Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-04-04

Z hAXN EEtNAueht III a ndth VI
DiOod-A Dish of Infant Brains,
Mixed with Beans.
Port-au-Prinee Correspondence Cincinnati
While in Santo Domingo we often
heard of the ignorance and barbarity OF
Haytians, and gave the reports little
credit. Stories Of Cannibalism seemed
so improbable that felt almost ashamed
to inquire into the matter. Mr. Hep
burn, "a citizen of Portau-Pripce for
thirty years, however, gave the following
facts: That large portion of the peo-
pie in the back country are worshippers
Of the God Voudoo, an African deity,
who requires human sacrifices at the
hands Of his votaries. In the year 1865,
while Jefrard was President of the Re-
public, four men and four women were
convicted of killing and eating little
girl about seven years of age. The
eight persons were condemned and pub
hcly executed by being shot back of the
fort in front of the town. Mr.. Hepburn
was one of many who witnessed the exc
eution. This story was confirmed by
Mr., Roumain, formerly Haytian Minis
ter in Washington, and by General Je-
frard himself who ordered the execu-
ton. Both of these gentlemen are now
exiled in Kingston, where l saw and
conversed with them. / also learned
that this sect now number at least two
hundred thousand in Hayti, and that
since Jefrard left, they have held their
heathen dances upon the public square
in Port-au-Prince. But a. few weeks
have passed since a priestess of the
order was arrested for similar
offense, and committed to prison.
1t is alleged that she defied the au-
thorities, and demanded to be at once
released, or she would bring horde of
Voudoos into the city, and destroy it..
She was released. 1t is believed, among
respectable citizens, that Salnave in his
time, so far yielded to the Youdoo inhu-
ence as, at one time, to attend one of
their barbarous feats, and participate in
bath of human blood, Itis said that
their god required a sacrifice of one
hundred children at one time, in order
to render the government of Salnave
permanent, and that white and colored
children were missing all over Hayti,
while black children were not disturbed
The prejudices existing between the
three classes whites, colored-or mu-
lattoes and blacks) are very strong.
None but pure blacks are supposed to be
initiated into the secrets of the Voodou
order Itis possible that these stories
may have been exaggerated. And it is
also possible that they may not come up
to the facts. One thingis certain, that
Voodouism has, and does still exert a
large influence in the affairs of Hayti.
People are afraid, and speak of it in
whispers. The Rev. Mr.. Bird, in his his
tory of Hayti, who, from his long resi-
dence there, must have known OF their
barbarities, passes over the matter with
very brief paragraphs, and rather con-
demns the execution of the eight per-
sons. He says -alAF
at is fact well known that this pub
lie act of justice was utterly without ef-
feet, except that it made, the practice
more secret; hence similar cases have
occurred since. The God Youdoo, in
these dark minds, must yield to the true
God" .,..
In other things, the whole thing is the
resultof little conflict between a couple
Of gods, and no one is to blame, but the
Voudoo god, who will get the worst of it
by and by. Still Haytians sacrifice hu-
man beings for the sake Of their God.
Thirty years Of missionary labor, under
the administration Of the schooLmaster,
with the Gospel Of common sense, would
have put an end to such barbarities.
General Jefrard told me that when he
left Hayti, there were seventeen thousand
children in school in the mountain dis
tricts, but now, said he, fear there
are not as many hundred" Jefrard was
a true man, and had the true idea for
putting an end to the heathenism and
barbarfty in Hayti. His foot was put
down firmly against all violations of the
laws of justice, reason and right
whether by Voudoo or any one else. A
woman had never yet been executed as
a criminal in Hayti, but when four
women were convicted of killing a little
Girl and eating her brains-mixed with
beans--pleading, in Justification, that
their God had commanded them to do
SO, he ordered them shot, and if their
God had been tangible he would have
Jared no better. He was firm believer
in the doctrine Of twice two is four
as the corrective for heathenism and
murder, He sent young men to France
to be educated as teachers for the ignor-
ant and superstitious Of his people. He
would have preferred Republican Amer
lea to instruct his teachers, but their
school-house doors we're closed against
him, and his race were manacled and
sold in public markets for Christs sake:
Had Jefrard been sustained, Hayti would
to-day have been on the high road to
prosperity. The people now see their
mistake. All classes would welcome his
return, but it is too late. BE is in exile,
and too old to assume the reigns Of gov.
ernment again, have only mentioned
the name of Jefrard in its connection
with Voudooism. ] hope in some future
number to speak of him in more pleasant
relations. Aod.
Deteetive's story.
1 \ IL ~. 4