Diario las Américas., 1958-07-03
Know thy
Neighbot
By ANTONIO RUIZ

HAITl-IW0 men played very
important roles in the history OF
Haiti. Alexandra Sabes Potion and
Jan Jacques Dessalines. In the Pla-
&c de independence at Port-au-
Prince, also called Potion Square,
is the mausoleum in which the
remains of these two men who
forged a nation rest. Two different
paths of glory led them to the
same grave Potion, born a free
man of a white French father and
a colored woman of POrt-au-Prin-
&C., was gentle, cultured and idea
listic. Educated in French military
schools, he held a commission in
General Leclerc's army when Ma
pele6n dispatched his brother-in-
law to Saint Dominique. The "Ti-
GER. Dessalines, born a slave with
the blood of fierce Congo Chief
tains in mis- veins was as ruthless
as he "a courageous.
Shortly after R%oussaint Lower
ture was betrayed by Leclerc and
deported Dessalines and Potion
deserted the French army and
joined forces to unite blacks and
mulattoes in a fight to death
against France. AS Commander in
Chief, Dessalines led the insurg-
ent army to victory and was hail
ed a Libarator of his country. Four
years later, when, as Emperor of
Haiti, Desalines was riding into
Port-au-P Prince to discipline the
southern instruction lists against
his despotic rule, the "Tiger" was
shot to death from an ambush at
Pointe Rouge, amid shouts of
down whit tyranny"
Potion. who had established a
Republic in the South, with its
capital at Port-au-Prince, govern
ed as constitutional President
until he succumbed to fever in
1918
Two earthquakes and a dozen
devastating fires have left little of
the original French colonial city,
Port-au- Prince, AS in many other
tropical cities, especially those hav-
ing a large low-income population,
in Por-au-Prince there are many
flimsy and poor-looking structures,
which contrast with the handsome
public buildings and fine residen-
ces Of u%pper-clsss Haitians. AL.
though the present trend is tow
ard modern design, the prevail
ing architectural style in the ca
pital is French. The most notable
examples are the National Palace
and the Palace of Justice. The
former is a replica of the Petit
Palais on the Champs Elisees, and
is the Haitian White House. 1t
is open to the public for inspec-
ton. Its sweeping marble stair
caise leads to spacious salons hung
with fine tapestries. Most interest
ing S the Hall of Busts of all the
former presidents of the Republic.
Another impressive public build
ing, and one of the oldest, is the
Palace Of the Ministers.
In the National Museum in one
of the most highly priced and his
toric relics in the New World: the
large iron anchor of Columbus
flagship the Santa Maria, consider.
ed definitely authentic. Other out
standing items al the museum are
the diamond crown of Emperor
Faustin 7 the sword of Dessalines,
for traits of Emperor Henri l
(Chirstophe) and of Toussaint Lou
venture.
The shining white facade of the
BaSllica of Notre Dame, the new
Cathedral constructed about so
years ago, contrasts with that of
the old French colonial Cathedral,
which stands beside it on Rue DIES
Fort The ancient wooden edifice
dates from 1920. Another land
mard in Port-au Prince which at
tracts many tourists is the Iron
Market, so named because it was
constructed entirely of iron sheet
in the style of he French Marks.
1t occupies two square blocks near
the waterfront and attracts thous-
ands of tourists eager to purchase
a great variety of native handi.
crafts, which make very popular
gifts and souvenirs at home.
Spanish Version Page 8.