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Black Republic of Letters

Blackmail

La Fraternité is not thirsty for publicity. Founded at a time when there was an urgent need for an independent organ dedicated to defending the interests of the black race, this newspaper does not need to resort to the petty tactics commonly used in the press to make a name for itself and gain popularity.

We have been advised to speak frankly on every issue. But we believe that we will soon gain some authority by always speaking the language of reason, never deviating from the principles of liberty, justice, and fraternity that guided the creation of this newspaper.

That said, we will respond only briefly to La Lanterne's latest alleged revelations about Haitian customs. We know that this newspaper published a lengthy travelogue in two parts, in which an anonymous gentleman claims that “human sacrifices take place in Port-au-Prince.” We will simply make a revelation to the European public that will serve us better than the most eloquent protest:

Some time ago, a gentleman whom we do not wish to name visited the Haitian Legation to announce the publication of a book on Vodou in Haiti, a book which, he said, might cause have a succès de scandale.

I don't know, but I've heard that this is what you call blackmail.

We do not wish to assert that the anonymous author of La Lanterne is a close relative of this blackmailer—we do not put forward anything that we cannot prove. But we can and must simply conclude from this that the allegations of certain travelers are, to say the least, highly questionable.

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5. "Letter from Haiti (from our special correspondent)"
6. "News & Events" In brief: Elections in Brazil – Missionary arrived in France – Shipwreck in Japan – President on vacation – Fundraiser for disaster victims – Dispute over a theatre box – Toasts at the anti-slavery congress – Monetary conference in Washington – Charles Canivet is improving – Spanish popular support for Portuguese sovereignty – New talent at the Colonial School – Support from a Guadeloupean senator – Copyright news in Switzerland – A new English ship – Statue of Berlioz – Company that helps the superstitious – Beards on magistrates – Obituaries
7. "Miscellany"
9. "News & Rumours" News in brief: Reception for Mexican independence day – Change in the theatre program – Edgar La Selve given new role – Canadian bishop left Paris – Lavigerie arrived in Paris – Tension between Portugal and Great Britain in Lisbon – Cholera – Smallpox –Execution by electrocution in the United States – Crisis in Argentina – Freemasons against Boulangism – American swimmer in the Thames – The Prime Meridian – Religion in Alsace – Dahomey inquiry – European market proposal – New book by General Légitime
14. "News & Rumours" News in Brief: Celebrations for the anniverary of Auguste Comte's death – A new Russian society in Paris – Gathering for newspapers – Anglo-Portuguese treaty reactions – Anniversary of Mexican independence – News on the abolition of the slave trade in Zanzibar – Fire at Thessaloniki – Flood in Senegal – A duel in Holland – News from Haiti's National Bank – Tensions in Dahomey – Bulgarian elections – A celebration for the centenary of Lamartine – First woman joins the Association of Parisian Journalists – Shortened season at the Hippodrome – Eruption of Vesuvius – "Meat bill" in the United States – New US consul-general in Paris – New imports bill in the United States – Obituaries
22. News & Rumours Cuban fears over US tariff - English navy reforms - Lavigerie wrote to the King of Holland - Haitian diplomat promoted - Paris sea port - German fears over US tariff - Political developments in Brazil - Paris metro plans - Fundraising for Guadeloupe fire victims - Ship arrives in New York - Anti-slavery is sincere - Bank head in Haiti - New student group in the works - Workers congress - New newspaper for the youth - School cohort - Director changes at the Revue Bleue - Pianist broke his leg - King of Holland is ill - Obituary for a French writer
24. News & Rumours In brief: Cardinal Lavigerie's activities after the Anti-Slavery Congress – Haiti's ex-president left for Jamaica – Attempted attack on the Mexican president – Switzerland recognized the Republic of Brazil – Anti-English demonstrations in Portugal – Haiti's Minister in Spain visiting Paris – Congratulations to La Fraternité – An eye operation – New treaty negotiation over Africa – A theatre troupe's travels – Date set for the Chambers' return – Protectionism in Argentina – New deadline for trade deals with USA – Copyright conference – Marriage of Dumas fils's daughter
Contents of this tag:
2. "Letter from Haiti (from our special correspondent)"
3. "News & Events" In brief: Elections in Brazil – Missionary arrived in France – Shipwreck in Japan – President on vacation – Fundraiser for disaster victims – Dispute over a theatre box – Toasts at the anti-slavery congress – Monetary conference in Washington – Charles Canivet is improving – Spanish popular support for Portuguese sovereignty – New talent at the Colonial School – Support from a Guadeloupean senator – Copyright news in Switzerland – A new English ship – Statue of Berlioz – Company that helps the superstitious – Beards on magistrates – Obituaries
4. "Miscellany"
8. News & Rumours In brief: Cardinal Lavigerie's activities after the Anti-Slavery Congress – Haiti's ex-president left for Jamaica – Attempted attack on the Mexican president – Switzerland recognized the Republic of Brazil – Anti-English demonstrations in Portugal – Haiti's Minister in Spain visiting Paris – Congratulations to La Fraternité – An eye operation – New treaty negotiation over Africa – A theatre troupe's travels – Date set for the Chambers' return – Protectionism in Argentina – New deadline for trade deals with USA – Copyright conference – Marriage of Dumas fils's daughter
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