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439 LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS

drawn from the principle. One is for a tariff for revenue only and the other
is for a tariff not only for revenue, but for protection to such industries as are
believed to stand in need of protection. While on this question I have always
taken sides with the Republican party. I have always felt that in the presence
of the oppression and persecution to which the colored race is subjected in
the Southern States, no colored man can consistently base his support of any
party upon any other principle than that which looks to the protection of men
and women from lynch law and murder.

CHAPTER XI.
ADMINISTRATION OF PRESIDENT HARRISON.

Appointed Minister to Haïti. Unfriendly criticism. Admiral Gherardi.

My appointment by President Harrison in 1889, to the office of Minister
Resident and Consul General to the Republic of Haïti, did not pass without
adverse comment at the time it was made; nor did I escape criticism at any
time during the two years I had the honor to hold that office. In respect to the
unfavorable comments upon my appointment, it may be truly said that they
had their origin and inspiration from two very natural sources: First,
American race and color prejudice, and second, a desire on the part of certain
influential merchants in New York, to obtain concessions from Haïti upon
grounds that I was not likely to favor. When there is made upon a public man
an attack by newspapers differing at all other points and united only in this
attack, there is some reason to believe that they are inspired by a common
influence. Neither my character nor my color was acceptable to the New York
Press. The fault of my character was that upon it there could be predicated no
well grounded hope that l would allow myself to be used or allow my office
to he used to further selfish schemes of any sort for the benefit of individuals
either at the expense of Haïti or at the expense of the character of the United
States. and the fault of my color was that it was a shade too dark for American
taste. It was not charged, as perhaps, it well might have been, that I was unfit
for the place by reason of inexperience and want of aptitude to perform the
duties of the office; but the color argument was relied upon. It was that I was
not colored right for the place although I matched well with the color of Haïti.
It was held that the office should be given to a white man both on the ground
or fitness and on the ground of efficiency. On the ground of fitness because
it was alleged that Haïti would rather have in her Capital a white Minister
Resident and Consul General than a colored one; and on the ground of effi-