The Ordway new era., 1909-09-24

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Considering the tempestuous career
which Hayti has had since the brave
TSnssiant LOuverture helped lead his
countrymen in revolt against the
French, 1t Is n pity that more men
Of his calibre haven't been able to
dominate that beautiful island OF the
Caribbean. Since II threw OF the
French yoke In 1904 1t 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.
1S have been deposed by violence
Hayti threw on the rule OF France
In 1904. That was the time OF Tous-
saint LOuverture, celebrated in poe.
try and otherwise known as a 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
- " uuuStOIl,
but Dessalines outwitted them. In the
hostilities that ended In the withdraw.
al OF the French he won sufficient
glory and power to enable him to pro-
claim himself 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,
a great popular hero in the Haytian
legends. Even to-day his picture. next
to that Of Gen. Simon. is the best
known in the island.
Fhe 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 thereabouts-mayb be lucky
enough to die a natural death. That
outcome, however. Is more or less
problematical. AS for Gen. Simon, II
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
he lost all patience with the situation,
went mad and killed himself Then
came a Gen. Boyer. a dashing figure
in the history OF Haytian revolutions.
On his assumption of the highest ex.
ecutive power on the island, he an
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.
WhereupoQ Boyer was driven out o.
the countIF-exiled for life.
Gen. Herard had hardly time to
know what his epaulettes looked like
when Gen. Guerrier came into promi-
nence. Gen. Herard followed his pre-
decessor by the same route, as 1t we're
that Is, exile.
Then followed a period of additional
turmoil. Hayti was overrun with am
bilious generals who sought to tread
In Dessaline's footsteps. One. more
powerful than the others, man
named Richie. had himself elected for
life. In 1S47 he was exiled. His suc-
cessor. Gen. Soulouque, took unto him
self the title Of emperor. In 1859 he,
too. fied 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.
Genrard made himself president for
nfe," ~ the proclamation read. In
1857 he disappeared into exile and
dictator By the name Of Gen. Salnave
began to rule the island. He proved
to be quite uncomfortable, and In 1859
was shot by order Of court-martiaI.
Gen. Dominique succeeded him.
These were more than usually tenn
psstuous times in the black republic,
and Domingue's life was always in
jecjardy. In 1876 the place became 70
hot for him that. like Nord-Alexis. he
led.
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iuto he g0yefnment palace shortly
nkkur ~ exit of Demingus, encoun.
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