He had heard him repeat several times that the Coup d'Etat must prove a failure.

This functionary, endowed with a limited amount of honesty, believed in the final triumph of the democracy, though he had not the courage to work for that triumph by offering resistance.
Aristide was in the habit of listening at the doors of the Sub-Prefecture, in order to get precise information, for he felt that he was groping in the dark, and clung to the intelligence which he gleaned from the officials.

The sub-prefect's opinion struck him forcibly; but he remained perplexed.

He thought to himself: "Why does the fellow go away if he is so certain that the prince-president will meet with a check ?" However, as he was compelled to espouse one side or the other, he resolved to continue his opposition.

He wrote a very hostile article on the Coup d'Etat, and took it to the "Independant" the same evening for the following morning's issue.