The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-10-19
Idle Tales.

The New York Herald alleges that Minis
ter Douglass has been instructed to negotiate
with President Hippolyte Of Hayti for the
placing OF that Republic under the protec-
ton OF the United States; that San Domingo
will be asked to adopt the same course; and
that Minister Palmer has been ordered to
hint to Spain that the United States would
like to have her let go of Cuba. All these
allegations may safely be set down as stuff
and nonsense. The instructions said to have
been given must have been given, If at all,
by the Secretary of State. But Mr. Baine's
views Of the annexation of countries to the
south OF us-for this Is what q protectorate in
the end would come to-are well known, hay
ing been given to the public by himself some
years ago, and they run directly counter to
these alleged instructions. In 1877, there
was an agitation along the Texas Dor
der, which was supposed to have for Its ulti-
mate object the annexation of Mexico. At
Mr.. Bowen's Fourth Of July celebration at
Woodstock, in which Mr.. Blaine took part.
the latter took for the text of his address this
annexation movement. and in the course of
his remarks said:
There can be no doubt, think, that an over
whelming majority Of the people OF this country.
and especially the North, are hostile to further
plainly shown when Mr.. Stewards proposed pur.
chase Of the island Of st. Thomas was perempto-
rly rejected, and still later, when Gen. Grants
scheme utterly failed to secure support even
when his admnistr alton was peculiarly powerful
and influential In shaping measures and directing
While regretting that our government did not
stand for its extreme rights both In the North
W. st and the Northeast, l would not attempt to
force annexation or acquisition OF territory in any
direction-but at the same time most frankly
own that the incorporation OF the British Amerl-
can provinces Ia our union would be vast addi-
ton TO our strength and large element added TO
our growth and prosperity.
These sentiments were uttered eleven years
ago, but nothing since that has occurred to
change the opinion of tho North which
then existed. Mr.. Blaine interpreted that
opinion correctly ten years ago. 1t, no
doubt, today remains the same. Mr.. Blaines
own personal feeling was against annexa-
lions from the South then, and the reasons on
which 1t rested remain In full force to-day.
we have no manner of doubt therefore that
MI Blaine holds today the wise and states
manlike views he uttered in 1877 opposition
70 any attempt to force annexation or acqui-
s,s'oh In any direction, and opposition to
'ne requirement of territory to the south of
40 esen II ~ came as free gift. The people
70 1ne south Of us are not homogeneous with
our people. They are of different blood, and
speak different language. 1t is for our
interest as well as theirs to cultivate friend
relations with them and closer CONNER
cial intercourse. But to make them mart
aud parcel Of the Republic is not the part of
wisdom, and stories to the effect that the
present administration is engaged in any
negotiations that have that for their object
may be dismissed as idle tales.