The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-09-16
A LEADER OF SLAVES,
ROMANTIC RISE AND FALL or
TouSSAlNT LouvERTuRE.

nished Theme for Poets and Orators.
Napoleon's Base Treatment of the Great
General-His Untimely End.
Thirty years ago Toussaint LOWER
ture was name to conjure with. Poets
and orators described his virtues and his
genius and cited him as an illustrious
example of the capabilities of his race.
A romantic interest will always attach
to his name. The fact that for fifty-four
years he lived in deepest obscurity as
slave on Haytian plantation and the
epic character of his subsequent achieve
ments give tinge of antique heroism to
his history.
I The French colony in Hayti was long
one Of the greatest slave marts in the
world. At the time of the French revo-
luton there were in the colony 80, 600
whites. 30, 900 free mulattoes and 500, 600
slaves. The nulattoes, many of whom
had been educated in France, took ad-
vantage of the revolution and obtained
a recognition of their political rights
from the French assembly; the whites of
Hayti refused to recognize the decision
and war broke out which was soon
complicated by an uprising of the whole
slave population. On memorable night
in August, 1901, the plantations were
fired and many of the whites were muir
.dered.
Toussaint had not at this time &C
quired the name of L'Ouverture. This
word, meaning ''the opening" was ap-
piled to him afterward because he
opened way for the freedom of his race
through the chaotic conditions of the
following years.
In the dreadful wars Of the years fol-
lowing the uprisal of the slaves his ex-
/ traordinary influence over his race and
, his military genius gave him pre-emi-
, nence over all other chiefs. A design
, of freeing his race, which could only be
accomplished by making it the ruling
, race Of Hayti, gradually took shape in
his mind and forms the key note of his
career.
France, Spain and England each bid
high for his alliance, but France de
I, clared for the freedom of the slaves and
he finally ranged himself under tht
French flag. 1t was evidently his desire
. to maintain desirable connection witt
European power which would yet
leave him at liberty to develop his plan,
for his own race, but the realization Of
his idea required a disinterested coop
GRAFTON of which no European govern
ment was capable.
Iii a few years he had been recognized
by France as commander in chief OF til,
army OF Hayti and was practically die
tator of the island.
As "a ruler of Hayti he surrounded
himself with the pomp Of prince, al
Z though personally he retained habits o
: severe simplicity. He ate sparingly ant
/ slept little, being possessed of extraor
binary powers of endurance. In dignit,
: Of manner he was entirely equal to hi
position. He endeavored to reconcile
conflicting races, and his rule was i'm
partial and able.
But Napoleon was not the man to al
:, low IL dictator under himself. He sen
: in army Of 10000 men to Hayti to re
. store slavery and reduce the colony t,
: subsection.
. Suspecting the true purpose of the ex
> petition, Toussaiut resisted the landing
of the army, but finally laid down hi
arms after he had been assured tina
there was no intention of restoring
y, slavery and that he injured the cause O
+ his race by resistance.
IA He was still too powerful to be openl
o seized. but he was decoyed into tn
!, French quarters and was then hurried
on board vessel and carried to France
i He hoped to meet Napoleon and defent
= his conduct, but on landing he was Sc
+ cretly hurried to a lonely fortress in tn
). Alps, where he shortly afterward died
/ Many wild stories attributing his dealt
I to murder found credence ut the time
: Neglect and the change from tropic t
If an Alpine climate doubtless hastene
II his eud.
q By his removal the progress of hi
j race was intellectually retarded.
4. While Toussaint's fate and place of in
., prisonnent were still unknown, Wads
u =. worth wrote the beautiful sonnet, At
5 Toussaint L'Ouverture. His history
/. the subject Of drama by Lamartin,
= and of novel, The Hour and til
! :. Man" by Harriet Martineau Durin
the antislavery agitation in the Unite
Is States he was cited us II most lllustriou
i. example of the real capabilities of h
= race. A poem by Whittier and an or,
- ton by Wendell Phillips commemorai
u his virtues and his genius.-Detroit FRI
:, .. Press