The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-07
RETURN or FRED DOUGLASS.

Frederick Douglass has returned to the
United States and it is whispered that he
has resigned his position as Minister to
Hayti. 1t is given ont that the reason for
this step on his part is that the climate Of
the black republic does not agree with his
constitution. but as from all accounts the late
Minister is apparently in a very robust con-
dition OF health, the explanation Of his action
must be sought for elsewhere.
The last report which we had Of Douglass be-
fore lie left iort-au-Prince. was that he was ex-
plor.ns with great activity for man of his
advanced years the intricacies of the filthy
alle3s and ack yards Of the Haytian capital,
in order to avoid the frolicsome soldiery Of
Hyppolite, who were amusing themselves on
the afternoon parade in shooting down all
whom they encountered.
Ii isqulte probable hat Fred Douglass when
he stated that the climate Of Hayti had an i'll
effect on his physical system, had in mind the
existence Of that kind OF heated atmosphere
which arises when guns are being promiscu-
ously fred and bullets are striking without
regard to the sacTedness of the person of a
foreign minister
Whether Douglass fed from the country in
craven fear or not, il would be very interest
ing to know precisely what he thinks Of the
only experiment of negro government free
from the direction of whites which he has had
an opportunity Of studying very closely. lie
is a man Of intelligence who is perfectly able
10 reach conclusions which are unwarped by
preJudices Of ;ace. What are the opinions
which he now entertains in the secret recesses
Of his own mind? After the saneuinary scenes
which came under his eye during his sojourn
in the black republic. after all that disorder,
confusion and anarchy which lie witnessed in
so brief time, what does he really believe
Of the capacity of the negro for self- govern
ment2
He has practical experience and not mere
abolition theories now TO base judgment
upon. Is that judgment favorable? Does he
enjoy profounder sense of personal security
in Washington tLan he did in Port-au-
Prince? Is his spirit less serene under a white
mans government than it was under black
mans government?
We would suggest 10 Fred Douglass that
he prepare full and candid statement OF his
impressions Tor publication IN one of the
Northern reviews Let him extenuate moth
ing. but unbosom himself with a copiousness,
an righteousness. an artless simplicity
which will recall those good old days
when he stood upon Northern platforms be
fore the late war and poured out the full store
of his observations of the evils Of slavery.
Let him state frankly whether he now heartily
supports ia ose bitter partlsans who condemn
the people Of the South for having refused to
allow the further degradation Of their section
by longer submission to the negro regime es-
tablished in the reconstruction era
Upon one thing Douglass should congratulate
himself most heartily. namely. his ability to
pursue his way peacefully along the streets of
Washington instead Of having 10 scramble
through by-ways and climb back fences, as he
would have TO do if that city was abandoned
to the negro race for a generation.