Year: 1869

Cuba aud st. Domingo-Our southwnrd
March.
1t appears from our Washington despatch
published yesterday that the President listened
very attentively to the verbal report OF ex-
Vice Consul La Rentrie-who has just re-
turned from Cuba, where he has been residing
in official station for more than two years
frequently interrupting him and asking him
questions. In the opinion Of this official the
Cubans have adopted q wise policy in not
accepting open battle in the field against well
organized and disciplined troops; and the
question Of their success is merely one OF the
ability of Spain constantly to reinforce her
wasting and diminishing army. In this state
pent we do not doubt that Mr.. La Reintrie
has hit the nail on the head. The interest
exhibited by the President shows that he is
fully alive to one Of the most prominent and
urgent questions in American politics. Cuba
will not only be very soon applying to our
government for recognition as q State under
her newly organized republican form of gov
ernment, but at no distant date will make
formal application for admission as a State
within our Union.


1t behooves our public men, and particularly
those in the government, to study these ques-
tions, and to take care that the government
does not lose the present most favorable occa-
sion to advance our national policy. The
initial question in these movements-the one
that requires immediate attention and action
is the one opened by the offer now made by the
Dominican republic. Torn by selfish leaders
and factions for several years, st. Domingo
President Baez But the effort and expendi-
ture required to repress the bushwhacking
discomfort of few INSCRIPTIONS politicians
diverts the revenue Of the government from
its true application in behalf of peaceful de-
velopment and maintains the public authority
in state of constant poverty and weakness.
Enterprise and industry, wanting the natural
protection which should secure their peace,
disappear from the land; commerce decays
and society is deprived of its highest stimulant
to progress. President Baez has wisely sought
to strengthen the fabric of peace by CLOSE
connection with the great republic, and his,
offers should be wisely considered and acted
upon.


The admission of ST. Domingo as a State of
the American Union would guarantee her re-
publican form of government and at the same
time relieve the Dominican people from the ex-
traordinary efforts and sacrifices they are now
compelled to make to preserve the public
peace. Nor would there be any increase of
cost to us. The presence of the American flag,
sustained by the moral power of our govern
from foreign aggression and domestic broils.
The arts of peace would prosper, industry and
trade revive and public and private wealth
increase. All Of these advantages can be &C.
cured by the simple negotiation Of treaty'by
the Secretary of State with the agents of the
Dominican republic, and the whole matter can
be ratified and ready for presentation to Con-
gress on the meeting in December next
Such treaty is not to be looked upon as q
mere attempt at petty annexation. 1t is, in
fact, the arrangement of the formula of our
coming southwark march, and will be the proud
est monument of the administration which es-
tablishes It. With slavery the era Of filibus-
tering passed away. We have now to digest
the form Of that peaceful annexation the spirit
of which is already evident in the countries
beyond our southern border. Close upon st.
Domingo will follow Cuba, Mexico (either in
portions or, perhaps, in one grand mass), and
then the rest of the States and the isles Of the
American Mediterranean, to the isthmus of
Darien. This whole field opens vlth a most
promising aspect to the administration of Pre-
sident Grant, and it is only the first step which
requires skill and wisdom. If this is rightly
taken, as it can easily be in the case of st.
Domingo, the succeeding ones will follow of
their own accord. The administration must
recognize the duty before it and act up to
the national spirit in this great field now
open to US.