The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-20

ioEfDt". WHICH We nave alfeaNy ptplisie'i, III
| dicates that thc revolution which has just taken
| place there, iboueh perfectly natural aud to
| he expected, may affect the dostinies Of that
island more seriously than any which has pre-
ceded il since the successful negro insurrectioa
Of 1871, being nothing less than the overthrow
Of FaisfiD Soulouque's empire and the deciara-
ZION Of a new Hayden republic.
The proclamation of the Emperor Faustin,
foFhldding all persons, whether natives or
foreigners, residing in the island, aud even
strangers passing through the country, to con-
verse on matters Of politics, or to spread any ia
formation in regard to the acts of The govern
ment, is now understood by meas of nume-
rous spies the government has lolg been aware
OF the formation Of secret GLIB, especially in
The north, and q rising has been antci-
pated. Rumor, however, reported that nothing
would be done until February. This was pretty
though where how and on what authority the
rumor arose ii is impossible to ascertain.
The revolt seems to have commenced at q
most opportune moment, when labor Of every
sort was suspended, in consequence ofthe Christ
mas holidays, which are celebrated with an
entire cessation Of all work throughout the
French portion of st. Domingo, and when the
idle population Of the country were crowding
towards the cities end villages, ripe for either
fun or mischief
Should the army remain firm to Sollou1uc
there may be some fierce battles fought in the
n cbod
The fidelity of the army, however, cannot be
relied upon. They are badly clothed, badly
armed, and miserab]y fed, and with SO small
pay that they are almost obliged to plumber in
order to live. Many are forced into the ranks
against their wishes. On the hills and in
secluded places whole communities live under no
control of any government, and although ac-
knowledging the Emperor at Port au Prince as
their ruler. no deiereuce is paid to his COM
mands. The imperial troops necessarily make
inroads for the purpose Of impressing these
sons of the wilderness into the army; and Of
such unwilling recruits large part of the army
is composed.
1t is said, however, that Soulouque has the
power of making those Immediately about his
person firm friends; this power will now be
tried.
Gefrard, his antagonist, who is reported as
being at the head of the revolutionary move
ment, is a man somewhat advanced in years;
his hairs are gray, and he has the appearance Of
having seen good deal of life. His manners
are very popular, and he is favorite of the
Of hof bn
was on the point Of being arrested by the pre-
sent Emperor. Soulouque has always opposed
the influence OF foreigners. Geflrard, on the
contrary, favors it, and endeavors to gain the
confidence and esteem Of strangers. He is
nearly black, but still has some white blood in
his veins.
Ever since the island came under negro rule
its circumstances have been getting worse and
worse; its productions have declined; its fnan-
cial condition has been miserably bad for many
years, and its government, continually inter-
rupted by internecine feuds, has become SO cor
rupt and imbecile. that the island presents at
this moment every evidence of a return to bar
barism-even to a falling off in its population.
This, perhaps, is not to be wondered at; nor
can it be expected that under any phase of
revolution through which it may pass. short of
its government by white men, better state Of
things will exist there. 1t matters little whether
the old negro emperor shall regain his sove-
reign position, or that Hayti, like Dominica at
the other side Of the island, shall become
an independent republic the present races
arc dominant in st. Domingo, that beautiful and
fertile island must remain blot upon the civili-
cation of Western India.
Soulouque, since his elevation to supreme
power, has exercised it VIGOROUSLY for selfish
and corrupt purposes-a fact which, added to his
cruel and unsparing character, had engendered
discomfort among his aggrieved and plundered
subjects
There was one circumstance, however, which,
more than any other, may have strengthened the
disafection which has resulted in the late revo-
lution and that is the financial difficulty which
arose about year ago out Of the swindle and
absconding Of the broker Reimbaud, who car
ricd off million Of dollars, and plunged the
island into commercial ruin II will be remem-
bered that Soulouque was freely charged with
having aided his escape, owing, it was said, to
certain financial transactions of his own in con-
nection with Reimbaud or his friends. Certain
it is that Soulouque, though quick enough to Sc
cure and punish political malefactors, permitted
Reimbaud to evade justice and bring destruc-
ton upon nearly all the commercial prosperity
of the empire. At that time we represented
these facts as they existed; whereupon the official
organ Of his Sable Majesty Indignantly abused
the New York HERALD, and charged it with
base and ignobic attempts to ruin Haytien credit
and all that sort Of thing.
Nevertheless, the condition Of IIayti has been
getting worse since that period. Whatever con-
fidence it's negro master possessed seems to have
departed from him; and another change of
government has been the consequence For
long time past the English and French jour.