Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-06
LEGITIsrE IN EXILE.
The ex-President Of the Haytian Re-
public In New York.


HI TALKS AT LENGTH ABOUT THE AFFAIRS UPos
THE ISLAND AND HIS CONNECTION WITH TIL
EVENTS OF THE PAST FEW YEARs-HE LEr1
TO AVOID TuRTHKR SHEDDING OF BLOOD.
Legitime, ex-president Of Hayti, il accom-
panied by his family and several officeri
of his army. The following il the list
Gen. F. D. Legitime, wife and servant, Mis-
Endosia Legitime, Miss Angelo Legitime, Miss
Antoinette Legitime, Master Edward Legitime
Master d. Legitime, Gen. Scion Menos, Gen.
Ciceron Francois, Gen. Instine Carrie, Gen
Howell Monplaisir, Gen. Horace Moliere, Capt.
ST. Front and Mr.. T. F. Texrier and wife
There were only five other passengers on the
vessel
Az soon az the Manhattan had made fast te
her dock in New York yesterday she wa
boarded by Consul Gen. Deslandes of Hayti ant
Stephen Preston, minister, who were followed
by half a dozen reporters. Legitime and his
family were seated in the cabin, all prepared
for shore.
THE Ex-PREsIDENT LOOKED TIRED
and worn out and his eyes were bloodshot
His broadcloth Prince Albert coat was dusty
and wrinkled and his high silk hat was luster.
less The attire Of his staff was similar
to that of the ex-commander. Legitime'l
daughters are very handsome children, with
the complexion of mulatress, while
their father is coal black. Madame
Legitime is fine looking Portly
woman, not so dark as her husband, and vel
powdered. The ex-president would talk very
little, but he made q few epigrammatic re-
marks, which were interpreted for the benefit
of the reporters.
my PEOPLE CALLED ME AND I CAME"
he said. "They deposed me and left, not be-
cause I was compelled to, but to avoid further
bloodshed-
Son Saturday shall 60 to France, where
VIII remain a short time. l may return to
Hayti as a private citizen or may go to Glen
fuegos and establish myself in business"
Legitime would not talk at length and he was
excused by the Haytian consul, who said he
was not disposed to talk at any very great
length, as he did not feel well and wanted
rest. Regarding the circumstances OF
anything. and when asked if he would
say that no prisoners were executed at his COM
mand, raised both hands and exclaimed in
French: Gan / say the sun is not shining
now"
LEdrrIME AND sALoMoN.
In regard to his connection with the Haytian
government, Legitime said: "For long time
was minister under Solomon and suddenly
our relations became strained. Reports Of a
false nature were conveyed to the old president
that was envious of his post of honor, and in
order to remove all semblance Of such thing
on my part resigned my position and with my
family retired to kingston, Jamaica, where
spent three years. By the most pressing invi-
tation and requests of friends returned to
Hayi. and on October Z, 1888, was elected
formally and regularly president of the
provisionary government of Hsyti. Every
thing was done fairly and squarely in my
election, but intriguing aud conspiring spirits
In the north accused me of fraud and cheating,
and Gen. Thelemaque came down with an army
to declare himself the desired president Of the
north and south. l of course resisted usurper,
and about a week before the general election
my troops and those of the north, with Gen.
Ihelemaque at the head, had an engagement
and Ihelemaque was killed in it. 1t Is absurd
to suppose and believe such statements that 1,
through friends, caused the death of Thele-
maque. l did not conspire for his assassina-
ton. He was killed in battle, on the battle
field
II would have no motive for having him
assassinated, as felt sure that my election was
certain and my friends, the deputies. were in
the ascendancy. My enemies ON the north now
completely turned Thelemaque's death into q
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 Republic with evil designs,
and, OF course, 1t was prudent for us to seize
them. The seizure Of this vessel was entirely
a mistake. for which we were sorry, and this is
evidenced by the speedy manner in which we
turned her over to her owners, together with a
large indemnity for the affair.
ST WAS DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF HAYr1
on December II, 1888. My succession to that
Office was just and in accordance with the will
Of the people. But knew my enemies would
not cease to keep awake and pervert my every
little act into those of tyrant and a usurper.
The war was begun soon after my accession to
power, and circumstances and my peoples
rights forced me to engage in it. The war has
been bloody one and of long duration. Hip
polyte came down from the north, sweeping
destruction before him and spilling blood in
shameful and most dlabolical manner, and
can assure you that the loss of 80 many lives
panied me quite severely. My people seemed
terror stricken; and the report of my people
abandoning me and rallying to the standard of
Hippolyte is due solely to that
Il lost considerable men in battle, the num-
Der OF which cannot now aggregate. The loss
of life on both sides have been terrible, but
believed was in right cause in protecting
my peoples rights. But fate was against me
and the increasing numbers of the northern
army threatened my southern country with de-
struction, the blood and lives Of my people
and there was no better wiser and more
proper course to pursue than for me to resign
and retire quietly and peacefully from the
country. This I accordingly did.
81 WAS NOT FORCED TO LEAVE HAYrr
nor was there any surrender. The diplomatic
corps in Port au-Prince concurred with me in
my views as to quietly leaving the country and
they will bear me out. By holding out I fore
saw that the deplorable state of things would
continue and might grow worse, so deemed
1t best to retire and thus save the lives
and property and prosperity of Hayti am
now on my way to France with my family and
generals, where will spend some little time.
MY departure from Port-au-Prince was in
deed an ovation to me. love my people and
1 have every reason to believe they love me-
1t Is very possible that after year in France I
may return to Hayti. have no doubt by this
time Hippolyte has entered Port-au-Prince and
declared himself president. He is not the kind
Of man to be at the head Of affairs, his training
and education not qualifying him for the presi.
dency. At least this is the opinion Of the edu-
Gated class Of Haytians. Hippolyte's career az
president will not, think, be of long duration
IN the event OF his assumption Of such power.
The people will soon become dissatisfied with
his methods and he will find it more con yenient
to retire: Hayti's war is with and in herself.
She has had no outside or foreign interference,
nor have the French in any way participated in
the struggle. Foreign interests in Hayti will
always be respected, and so far as those of
Americans are concerned, they will think, be
untouched Minister Thompson have always
regarded as good man. and / am sure we have
SO Tar found no cause of complaint against him.
My Impression Is that my successo: will not in
terfere with American interests"