which
traverse the island from end to end,
reads like tho description of some en-
clanted valley. The name was givento
it 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; llcre is grown tho great crop
OF tobacco which finds market in
Hamburg; hero are the rich cocoa PLAN
tatiOns; and here ME tho 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 tho
magnificent island is in far worse con-
dition than the eastern. All the signs
Of tho old French civilization are disap-
pearing. There nro no manufactures,
the government is bankrupt, tho roads
and bridges nre falling into decay, the
towns are in ruins, and the men are liv-
ing on the industry o. the women. Yet
the climate and tile soil Are favorablot to
the most abundant culture Of tropical
productions. Tobacco, cotton, sugar.
cane, and coffee might be grown in
abundance; but thcindolent population,
easily satisfied, aHe content to subsist
on tho spontaneous gifts OF the glorious
climate. Where she orange, the ban.
ana, the cocoa-nut, the plantain, grow
OF their own accord sae natives have lit
tie incentive 10 labor.
Ihn iSlnnd oncn Rilnnorted n rnnnln.