Not doing so would be rightly drawn to contempt.
In its very nature, the country possesses much to inspire its people
Strength, courage and self-respect. Topographically, the country is beautifully beautiful, grandiose and impressive. Clad in its blue and fragrant atmosphere, it rises from the surrounding sea in an unequalled splendor. By describing the greatness and sublimity of their country, Haitians could also adopt the poetic description
Of our own proud country. [Applause.]
A land of forests and rocks
Deep Blue seas and grandiose rivers
of mountains erected in the air to mock
The shaking of the storm, the shivering of the Lightning
My country green to me, forever.
It is a country of striking beauty, diversified by mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers and plains, and which contains in itself all the elements necessary for a great and durable wealth. The limestone composition of its mountains and soil is a guarantee of perpetual fertility. Its tropical warmth and insular humidity maintain its fresh, green and vigorous vegetation all year round. At an altitude of eight thousand feet, its mountains are still covered with forests of great variety and value. Its climate, varying with altitude like that of California, adapts to all human constitutions and all forms of agricultural production.
Wealthy in its climate and in its soil, it is also in its geography.
Its coastlines are marked by numerous indentations formed by arms of seas, rivers and ports where all types of vessels can anchor safely, facilitating trade. Protected on each side by Altières mountains, rich in tropical green from their base to their tops, its blue waters dotted here and there from the white wings of the boats
Of commerce of all countries and of all the seas, the Bay of Port au Prince rivals almost that of Naples, the most famous and the most beautiful in the world.
One of the berries in the country caught the eye of the American government.
The Mole St. Nicholas, which we have heard a lot about and will hear a lot more about, is a splendid port. The Gibraltar of this country is to be designated as it should be. He commands the Passage of the wind, the natural gate of the trade of the new as of the Old World. Important Now, our politicians are planning that it will be even more so when the Nicaragua Canal is completed. Therefore we want this port as a naval station.
It is believed that the nation that can acquire and retain it will be the mistress of the land and the sea in its vicinity. Some Americans have said some thoughtless words about the acquisition of this port. [Applause.] “We must have it peacefully, if we can, by force if necessary,” they say.
I doubt we will get it by either way, [applause]
For the simple reason that Haiti will not surrender peacefully and that it would cost too much to snatch it from it forcibly. [Applause.]
I thought, in my naivety when I was minister and general counsel in Haiti, that she could, in a gesture of courtesy, make this concession in the United States, but I soon discovered that the judgement of an American minister was not the judgement of Haiti. Until I make the effort to get it, I Did not know the strength and vigor of the sentiment with which he was going to be refused. [Applause.]
Haiti has some reluctance to lose control of a single inch of its territory. [Applause.]
No politician in Haiti would dare to make a few cases of this sentiment. No government could do it without costing the country revolution and bloodshed. [Applause.]
I did not believe that President Harrison wanted me to pursue the subject until this result was achieved. [Applause.] On the contrary
I believe that as a friend of the black race, he wanted peace in this country. [Applause.]