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,