Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-12-16
A Great Day In the French Convention
of ,O4.
From NJ. ooehln,s HISTORY Of DEMONSTRATION.


From M. Cochin's History of Emancipation
Not only did slavery subsist, but, far from
ameliorating the lot of the slave, the superb
or agents of the Republic endeavored to sti1e
and extinguish all that might prepare him
to become a freeman. Read the unpublished
instructions of the Captain-G General of Mar
tinico and st. Lucia, dated Brumaire 10,
year liz
*The seal of the document bears France with
palm tree at her side. behind which is the sun;
she is surrounded by divers attributes and carries
balance IN her hand one side of which is weighed
CAT Fort DE FRANCE,
10 BRUMAIRE, YEAR II OF THE FRENCH REPUB-
Lie.
"THE CAPTA1NGENERAL OF MARTINIoo AND ST.
LUCIA.
"To the Commissioner of Government at the
Court o. appeals IN Session at Fort de
France.
"The French government has perceived,
citizen commissioner, that the philosophical
systems on the necessity of extending and
generalizing instruction, suited, without doubt,
to the education of free people, are incom-
patble with the existence of our colonies,
which reposes on slavery and the distinction
OF color. In preserving to Martinico the reg
Gmae and laws of 1888, it has implicitly pro-
scribed everything that may tend to over
throw the ancient colonial organization, wheth~
er by physical force or by public opinion.
Now deplorrble experience has proved that
the abuse of enlightenment is often the prin-
ciple of revolutions, and that ignorance is a
necessary bond of men fettered by violence or
blighted by prejudice.
at would, therefore, be dangerous impru-
dence to continue to tolerate schools in the
colony for negroes and persons of color.
What will they learn in these establishments?
They will not draw thence the higher acquire
ments which make of the enlightened man
the most absolute slave of the law; and their
intellect inflated by an imperfect and gross
education, will increasingly represent to them
the colonial regime as the code Of tyranny and
oppression.
'These ideas, long dfiused by perverse or
mistaken men, have suficed to destroy our
most flourishing settlements, and the wisdom
of representative government, which watches
over the prosperity of Martnico, cannot suf-
fer the continuance there of a deceitful spark.
which will, sooner or later, lightup the flames
of a revolution.
81 have therefore judged it necessary, and
/ order you expressly, citizen commissioner,
to close all the public schools IN Which negroes
and persons OF color are admitted. Ishall in
form the colonial project of the order which l
give you in this respect, and concert with him
on the measures to be taken to insure and le-
galize the execution.
81 have the honor to salute you.
"(Sgned) VHLARET."
This most curious document is dated the
10th Brumaire, Year III. On the 10th Plu-
viose, of this same year, almost at the same
moment, the abolition Of slavery was decreed
in the midst of the national convention, by ac-
clamation, but by surprise.
On the 4th Of February, 1874, (1Gth Plu-
viose, Year H. deputy from ST. Domingo,
a coored man. came to set forth to the repre-
sentalives of the people the sufIerings and re-
clamations of the slaves.
81 ask cried Levasseur (de la Sarthe,)
''that the convention, without yielding TO an