The New York herald., 1879-08-08
UNHAPPY HAYTI.
Deplorable Condition Of the West
Indian Republic.
REVOLUTIONARY POLITICS.
The Progress Of Events Described by Ex-
Minister Bassett.
REVOLUTIONARY
DELORME's CAREER.

from Hayu show deplorable condition of things
in that Republic the garden Of the tropic seas where
every prospect pleases and only is,vile." Row
outions have apparently been the order Of the day
and night and all the horrors that may be supposed
to spring from such a state of affairs have been
realized. The ex-Minister OF the United States to
tho Republic Of Hayti. Mr.. Ebenezer d. Bassett,
whose intelligent tact in the discharge of his duties
earned for him commentators all sides. and who
spent period Of about nine years Minister of the
United States at Port Prince and during that time
saw the occurrence Of several revolutions was yes-
terday the city, stopping at the Sturtevant House.
In the evening HERALD reporter had the subjoined
interesting interview with him:-
"You have read the news from Hayti Mr. Bassett
What do you think is about to become of the coun-
try?"
.I think the published reports. giving SO deplor-
able picture OF anarchy and impending ruin, are
greatly exaggerated. While the condition Of things
is sufficiently unpromising nevertheless think that
the wonderful natural resources of the Republic its
dense and we'll meaning population and its average
underlying good sense will in due time bring the
country back to prosperity"
.why is it the people Of Hayti are SO disposed to
revoluton?"
There are many reasons for this revolutionary
tendency. One is sort of feeling that almost
amounts to an animosity between the citizens Of
mixed and unmixed blood. More than nine-tenths
of the entire population what would here be
called of unmixed African blood. These live
mostly in the country at some distance from
the cities, and are the tillers of the
soil. They are manly and well disposed. and
not, as is commonly reported, lazy. They have not
now nor have they ever had the power in the gov
ernment to which their numbers entitled them.
Their leading men are either won to sympathy with
the mnlsttoes or mixed blood. or. il they are men
fAc nfad nus fnn infa l1ffrarv
to be duped-ke General Solomon, whom
regard as the greatest man the African
race has produced on this hemisphere-they are
driven or kept in exile or IN some other way rem
dered politically powerless. The muattoes, who
tiun live in tho cities conduct the commerce. edu-
cate their children abroad and seem to
slider themselves entitled to all the honors
and emoluments of the government. While
sny snsy unfrends disposon toward the 0pi SaeE
every respect and cherish for him sort OF con-
tempt. The blacks arc perfectly aware of this feel
ing toward them the part of the nulattoes. but
thew bear it without resentment and this race feel
ing il it may be called. lies at the bottom Of
most OF the social and political troubles Of this
country.
.sAnother may be found in the peculiar cir
cumstances under which the nation gained its inde-
pendence- circumstances which called into promi-
nence and into the direction OF government men
the ordinary affairs of life There has been con-
tnued lack of education among the masses. This
induces many men from the common walks of life
aspire to the chief Office in the State. remembering
that Of their order have achieved that position
more by physical than intellectual means, Common
school education and siutereoursc with foreigners
and foreign countries must ultimately eradicate both
this unwholesome tradition and the race feeling
already referred to-
.Is the influence Of an American Minister at Port
I au Prince of much account in the contention of
purties?"
him as well the country which he represents and
he has at all times access to the sources of power Of
all parties.
'.Were you ever molestcd by any faction of the
revolutionists."
During nearly nine years that was American
Minister there was. without exception. treated with
the utmost respect and Difference by every class in
the country.
al should say that they not; but they i'm
pulsive and passionate. like the French. of whose
traits of character they possess many.
'Have you hope that Hayti will finally achieve q
stable government and become settled and pros
porous country
..To that important question should say yes Just
as Americans have the same hope for the other
Latin republics on this hemisphere. Hayti has .
denser population than other of these, and her
people. under good government. are calculated to
make excellent citizens.'
"Who is Delorme, reported to be now in charge OF
affairs at Port au PrinceY
.Delorme is not now at the head of affairs. How
It came to be supposed that he was so shall explain
Delorme is 'grif, what would be called in this
country q black man. He is sharp, witty fellow Of
unmistakabe ability. q smart man.. Without being
profound or eloquent as speaker or writer he is
favorahly known in France an author. Under the
Emperor SouloqrW there was what might be called
plenty and prosperity in the country and everybody
spent his money there and seemed to
have abundance OF it. But after reign
Of thirteen years the Emperor was oyerthrown by
Geffrard, and under Gcffrard. for period OF eight
years. the country still went in career of pros
perity. In the end. however, Geffrard was himself
Delorme. When Salnave came into power the whole
construction of the Cabinet and the policy OF
his restlessness and ambition soon brought him into
disfavor. Salnave thought t'expedient to be re-
ieved of Of hd,,rp his presence soc,, in the govern,
exile In 1866 and resided in France until
some months after the election OF General
Boisrond Canal. returning to Port Prince in 1877
But he was subsequently elected member OF the
Corps Legislatf. where his eloquence and activity.
as well his color. soon brought him into decided
prominence, and at the session which opened in
May of the present year he was elected the
presiding officer of that body"
''TUMULr AND INTRIGUE"
"lt is long story of tumult and intrigue" con-
tinued Minister Bassctr. land 1t may be briefly
divided into two parties--the liberals. at whose
head was Boyer Bazelas. with the national party.
but ,So as emar 'SG Which oreg
national. he. was. thrown into the posi-
tion Of leader t.,n Of that party Ba,slais rs Is
In OF unmistakable ability and great and
firing industry. and. in conjunction with Edmund
education industry and ability has steadily and per-
sisently worked and plotted for years to arrive at
the House was oyerwhelminaiy national. The Sem Sen,
ate decidedly liberal. Bazelais finding himself
defeated and that all his schemes aud intrgues had
come to naught, absonted himself from attendance
at the Chambers, and thus brought himself within
the scope OF law o. which he himself was the
author, and by which persistent abscntccsm was
made punishable by expulsion. Delorme carried
out tho law and Bazclais was expelled. The real
reason why he absentod himself was because
he declined to take the oath OF Office from the hands
OF Deorme. who, ~ stated. had become the leader
Of the nationals The expasion ef Baxelais was
this excited the utmost acrimony in their ranks
toward the nationals This bitter party feeling led
to heated recrimination the Senate siding with tho
liberals in the House In this way party feeling
high that on June 80 shots fired In the Legis
lative Chamber. supposed to have from mem
bcrs OF the liberal party and aimed ut Delorme the
presiding officer, and General Canal. the Presidents
brother. Immediately the adherents OF both par
ernmcn:--ncw TO arms, and bloody conflict
which lasted four days, precipitatod.
i,, ullicl hundreds of nennln No killed and