Huntsville gazette., 1891-08-15
FREl) DOUGLASS
Reaches the End of A Long
and Noted Public Career.
he Minister to H4yti Tenders
His Resign alton.

The Most Widely known Colored Man
in the World Retires from Public Life
to Pass the Remas,eT of His Days at
His Residence Near Anacostia and Close
to u ashinxton.
WASHINGTON, Aug. -2-The long
pubic career of Frederick Do glas, per-
haps the most widely Known represen-
tatlve OF the colore.l race III the world.
has ended in the resignation OF his posi-
ton as minister to the black republic of
Haysi. The news of HIS resignation.
while II was a surtkse n certain
quarters, was not unexpected by those
who are familiar with the recent train
OF events in connection with Mr..
Douglass's mission to HaycL Mr.
Douglass is an old man, boU-2G under
the weight Of 70 years. with hair as
white as the driven snow. His advanced
age utterly untitled him for the dis
charge of the diplomatic duties which
devolyed upon him. French is the uni
versal language in Hayti, and Mr..
Douglass speaks nothing but English.
This fact tended to further cripple hun
in diplomatic negotiations.
He was charged with the duty of
negotiating the purchase OF the Mole st.
Nicholas, which is Of great importance
to the United States as coaling station.
Itrequired some very delicate diplomacy,
and Douglass made the unfortunate
blunder of conceiving a great fascina.
ton fos Hyppolite, the leader of the in
surrectionary factions m Hayti, and to
the false steps which followed Admiral
Gheradi has openly and publicly been
charged the failure q the Mole st.
Nicholas deal Gheradi laid the facts
before the navy department, and thence
they We're communicated to the depart
ment of state. Soon sfterward Douglass
returned here on leave Of absence. AL
Though the latter then denied that his
resignation Lad been called for, he ex-
pressed doubt as to whether he would
return. The pleasures of home have
Nevertheless it is We Prevailing belief
in Diplomatic circles that he could not
have returned even laa he so desired.
1t is, in fact, the impression that his
resignation was forced.
All any rate it will be promptly &C
cepted, and it is una >rstood Secretary
Blaine has already dpciied to urge the
selection as his successor of White
man, who can unravsl the Mole St.
Nicholas tangl-, and push the negotia-
tons for its acquisitiorto successful
issue. Mr.. Douglass Is wealthy, ana
lives in a large and comfortable resi-
dence ner Anacostia, few miles from
Washington.
There he will psoba bly, spend the re-
nnainder of his dtVs. He has had
wonderful career. He as born slave
in 1917, escaped frssl bondage when
youth and went nGstt to Join in the
anti-slavery agitation. As early as 1942
h was associated VIII William Lloyd
Garrison i'll this laMement During
early part Of the war & unremitttingF
Urged upon Lincoln TIT employment of
co1ored troops and The lnanu'nission Of
the slaves. After the war lie entered
- lActure field. H went to San Do
mingo in 1871 as SECRETARY Of u commits
sion appointed by crant, and in 1875
was appointed by Hayes marsAal Of the
District of Columbia, ! position he re-
tanned until the slvent II the Cleveland
administration. sulfl3uently he male
n tour of Europe. a<ft returned when
Harrison came to THE white hou7e, to
accept the ili-starrei mission TO Hayti.
from which he has Wst resigned. The
greatest mistake Of life was in mar
Tying Il white Mas ~ Ausetts school
marin, who despaFW of ever getting
Il white man,