The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-15
RIAINE AND nnTGLAss.

Another serious cause for disagreement has
arisen between Mr.. Harrison and Mr. Blaine
which is as characteristic Of the former in
the blind ambition which now consumes him,
as lis tacit but determined opposition 10 re
ciprocal commercial relations with Canada.
As we have pointed ont in connection with
the latter. the President thinks. and justly
so, that the rank and file of the Republican
party are hostile to the principle which the
Secretary of State has sought SO earnestly to
commend to the favorable consideration Of
his party associates. The long excursion
upon which Mr. Harrison started on Monday
was ally planned as a means Of postponing
indefinitely the conference with the Canadian
ENJOYS. which had been carefully arranged by
Mr.. Blaine. and in adopting such method
he feels confident that he has the approval Of
the majority Of the members Of his party.
The most recent ground of conflict between
Mr.. Blaine and himself, however, is in connec-
ton with the present Minister 10 Hayti. 1t is
well known 10 all who are familiar with the
political affairs of that country that its people
have long been strongly disposed to resent the
custom which has been followed by both Of
the great parties in the United States Of ap-
pointing a negro as the American representa-
tive at Port au Prince. The representative Of
all the other nations in that capital are white,
and the difference has been accepted by the
population of the black republic as an evil
dence of the low esteem in which their coun-
try is held in the United States. Such a view
is only an additional proof Of the absence Of
pride in their race which is observed in ne
groes everywhere.
In consequence Of this feeling there has
been a marked disposition on the part Of the
present Haytian administration TO make no
concessions whatever 70 the United States in
the matter of a coalinC station which our Gov
eminent wishes TO secure on the island Mr..
Blaine is shrewd enough to recognize what is
the true obstruction III the way Of a successful
consummation Of the pending negotiations.
and with charact eristic decision Of mind he
is anxious 10 displace Frederick Douglass and
10 appoint to the position which Douglass now
occupies a white man Of trained abilities,
whose color alone Will be certain to assure a
favorable hearing for the request which our
Government is now making
As might have been predicted. Mr. Harrison
is opposed toa change. although that change
would conduce 10 the welfare of American
interests III West Indian waters The acqui-
sition Of coaling station in Hayti. which
has long been imperatiyely needed. is nothing
as compared with the ofense which the recall
of Douglass may give to the colored voters Of
the United States whose support the Presi-
dent is seeking with so much assiduity, in the
hope Of securing his denomination.
Harrison seems now TO have reached state
of mind in which he is prepared to sink every
public interest. of however great moment. if
he thinks that his chance of denomination
justihes it. To this. everything is now
subordinated in his consideration. The negro
vote, which will so largely control the South
ern conventions, which will meet 10 nominate
delegates to the next National Republican
Convention, must be concilated by every
possible means. and having this object in
view, Harrison does not scruple TO appoint a
reprobate like Hill postmaster of Vicksburg.
and to retain an incompetent like Douglass AS
Minister to Hayti, at time when the inter-
ests of our country demand an immediate
change.