Huntsville gazette., 1894-04-14
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
He Talks Of the Island Of Haytl,
The Black Mans Country.

He Talks Of the Island of Hayti,
The Black Mans Country.
Frederick Douglass, exsUnited
States minister to Hayti, lectured on
"Hayti" at Trinity African Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, Biddle
street and Linden avenue, Raltl :
more. He said in part:
"Hayti is the most prominent is
land in every respect of the West
Indian group. 1t is fertile in all
that tropical fertility means. with
scenery grand aud beautiful. The
inhabitants range in color from
black to white. In tho interior of
the island they are full-blooded ne
groes, industrious and handsome,
with an almost majestic presence.
The women are more prepossessing
than the men.
"rhe two elements that retard the
island in its struggle for civilization
are the revolutionary spirit of the
inhabitants and their euperstitution.
Since the beginning Of this century
Hayti has been very much before
the rest of the world. 1t was almost
the first country in the civilized
country in the world to abolish slav>
cry, which was done ninety years
ago, and was for that reason thorn
in the side Of slaveholding nations.
"Hayti's latest aspect since the
Nicaragua canal was projected has
been both political and commercial.
Port au Prince is splendid city (,
sloping down to the edge Of the sea,
but it has been destroyed by fire
every twenty five years of its exist,
ence. These fires have often been
incendiary. caused by either public
or private malice.
Tho president of this black re-
public, Hippolyte. has been much
maligned. No man was ever more
patriotic than he. He has always
ministered with the welfare of his
country in view. he has been de-
nounced in the United States as a
moral monster, but the judgment is
unjust and undeserved. I knew
him we'll. His face and voice would
convince one that he has kind
heart within, and he deserves to be
thought Of as gentleman and schoL
ar. He stood for Hayti as Lincoln
did for the United States.
Il have been charged in many
quarters with being friend to Hay
ii. I am not ashamed of it. The
charge is true, but not in the sense
in which it has been made. / was
not so great friend to Hayti as to
forget the interests of my own coun.
try. am not friend to the Ne
gro because | am a Negro, but be-
cause am q man and the Negro is
q man.
president Harrison sent me to
Hayti and told me to try and pre-
serve peace upon the islands, and, as
best could, l fulfilled his instruc-
tions. [ had no mean or mercenary
object in view.
"The colored population of the
United States is more closely iden-
tilted with the people Of any other
country We are told to go to Hay>
ii and to 60 to Africa. but we can
do more to the good Negro race
by behaving ourselves here. The
negro is more in 81 mpathy with he
Anglo-Saxon race than he is with
any other race, but we must conquer
existing prejudicss before we may
forge ahead. Five centuries ago in
England be could be seen with a
brass collar about his neck inscribed
with his masters name. He was
down then-he is up now. We are
down now-we will be up some day.
The future Of Hayti is bright.
l believe that her highest hopes will
be fulfilled. She is the black man 8
country now and forever, and / be-
lieve that the black man,will be vim
dicated."