The national leader., 1889-08-31
History of the Struggle.

During more than year past the Repub-t
lie of Hayh has been the theatre of revolu-t
tion in which all the horrors of barbaric war.
fare have made it anything but pleasant
home. In October, 1879, Louis Etiennav
Salomon, who had heretofore led al
life of almost unequalled vicissitude, was
chosen President, receiving eighty-two outt
OF the elghty-seven votes cast in the con-,
stitutional election by educational Assembly,
From that date till August of last year he6
was virtually dictator under the forms of
Republican Government. He was reelected
President in June, 1856, by the unanimous
vote of the Assembly.
Early in July terrible confagrations maiiss
havoc in the Haytian capital, and seemed to,
be the signal for concerted insurrectioI-l
A few days later the flag of revolt was ul-4
furled at Port-au-Prince.
The insurgents advanced from the north,
upon the capital with such vigor that on the
10th of August Solomon fed to Cuba He.
went to France and died in Paris October
19.
When Salomon retired from the Presidency
his successor was named in the person OF;
Senator Legitime who was the choice of the
Catholic clergy. whose influence had largely
contributed to the successful rising againsts
the dictator. Legitime established
his administration at Port-au-P Prince.
Meanwhile the whole country burst into re-
volt. Early in November a large army,
headed by General Hippolyte, threat
ened Port-au-Prince All the ports
were declared blockaded by the pro-
visiOnal government. France only of all
the foreign powers formally recognized the
government of Legitime. After short and
bloody battle December 5 Hippolyte captureb
the town of Mirebalais, the forces of LegitiIne
being compelled to hee in disorder.
On the 25th of January, 1889, the troops
of Hippolyte captured the seaport town OF
Grandseline and butchered 300 of thei
army of Legitime. In several encounters the,
utmost barbarity of cruelty was displayed
on both sides, the forces of the governs
ment usually being defeated. On March TO-.
Legitime sent to the insurgent general a CONF
mittee accompanied by M. de Sesmaisons.
the French Minister, bearing proposals for1
peace They were disdainfully refused
Legitime took his revenge when, on the 7tlH
of April, at the head of 1000 men, he surprised
the town of Petite Riviere, captured it and
burned its 600 houses. England joined Frances
in the recognition of Legitime while Germa-
ny instructed her ships to respect his block
ade of the Haytian ports. Our own governs
ment refused to recognize either party as ~
! legitimate Power.
Hippolite captured the towns of Marchand,
Marmalade and st. Michael in the first week.
| of May, opening communication between ST.
! Marc and Gonaives a week later two OF
Legitime's; generals fled before the Insurgents
and Hippolyte rapidly advanced toward Port
au Prince, while the army Of Legitime was
| fast being reduced by. panic and de5ertion-
| Headed by our Minister, with the advice'
| of Admiral Gherardi, the foreign powers
generally declared Eegitime's blockade inef-
| fective, and the downfall of his power be-
came from that date only question OF times
| as to his powers OF endurance.