Year: 1870

Domingo.


The time for the ratification Of the st.
Domingo treaty expires tomorrow but there
is no prospect Of 1t being acted upon by the
Senate within the time. The President, how
ever, does not give 1t up. The news from
Washington informs us that General Grant
told several Senators that he had made an
arrangement for further extension Of time,
with the hope that the Senate may, before
Congress adjourns, act favorably upon the
treaty. This tenacity Of purpose is strong in
the President. When he sees he is right and
has q good object in view he is not easily
turned aside from his purpose


Senators have lost sight Of the main object
and the general policy involved in this ques-
ton Of acquiring st. Domingo by looking
too steadfastly at minor matters or side
issues. Some have opposed the treaty because
they want no further extension Of territory;
some because the territory lies to the south
and in the tropics and not at the north.
Others are opposed to the incorporation OF
more negroes and because the acquisition Of
St. Domingo would bring to Us several hum
dred thousand more Of that population. A
good many appear to have been Influenced by
the reports of there being big job at the
bottom Of the annexation scheme. The COM
bined influence Of these objectors has proved
stronger than the administration, though
large majority Of the Senate belong to the
party of the administration.


Those who oppose the treaty on the ground
that we want no more territory, or, at least,
territory to the southwark and in the tropics,
are old fogies who do not see beyond their
noses. There always has been that class Of
men in the republic-the same that opposed
the acquisition of Louisiana, Florida, Texas,
California and other Territories They would
have fenced in the old thirteen States
with Chinese exclusive ness Had their
advice been followed the United States
would have been to-day second
or third rate Power, with limited pro-
ductions and circumscribed area, instead of
the magnificent empire, abundance and great
variety of products, enormous wealth and
vast population we now have. Such men are
always behind the times and never compre-
hend the destiny of the country Not less
short-sighted are those who resist the acquisi-
ton of tropical territory. The sugar, coffee,
cocoa, minerals, dye studs, ornamental woods,
fruits, drugs and other things which the rich
islands of the West Indies furnish in abundance,
or are capable of furnishing to an almost un-
limited extent, would add greatly to our wealth
and commerce, and would 60 far 10 make us
Independent of the rest of the world for these
supplies. Besides, these islands, If possessed
by us, would afford large market for our
manufactures and agricultural products.
Then, the United States has become such a
vast nation as to need the ports, harbors and
defences of the Antilles, which command all
the channels and seas south of us. We can
not resist long our destiny in that direction,
and it is a narrow-minded policy that
leads public men to make the attempt.
AS to the negroes or mixed races
in the West Indies, they are but drop in the
bucket. The overwhelming, superior white
race in this republic can easily control and
make them useful. See how 1t is in the South
ern States of the Union. Look at the enor-
nous cotton crop and other products that they
raise by their labor, and that, too, with all the
difficulties that arose from the war, sudden
emancipation and protracted reconstruction.
There need be no fear about controlling that
class of population and making it useful.


As to the opposition on the ground that
there is a job in the annexation scheme of St.
Domingo, that is comparatively small mat
ter. It would be hard to accomplish any
scheme Of annexation or purchase of terri
tory without some job being in it--without some
individuals being benefited. It would be bet
ter if this were not so. But, after all, this is a
trifing consideration compared with the great
object in view and the results to be obtained
Then the government can use proper vigil
lance in the matter and hedge any treaty
of annexation round with such provi-
sions as to prevent any stupendous jobs
or frauds. We suppose that Fabens
Cazneau and others, who are smart
scheming fellows. are going to make something
out of the annexation of st. Domingo, if that
takes place, and so will great many other
Americans; but shall we throw away all the
advantages to the country on that account? It
was the same with the silly hue and cry about
the Cuban bonds, to damage the cause of Cuba
and to prevent that island, the most valuable
of all the West Indies, coming to the United
States. AS 1t turned out, this report about
the Cuban bonds was cGnard J, but if it had
been true-that is, if these bonds had been
used to help the cause of Cuban independence,
provided none had been used to corrupt Con-
gress-what harm would there have been
done? Would not this have been very small
affair, at least compared with the great object
of making Cuba free and driving the Spaniards
from this hemisphere? The truth is, these
reports about St. Domingo, as well as about
Cuba, have been worked up by opposing par
ties, and have really no reason In them. Cen
eral Grant is right in his broad and far-seeing