The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-09-06
LEGITIMEIN NEW YORK.
"My People Called Ne and Came. They De,
posed Me and 1 Left

NEW York, Sept -Legitime, ex-
president of Hayti. arrived this morning
on the steamer Manhattan, accompanied
by his family and several officers of his
army. The party was transferred from
from the deck of the French man of war to
to the Manhattan at Santiago. As soon as the
Manhattan was made fast she was boarded
by ConsulGeneral Weslandes, of Hayti,
and Preston, minister. The president
looked tired and worn out and his eyes
were bloodshot. He would talk but little
but made few epigramatic remarks which
were interpreted for the benefit of the re
porters. my people called me and l
came" he said. "They dcposed me and
left, not because | was compelled, but to
avoid further bloodshed. Saturday
shall go to France where 1 will remain for
short time. Imay return to Hayti as a
private citizen, or l may go to Ceinfugoes
and establish myself in business"
In an interview Legitime gave the fol
lowing history of events in Hayti during
the past year:
"On October Z, 1888, was elected presi-
dent of the provisionary government OF
Hayti Everything was done fairly and
s1uarely in the election, but intriguing
spirits in the north accused me of fraud
and cheating and General Thelemaque came
down with an army to declare himself the
desired president of the north and south.
l, of course, resisted his attempts, and about
week before the general election my
troops and those of the north under The
| lemaQue had an engagement, and Thelema-
que was killed. did not conspire for his as
sassination. He was killed in battle, but nv
enemies in the north turned Thelemaque's
death into deliberate assassination on my
part and kept up the cry against me. We
had heard that four deputies from the north
were on board the steamer Haytien Re
public, with evil designs, and of course it
was prudent for US to seize them. The
seizure of this vessel was entirely mis-
take, mistake for which we were sorry
| and this is evinced by the speedy manner in
which we turned her over to her owners,
together with large indemnity.
81 was duly elected president Of Hayti
on December /, 1888. My election was
formal and regular The war, you might
say, was begun at this period and soon after
my accession to power, circumstances and
my rights, and my peoples
rights, forced me to engage in it. The war
has been bloody one and of long duration.
Hippolyte came down from the north
sweeping destruction before him and
splitting blood in the most shameful and
diabolical manner, and l can assure you
that the loss of so many lives panied me.
Finally, finding that the increasing num-
bers of the northern army threatened my
southern country with destruction,
decided that the wisest and most proper
course for me to pursue was to resign and
retire quietly and peacefully from the
country. II was not forced to leave
Hayti, nor was there any surrender. My
departure from Port au Prince was indeed
an ovation to me. / love my people and
have every reason to believe they love me.
1t is very possible shall spend year in
France and then perhaps return to Hayti.
My return, however, is undecided and de-
ponds entirely on the state of thiugs.n