The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-24

the people of St. Domingo knew from incontssta.
BILE proof sill refused consider the proposition
which came from The President of the Republic
until sent my agents into the island. They won't
caring ~ did, nothing about Il, hoping, perhaps
MS certainly did, that there would be no reasons
for annexation. they brought back their report
made the treaty. submitted IL TO Mr.. Sumner in
the nrst place, not has been falsely said because
wanted him 10 support II, but because Mr. Sumner
was chairman Of the Committee OF Foreign Relations
and wished as matter OF courtesy 10 him to tell
him why the treaty had been made in secret. The
reason was TO prevent certain jobbers from specu-
ating In the debt OF tho island Mr. Sumner did not
oppose the treaty in the Senate but tried smother
It. You see treaties have q limit. and Mr. Summers
idea was to allow the limit to pass. did not think
that was frank with ST Domingo, ana
pressed the Senate TO say something. Under
this pressure the opposition developed. See-
ing that IL embraced not only Mr.. Sumner
and Mr. Schurz, who had resolved TO oppose me,
mo matter what did, but good, honorable Ike
Edmunds. with whom l friendly, seeing that
even friends like Conkling and Cameron were luxe
warm, then appointed q commission. 1 selected
two men who wore opposed to st. Domingo-Presi
dent Andrew White. OF Cornell University. and Dr.
Samuel E. How. also sent Senator Wade, who was
probably as iukewarm Mr.. Cameron, who felt per-
haps l did in the beginning-,nat we pre- baby had
as much wanted In the way Of land-and VINO.
however he might feel. would OF all men living be
sure 10 make an honest report also sent FREDERICK
Douglass. And when Wendell Philips speaks Of the
reachery the black race involved :he treaty he
might do me the justice 10 add that Mr. Douglass
among enthusiastic supporters Of the treaty,
and that he Is perhaps good friend OF the black
man and as jealous Of his rights as Mr.. Philips
or myself gave these men NO instructions as to
II hoAh oau N do Inv
certainly were degraded enough 10 have gone Dr.
Howe was Mr.. Summers lifelong friend When they
returned they were in favor Of the
ton. / then turned over tho whole matter to Con-
gress In a special message, ana from that time have
had nothing to do with with ST. Domingo. used no
pressure about the treaty. had honestly tried to do
my duty In the matter, not only to my own
country but toward ST. Domingo So long
DR.. Howe lived he labored for the annex
alton. He visited the country. he wrote
about 1t, and ceased TO agitate I think now,
looking over the whole subject, that IL would have
been great gain to the United States to have
nexed ST. DomiDeo. 1t would have settled many
problems that now disturb 1t would have rem
dered the Cuban question easy OF solution. 1t
would have given home for the blacks, who
were and as hear sti oppressed in the south
II two three hundred thousand blacks to emf
crate TO st. Domingo under our Republic tue South
ern people would learn the crime Of Ku Kluxlsm, be-
they would how necessary the black
man 10 TO their own prosperity. 1t would
have settled several questions OF political
economy We should have grown our own coffee and
sugar, own haru woods and spices. We should
have become an exporter; as We are now an Inn
porter OF coffee. There would have been a field
for American capital anu commerce. You remember
how large portion OF the West Indian trade used
come TO how, In fact large portion OF our trade
was West Indian. All this would have revived. We
should have made OF st. Domingo q Texas
new California, with sources Of strength national
prosperity greater Ia respects than those
possessed by Texas or California"
Your correspondent ventured 10 suggest that Mr.
Sumner may have Lad q conscientious opposition to
annexation-a feeling prevalent in New England
"That could not very we'll have been" SAID the Gen.
era, ''as supported the annexation OF Ahska and
was anxious to confirm Mr.. Stewards treaty for ST
Thomas. We paid Russia 81, 100000 fer Alaska, and
he pay ST. OoO OoO think for 81 Thomas.
suppose ons Of his reasons for Wishing Alaska
thatit Nigh, annoy Engiand-for Al that time he
upon England. But never shared that feel.
alton, only say If was worth 81 o0O 900
81. Domingo certainly worth taking TOR trihe. II
ST. Domingo had come we should have had HaytL
Power like ST Domingo makes Us masters of
the Gulf OF Mexico. II the mocra,s ever gain
power at homo they will revive this question. sup
pose II the treaty had been confirmed we should have
made ST. Domingo territory under military gov
erument at the outset. In that case should most
PROBABLY have appointed General scnoleld or Gen.
era Terry Its governor.