The log cabin Democrat., 1909-10-01

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 Considering the tempestuous career which Hayti has had since the brave Toussant L'Ouverture helped lead his countrymen in revolt against the French, it is a pity that more men of his Calbre haven't been able to dominate that beautiful island of the Caribbean. Since it threw off the French yoke in 1S04 it has had 20 presidents, and easily five times as many near presidents. to say nothing of scores and scores and hundreds and hundreds of politicians who would like to sit in the administration building. Life is cheaper in Hayti than in almost any other country in the world. Of these 20 presidents, Is have been deposed by violence.
 Hayti threw off the rule of France in 1904. That was the time of Tous- saint L'Ouverture, celebrated in poe try and otherwise known as great Haytian general. But the greatest of them all at that time-at all events the most powerful of them all--was Dessalines. The French removed L'Ouverture to a Parisian dungeon, but Dessalines outwitted them. In the hostilites that ended in the withdraw al of the French he won sufficient glory and power to enable him to pro- claim himsek eternal emperor of his people. His strength lasted hardly long enough for him to get used to the royal position. A party of his numerous enemies caught him in am bush one day and that was the end of Dessalines. He became, however, great popular hero in the Haytian legends. Even today his picture, next to that of Gen Simon is the best known in the island.
 The method by which Dessalines met his death established one of the most enduring traditions in Hayti. Nord Alexis managed to make his escape the other day, and being very old-S0 or hereabouts-may be lucky enough to die natural death. That outcome, however, is more or less problematical. As for Cen. Simon, it may be safely predicted that one of his enemies will sooner or later con spire successfully to put an end to him. In the history of home rule in Hayti. few rulers have passed away as most other people pass away. Christophe, who succeeded Dessa lines, had such a hard time of it that k oil hn e;t tc, went mad and killed himself Then came a Gen. Boyer, dashng figure in the history of Haytian revolutions On his assumption of the highest ex ecutive power on the island, he aI nounced that he was there for life The legislative branches agreed with him, until Gen. Herard and his follow ing became too conspicuous to ignore Whereupon Boyer was driven out oi the country-exiled for life.
 Gen. Herard had hardly time tc know what his epaulettes looked like when Gen. Guerrier came into promi hence. Gen. Herard followed his pre- decessor by the same route. as it were that is, exile
 Then followed a period of addtona turmoil. Hayti was overrun with am bilious generals who sought to tread in Dessaline's footsteps. One. nor, powerful than the others. a mar named Riche, had himself elected fol life. In 1S47 he was exiled His sue | cessor, Gen. Soulouque, took unto him | self the title of emperor In 1859 he
 too. fled aboard ship and passed the remainder of his life beyond the boun daries of the island
 Hayti then went back to the repub
 lican form of government Gen
 Geffrard made himself president for life" as the proclamation read. Tn
 1867 he disappeared into exile and Il dictator by the name of Gen. Sa!naYe began to rule the island He proved
 to be quite uncomfortable. and in 1889
 was shot by order of court-martial. Gen Domingue succeeded him
 | These were more than usually tenn l pestuous times in the black republic. | md Domingue's life was always in ieojardy. In 1876 the place became so | not for Jim that like Nord-Alexis, he l led.
 Gen. Boisrond-Canal who passed nto the government palace shortly ,fter the exit of Domingue, encoun. cred about as much open hostility as ny Haytian ruler of recent times Ills successor, Gen. Solomon. came