No. 391.
Mr. Langston to Mr. Evarts.
Port-au-Prince, October 30, 1879. (Received Nov. 22.)
Sir: I have heretofore, in my dispatch No. 196, advised you of the election of General Salomon to the Presidency of this republic. I have now the honor to announce his inauguration on the 26th instant, accord-to the decree, with translation, which is herewith inclosed, in conformity with the order of exercises presented in the programme, which, with translation, is also herewith inclosed.
The exercises throughout were deeply interesting. Especially was this true of the address of the president of the national assembly, the reply of the President-elect, and the taking of the oath of office, all which, of course, took place at the Maison Nationale.
The address of M. Montasse, the president of the national assembly, with translation, as published in the Moniteur of the 30th instant, is herewith inclosed. The reply of the President-elect, which was delivered in a graceful, earnest manner, and which, with translation, is also herewith inclosed, was his pledge, forcibly presented, to bring to the country peace, security, and liberty, with appeal to his fellow-citizens to give him their firm and patriotic support, when, in attestation of his sincerity, and as required by law, he read and accepted the oath of office as presented in the decree.
Immediately after his proclamation, an address to the people and the army, herewith inclosed with translation, was published.
In it the President refers to the fact that it has been twenty years since he left the country, exiled as a public enemy; that he returns now, called by the votes of the people, to perform the most exalted and difficult mission that patriotism can impose, that of repairing the evils of the past disasters, of lifting the country out of the abyss into which long and bloody dissensions have plunged it; that it is not without doubt and hesitation that he accepts such responsibility; that if he bows [Page 615] in obedience to the national will, it is in the belief that he will find in his own conscience the echo of the conscience of all; and that the sentiments which he brings to the executive, as he hopes and believes, will be approved by all members of society of whatever rank or party. He alludes to his individual experience as gained from passions of which he has been a victim, alleging that Haytian society is in an analogous condition, and advises that it retire within itself to determine the motives, the errors, causes of its ruin, and, forgetful of common failings, to gather without reservation about him to whom it has intrusted the perilous honor of healing its wounds.
He states that he brings to the performance of his duty the most entire good-will, the most serious desire for the welfare of all and by all without exception of person. He hopes, he says, to find on the part of society the most complete reciprocity of ideas and sentiments. Law and justice, equal for all, will only make themselves felt by their benefits, and not by their rigors, wilieh would not fail to provoke dangerous obstinacy in the ways already watered by so many tears and so much blood.
He claims that the aspect of the country is enough to appease every passion, to teach concord, especially the ruins, the bloody traces of dissensions. The country, he says, is without army, without finance, without credit, without industry; and its agriculture, the chief support of national wealth, not yet advanced beyond its youth, is already languishing. Good sense and patriotism indicate the path of duty. It is, as he affirms, to strengthen the national credit abroad, sustain labor at home, to seek fortune in the efforts of individual activity and not in doubtful transactions; to divert the youth, disquieted for the want of employment, from the search after public places to agriculture and industry, and for this purpose to create with order and security the means of credit and circulation; and for political revolutions, which assail and destroy the general resources, substitute an economic revolution, with encouragement and facilities brought to the doors of all. Such he declares to be his programme, and this he hopes all will approve.
These views he admits, are not new; others have advanced them before, but when once in power they have been forgotten. He asserts, however, his purpose to give them effect, and thus give example to others of what he requires of them. Loyalty and honesty in the conduct of the public affairs, and diligence in the performance of his duty, are promised. Concluding, he says:
My only ambition to-day is to justify, by my efforts and by real services, the esteem which my fellow-citizens have entertained for me for so long time, and of which they have just given me the most brilliant testimony in my elevation to the chief magistracy of the state.
The moderation which distinguishes the first official utterance; the clear and positive enunciation of a policy generally deemed wise, as well as his earnest assertion with regard to its maintenance, accord well with the high character of the President.
The duration of the Presidential term has not as yet been determined. It is declared in the first article of the decree that it shall be for the time which shall be determined by the constitution of 1867, as revised. Already the matter of revising the constitution has been submitted to a commission of eminent lawyers, members of the Haytian bar, and within a very short time their report, as is generally supposed, will be presented to the Corps Legislatif for its consideration.
[Page 616]With regard to the procession organized after the inauguration ceremonies had been completed at the Maison Rationale, moving thence to the cathedral 5 the exercises there, including the address of the archbishop (which was full of religious fervor, patriotic Christian utterances and sage counsels) and the celebration of the Te Deum; the escort of the President to his residence; his reception of distinguished visitors, including the diplomatic and consular body, whose dean presented its congratulations in an address, to which the President made a kindly reply, expressing the hope that the good understanding which now subsists between Hayti and foreign powers generally may be continued and declaring his purpose to do all in his power to that end; the public rejoicing throughout the day and general illumination in the evening—nothing less can be said than that they were conducted in accordance with the order announced, and characterized by promptness of performance, good order, and general satisfaction.
The President has not yet announced his cabinet; but, as under the provisional government, especially since the 3d instant, when Lamothe and Hérissé were removed, General Télémaque continues in charge of the portfolio of war and marine; General Sam, of the department of the interior and agriculture; General Rigaud, of the department of justice, public instruction, and worship; while M. Surpris, as a sort of assistant secretary, is in charge of the department of finance, commerce, and foreign relations, as he was under General Salomon before his election to the Presidency.
Speculations are rife as to who will compose his cabinet; but so far the President holds the matter within his own knowledge.
General Salomon is, in blood and complexion, a pure negro, with full head of white hair. He is a large man, of imposing presence, and of easy, self-possessed, and dignified bearing. His age is sixty-five years. His wife is a French woman, purely white, and is said to be a person of various and solid accomplishments. They are without children.
Not merely by reason of his position as president, but as a man, a scholar, a statesman, in name and achievement, General Salomon occupies the chief place among his countrymen; and the election of no man to the Presidency of Hayti has been characterized, perhaps, with such fairness, unanimity, and popular approval as his own.
With sentiments of the highest consideration, I have, &c.,