Volume 19 — THE HAYTIAN MEDAL.

Response to the Letter of Presentation, July 13, 1871.

The Medal was placed in Mr. Sumner’s hands July 13, 1871, by General Preston, the Haytian Minister, together with the following letter, signed by the President and several distinguished citizens of the Republic:—

“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity! Republic of Hayti.

“To the Hon. Charles Sumner, Senator of Massachusetts:—

“Honorable Senator,—The independence of Hayti has been our object. To affirm the aptitude of the black race for civilization and self-government, by your eloquence and your high morality you have made free four millions of blacks in the United States. In defending our independence on two solemn occasions, you have protected and defended something more august even than the liberty of the blacks in America. It is the dignity of a black people seeking to place itself, by its own efforts, at the banquet of the civilized world. Hayti thanks you. She will be able to justify your esteem, and to maintain herself at the height of her mission, marching in the path of progress. In the name of the Haytian people, we pray you to accept, as a feeble testimony of its gratitude, this medal, which will perpetuate in ages to come the recollection of the services which you have rendered to us as citizens of the world, and to black Humanity.”

Mr. Sumner at the time expressed his gratitude, and said that he would communicate with the signers in writing. That same evening he sent an informal note to the Minister, saying that he feared he should feel constrained to decline the present, and subsequently replied to the letter of presentation as follows:—

Washington, July 13, 1871.

GENTLEMEN,—I have received to-day, by the hands of your Minister at Washington, the beautiful medal which you have done me the honor of presenting to me in the name of the Haytian people, together with the accompanying communication bearing so many distinguished names, among which I recognize that of the estimable President of the Republic. Allow me to say, most sincerely, that I do not deserve this token, nor the flattering terms of your communication. I am only one of many who have labored for the enfranchisement of the African race, and who yet stand ready to serve at all times the sacred cause; nor have I done anything except in the simple discharge of duty. I could not have done otherwise without the rebuke of my conscience.

In this service I have acted always under promptings which with me were irresistible. Like you, I hail the assured independence of Hayti as important in illustrating the capacity of the African race for self-government; and I rejoice to know that distinguished Haytians recognize the necessity of clinging to national life, not only for the sake of their own Republic, but as an example for the benefit of that vast race over which the white man has so long tyrannized. Your successful independence will be the triumph of the black man everywhere, in all the isles of the sea, and in all the unknown expanse of the African continent, marking a great epoch of civilization. In cultivating a sentiment of nationality, you will naturally insist upon that equality among nations which is your right. Self-government implies self-respect. In the presence of International Law all nations are equal. As well deprive a citizen of equality before the law as deprive a nation. You will also insist upon that Christian rule, as applicable to nations as to individuals, of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Following it always in your own conduct, and expecting others to follow it towards you, will you ever forget that sentiment of Humanity by which all men are one, with common title, with common right?

I rejoice, again, in the assurance you give that Hayti is prepared to advance in the path of Progress. Here I offer my best wishes, with the ardent aspiration that the two good angels, Education and Peace, may be her guides and support in this happy path. With education for the people, and with peace, foreign and domestic, especially everywhere on the island, the independence of Hayti will be placed beyond the assaults of force or the intrigues of designing men, besides being an encouragement to the African race everywhere.

I trust that you will receive with indulgence these frank words in response to the communication with which you have honored me: they will show at least my constant sympathy with your cause.

And now, Gentlemen, I throw myself again on your indulgence, while expressing the hope that you will not suspect me of insensibility to your generous present, if I add, that, considering the text of the Constitution of the United States and the service you have intended to commemorate, I deem it my duty to return the beautiful medal into your hands. To this I am constrained by the spirit, if not by the letter of the Constitution, which forbids any person in my situation from accepting any present of any kind whatever from a foreign State. Though this present is not strictly from the State of Hayti, yet, when I observe, that, according to the flattering inscription, it is from the Haytian people, and that the communication accompanying it is signed by the President and eminent magistrates of Hayti, and still further that it is in recognition of services rendered by me as a Senator of the United States, I feel that I cannot receive it without acting in some measure contrary to the intention of the Constitution which I am bound to support. In arriving at this conclusion I have been governed by that same sense of duty which on the occasions to which you refer made me your advocate, and which with me is a supreme power. While thus resigning this most interesting token, I beg you to believe me none the less grateful for the signal honor you have done me.

Accept for yourselves and for your country all good wishes, and allow me to subscribe myself, Gentlemen,

Your devoted friend,

Charles Sumner.

The medal was subsequently presented by the Haytian Government to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and deposited in the State Library.