The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-11-13
INDIANAPOLIS IND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 $780,

x
ledge had been pursued for about eighteen
months in that particular parish, when the
panic in connection with the British fleet
above related, transpired. But Cyrille, con.
fdent in the security of his lum and the
loyalty and shrewdness Of his chosen pupils
continued the pursuit successfully. Some.
times approaching the causeway from one
direction, and again from another. Finally,
on certain school night" about the time
| of the panic, Madame de Bourville, was sud-
denly attacked by the "Ooast Fever" Her
favorite. Eulalie, was summoned to her bed
side, When, 10 the girl was not te be
found. Cyrille was sought with like sue
cess the alarm was sounded, the neighbor-
hood aroused, the blood hounds unleashed
and put upon the track of the fugitives.
they dash to the foot of the submerged
| causeway, but here the water breaks the
Scent. Again they dash off in diverging
lines only to return TO the fatal spot; for
three days the hunt continues without sue
cess. While Cyrille and his brave little band
console themselves and, each other
| with the desperate alternative "We
can but die Let US die like men,"
on the fourth dsy, and when the entire
parish had joined in the pursuit, consulta-
ton was held and it was determined that
every slave on DeBourville's plantation
should be put to the torture, in order to ex-
tract confession of their knowledge of the
fugitives retreat. This cruel alternative
was adopted, and several of the slaves were
reduced to the verge of the grave without
success. Finally young slave girl, rel
ative of Eulalie, to whom she had confded
the secret, pointed out the submerged cause
way, ard in one short hour after the
mangled corpses of Oyrville, Eulalie and
their fourteen companions became food for
the ravenous blood hounds -
The skeletons of the murdered Cyrville
and his male comrades were hung in chains
beside the highways, to remind his surviving
brethren that similar fate awaited them
on the commission of similar offense.
This event caused the Inauguration Of q
series of barbaric cruelties throughout the
colony, toward the bondmen that struck ter
ror to the hearts of the most courageous of
their number, and its bloody record remains
unparalleled IN the annsls of the civilized
world. Hundreds of these ignorant, help
less, and inofensive beings, were tortured
and slain on the slightest suspicion of even
desiring TO enlghten their minds or improve
their physical condition. The black code
OF Bienville was revived in all its revolving
features and rigidly enforcd. The Terri
torisl Assembly passed laws inflicting the
death penalty on any person, white or
colored, who should be convicted of "teseh-
ing encouraging" or ''conniving' at the
instruction Of their human chattels.
This "reign of terror" to the slave popu-
lstion, and its friends continued from 1918
to 1921, by which period the influx of the
English, American, Scotch and German ele-
ments, with their various civilizing and
humane influences, had become sufficiently
strong to cause counteracting influences to
prevail, result of which was modification
of the ''code noir," repeal of the death penal
ty, and other important changes tending to
the relief of the oppressed Africans.
From that era to the present, sentiments
of humanity have, as q rule, replaced the
sanguinary barbarism foreshadowed in our
imperfect sketches. A more human spirit
seems to have infused itself into the hitherto
demOniac nature of the planters. By degrees
the intercourse between master and slave
became more familiar, more friendly, and at
length eliminated in compromise which
permitted the establishment of churches and
Sabbath schools on many plantations, the
effect of which was partial enlightenment
of the parents, and thorough innoculation
of the principles of virtue, honor and useful
ness in the children.
This state of things continued, with varied
success until the PRONUNCIATION of the Edict
of Emancipation in 1863-about forty years,
during which period thousands have secured
the rudiments of "a literary education, and
many have attained degree of intellectual
culture and refinement that reflects honor
on their race
To this intelligence, obtained at the fear
full risks We have foreshadowed, the great
State of Louisiana owes a large share of her
preservation during our civil strife, in which
the colored troops not only fought nobly,"
but also exhibited undaunted courage and
faithful adhesion to the highest principle of
honor, patriotism and loyalty.