The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-06-25
A FRIGHTENED DIPLOMATIST.
IRichmond Times. |

LRlchmond Times.
A paragraph appeared in a recent
number of the Chicago Inter- Oeep(v
70 the most conspicuous Republican sr1i. liz
of the Northwest, in which theer vas a
very complimentary reference to Fred
erick Douglass as an aged diplomatist
who had grown Indifferent to the
honors of high official position, and
who desired now to withdraw from
Haytl because he was anxious to secure
that dignihed reposc which was SO nee
essary for one who was SO far advanced
on the road of life, and who had won
in long career the full measure of
distinction and success.
The picture which the Inter- Ocean
drew of Fred. Douglass was quite
moving in its pathos, and involuntarily
the mind assented to the suggestion
that the Minister to Hayti should be
allowed to seek the shades OF a calm
retirement where his overrun spirit
might recuperate from the harrassing
effects Of his official labors and find
peace and contentment in a dis
tant philosophical contemplation Of
the affairs of the world at large in
which his longing for mental and
physical quietude no longer permitted
him to participate.
Recent announcements from Port
au-PrinCe, however, throw somewhat
dubious light on the motives which have
caused the distinguished diplomatist in
charge of American interests at that
capital to be solicitous to cast aside
the fatiguing cares of his office. In
deed, we are now not at al6 surprised
that our minister has developed such a
marked taste for the peace and repose
of private station, and that he has lost
all ambition to extend his diplomatic
career and has grown quite weary of
diplomatic honors.
What is the position which it would
be supposed this new Talleyrand would
occupy in the capital Of the only negro
republic on the globe? 1t would beck
pected that this diplomatist would be
received with the highest distinction,
and that he would be treated with a
delicate consideration, profound def
erence that would be very flattering
and very gratifying. Has not Douglass
proclaimed on innumerable occasions
that the negro was the equal of the
white man in every moral and intel
lectual attribute; that he was capable
of the highest achievements in every
line OF action and in in every branch
OF thought? If there was an individual
IN the world whom the Haytians ought
to have desired to impress most favor
ably, it would have been thought to
be Frederick Douglass
What, however, is the actual state
OF the case? When the riot began in
the streets of Port-au-Prince on the
2oth OF last month our minister was
taking his morning walk, and it is fair
to presume that his philosophical in
teilect was engaged in bordering over
the capacity which his race had shown
IN Hayti for self-government, the self
control which distinguishes the char
acter of the negro and other cognate
subjects upon which he had SO often
and SO eloquently descanted in Amer
ica. Suddenly a fusillade of musketry
was heard, and the negro soldiers
began to shoot down the unoffending
Citizens in their tracks. What did Min
'ster Douglas do? Rush forward, of
Course, and use his influence to pre-
vent the butchery that was going on?
Not at all. He simply took to his
heels, ancient, dignifed diplomatist
that he is
Instead of seeking safety by pursu-
ing a direct course along the street he
continued his mastery strategic change
OF base by rushing into the nearest
alleyway, and by rapid succession of
diplomatic movements in the form of
scaling back fences and lodging under
clothes lines finally succeeded, after
showing remarkable agility, in reach
ing his residence. from whence. &C
cording to the latest accounts, he pos
itlvely refuses to stir in spite of the
crying need of his presence elsewhere.
1t is melancholy to think that this
diplomatic veteran should be placed
IN such predicament, and it is by nc
means surprising, in the light of hi:
recent experiences of the alleys anG
back fences Of Port au- Prince, that, a:
the Chicago Inter- Ocean has SO pa
thetically stated, he should long 70,
the undisturbed repose which he has Sc
far only found in country which il
controlled bp white men. Let the gov
eminent at once permit this over worr
and perturbed diplama fist to return t
the sweet repose Of scenes where h,
will be able boldly to enter his owl
house by the front door and not il
trembling and fear by the back gat
or through convenient sewer.