New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-10
. MR.. SUMNER AND TIE H4YTIENS.

nE- DECLINES THE COMPLIMENTARY MEDAL
The medal offered To Senator Sumner in the
name of the people Of Hayti placed in his hands
the 18th Of July last by Gen. Preston, Minister Of the
Republic, with the following letter signed by dstin-
gllished citizens including the President:
LIBERTY. EQUALITY. TRArERSITI."
Rpun q Hgn TO @> HoaoraM. CHARLIE, srsyrE sensor q
object aptitude race 1 civilization and
% ~ % $ G n f'I s a " n 70" has' %a &
s G more ss s1 " yH e have s s sfe
Its the gn Of Caes Teope seeing place ITSELF By its own
M blanks YOU She Will he able justify you esteem, and to
mspaio nfrse ~ AZ @ na 81 net msos mrenns IN ns p
feeble testimony Of m gratitude this aeds which viii perPenate in
rep Of the world to black humanity" '''
gratitude and said he would address the sgners of the
letter in writing. He decided to return the medal and
his reply now published is 9s ioll0ws: , co.,
GENTLEMEN: have received today. BY tb8 hands Of
you have done me the honor of presenting to Inc In
the name OF the Hayten people, together with the
accompanying communication bearing 20 many as
the cstimabe President OF the Republic. Allow me TO
say most sincerely that do not deserve this token
the haiterng terms OF your communication am only
Of many who have labOred for the acknowledgements
at all times the sacred cause Nor have I done any.
thing except in the simple discharge Of duty. could
not have done otherwise without the rchuke of my
conscience. In this service have acted always under
prOinptings which with me were irresistible. Like you
l
in illustrating the capacity " The African race for self
government, and rejoice 10 know that distinguished
ayens recognize the necessity Of cliuging to national
life, only for the sake of their Republic, but
example for the benefit Of that vast race which
ind, prndence will be the triumph Of the black man
everywhere in all sthe isles of the and gin all the
unknown cXpanse of the African continent, marking
great epoch of civilization. In cuyatng sentiment OF
nationality you will naturally insist upon that equality
implies self-respect. In the presence of international
law all nations equal. AS well deprive citizen of
IitNyb .f,ra Inn lay lpIriVp Dat Won WI
also insist that Christian rule as applicable to ma
baV ho ~ do un ro eIoWng IL ALWAYS in Your own
conduct and expectnf Others to follow 1t toward You
which all men made one, with common title TO
I rejoice again in the assurance that you give that
Hayi il prepared Ia advance In the path of progress.
Here offer best wishes, with ardent aspirations that
,iija ana srnpGrt i'm tins happy path. With education
for the people and with peace foreign ana domestic,
especially everywhere the island, the independence
OF Hayt will be placed beyond the assault OF force and
the intrigues of designing men, beside being encourage
'nent to the African race everywhere. uasL t!at
you will receive with indulS these frank words IN
response To the communication with winch you nave
honurcd me. They VIII show ~ least my constant SYM
patty with your cause. And now, gentlemen throw
myself again on your Indulgence While expressing tne
hone that will suspect OF iuScnsbty 10 your
generous present, if add that considering the text 81
thu Constitution OF the United states ana me services
YOU have intended to commemorate, deem 1t my duty 10
return the beautiful medal into your hands 10 th3
am constrained by the spirit If not by the letter of the
Constitution. which forbds any person III my SITUATION
from accepting any present Of any kind whatever rom
the state "of IIavi" Yet when observe that accord
ing its haterug inscription, II Is IRON lhc Hayutl
peCpc" and that the communication accompanying II
l. signed by the President aud eminent magistrates OF
Hayi; and st further that it is in recognition Of ser
vices rendered by Senator OF the United states
/ feel that cannot receive it without acting IN some
measure contrary the intention Of the Constitution,
which bound to support. In arriving al TINS con
clu-ion have been governed by that same S"nS' oil
dufy which on the occrsiOn to which you refer made me
your advocate and which with me Is supreme !l".
While thus rcsiIing this most interesting token 't
you to believe me none The less grateful lOr the signal
honor you have done me.
Accept for yourself and for your country all goo!
wishes and allow to subscribe myself, gentlemen.
your devoted frirnd, CHARLES 9ChHtk'