The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-12-23


The childhood of Alexander du
N0rd. or Nord Alexis. was not such
as would !nculcate any ideas of good
ness and mercy. He came from the
northernmost part of the island, Cape
Haytien. where his father was called
prince. Prince was title which had
been handed out very literally under
several reigns. Faustin / (Soulouaue)
had marvellous court. in which there
were seventy dukes. ct is solemnly
attested that two Of the dukes took
the titles Marmalade and Lemonade
The older Alexis held a position in
the household OF the Emperor Chris
tophe. In speaking of the rulers OF
Hayti 1t is confusing to find one a
president, the next an emperor: but
1t must be remembered that the coun-
try has been successfully a republic,
an empire. a republic. empire and a
republic again. But no president has
ever been anything less than a dicta-
tor.
1t was strange. unhealthy atmos-
phere into which the young Alexandra
came.
Christophe was q barbarian, pure
and simple. and before he committed
suicide he conducted a reign Of terror,
IN which ne was guilty Of deeds which
the native historians blandly refer to
as many unfortunate acts" Several
stories are told to show the kind Of air
Alexis breathed. Christophe doubted
the loyalty Of a chief OF police Of Port
au Prince. The emperor asked the
chief IL he was loyal and on receiving
a Affirmative answer. ordered him to
prove 1t by bringing him the heads of
the chiefs wife and daughter. The
loyalty was proved quickly.
Under this sort Of instruction, Alexis
developed no very tender nature. He
was brave, masterful. and alert, how
over. and when he took the field, as
young man Turing civil troubles. his
courage and determination soon at
tracted attention. After he strength
sned his position by marrying the
daughter Of President Pierrot, he be-
came still more powerful. It had been
arranged as far back as 1870, that he
should be president. succeeding DOM
ingue. but when the latter's govern
ment was overthrown. Alexis was in
exile; and even after he returned to
Hayti. President Solomon had him
thrown into prison.
So Il was not until nearly eighty
years after Nord Alexis had served az
\ page In the weird court of Henri
Christopher that he gained the height
Of his ambition. It came about In this
way; that when President Hippolyte
was involved In civil strife. Alexis took
the field against him. Tiresias Sam
had the best hold on affairs. and for
another few years the coming OF Alex
is was delayed. but when finally Sam
fed from the country the old man
gained the palace.
The palace IL a two-story building
In the southern part Of Port au
Prince. distinguished from the pink
disharmonies around II by a modes,
slate color. surrounded by a high iron
fence. and niied with monstrosities In
the way Of paintings and sculpture,
which have been contributed by ma
tive talent"
Here came Alexis In his glory at the
reputed age Of ninety -one. At various
times II has been reported that he
meant to set up an empire. that ne
was to have a gorgeous court, that ne
meant to expel the white people from
the island. and that his fingers were
near the scant treasury. There has
never been much foundation for these
stories. All In all, he is a sensible old
man. especially when compared with
his predecessors. There Is not the
slightest evidence Of graft connected
with him personally. On the other
hand II has been offered as a reason
for the revolution against him that ne
was too persistent In his effort TO keep
the other piratical souls Of the coun-
try of the treasure grounds.
Now. this point alone was sufficient
to cause the downfall of Alexis; for
the army, a collection OF pitiable
scarecrows, ununiformed and badly
equipped. had little hopes of getting
salaries when the head Of the govern
ment was so "parsimonious" The
manner OF paying Off the men pre-
cluded anything coming to them; for
when nav day comcs tho mopev 600,