Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-17

amounted to 1896, ,256 of merchandise,
and the export of products to S7,555,996.
Coffee, cocoa, wool, hides, orange peel, cot
ton-seed, raw sugar, tortoise shell, wax,
honey, cigars, logwood, fustic and ma
hogany being the chief articles of export.
Last year the export of Hayti to the
United States amounted to Sl,752,557, and
our export to Hayti $3,059,318.
Hayti has been subject to more revolu-
tIons and turmoil than any other known
land. In fact, she has been a state of
chronic unrest for half century, that
would have destroyed the nationality of
any people more sensitive, less indolent,
and inspired by even a grain more patri-
otism. The question is, do we
need, or is it advisable to ac-
quire Hayti on any terms. 1t would
give us new importance in naval
strength. On the other hand, it would en-
cumber US with population strange to
our system and not fitted for its accept
ance But American occupation would
give the country assurance Of peace, and
quicken the Haytians to industrial and
productive efforts, of which they do not
now entertain any adequate idea. How
ever, it is replied that there is no pressing
need for insular possession upon the east
side of the Republic The South, Florida
and gulf coasts give us all the naval sta
tions We need, and sufficient base line to
accumulate forcet command the caribbean
sea in case of war. The acquisition would
open new field of activity for the poll
| ticians, and divide the attention of the
Government, which has already territory
sufficient to look after. Stretching from
ocean to ocean, with ports along a greater
sea coast line upon one continent than any
other nation Of earth, with such close con-
tiguity to the West Indies, and CONNER
cial opportunities for trade with them
equal to those of any other people, it is
doubtful if We would make any gain, COM
mercially or otherwise, by the annexation,
except by the abolition of the export duties
which Hayti now puts against us upon
such of her products as we must have
coffee, for instance.
| But the agriculture of the island is in
differently prosecuted. The soil is mar
velously fertile, and capable, under such
intelligent and economic tillage as the
American would insist upon, of yielding
double what it now does, and of very
much better quality in several respects,
notably coffee, which is carelessly cult
waited, poorly hulled, and marketed with
such nonchalance and indifference to
returns, as to lessen its value ma
terially. The people are making
very slow, scarcely any progress comparable
to that to which we are accustomed in civ
ilization, and their social condition shows
but little improvement over that of half
century ago. The demands of civilization
call for us to work the redemption of such
a rich and beautiful spot as Hayti, lying
at our very doorstep, from disquiet and in
dolence. Opposed to this, it is replied that
| the policy of the United States is not one
of conquest. That if we ever need more ter
ritory, the day is as yet very far distant.
We have now an amplitude of possession
that, with the exceptions given, is more
mileage in circumference than any of the
nations of the world, and more in one con-
tinent than any, with a single exception.
These are some of the considerations
that must be taken into account in deter
mining the question whether we want and
and should take Hayti. Another how
ever, and that has had least attention thus
| far, is the moral consideration. Hayti IS a
republic; as she has offended we may de-
mand apology and reparation for damage.
But can we justify seizure upon opportuni-
| ty to destroy the government of people
endeavoring to govern themselves and sue
ceeding, even though the result is much
below our standard ? What right have
we, republic protesting for the right of
man everywhere to govern himself in his
own way, to make pretext for interference
with a neighbor with seizure as the end in
view? We may purchase Hayti as we did
Alaska, if after full debate of the question
| the judgment of the nation is that we need
the island. In that case it becomes only a
| question of detail, and whether we shall
use 100000, 900 of our surplus" in that
way and assume $4,000 more of debt
The heavy rains come this year nearly
two weeks earlier than last season. They
are welcome, however, and the more so
that the precipitation is generous. The
soil is already assured thorough soaking.
! and with the temperance of sunshine the
| whole face of nature in our favored State
will be full of springing life. The new
people among US are full of expressions of
surprise that Californians should manifest
such happiness as they do over a storm.
When they have been with US a round of
seasons they will understand why we are
so profuse in tbankfulness.
IT is reported from several sections that
Chinese laborers are demanding larger
wages than they have heretofore received
in California. 1t is good sign. One of
the greatest objections to the Chinaman
was his underwriting of wages, and his
ability to work for reward upon viii 4
no good American citizen could possibly