The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-11-13
TOUssAINT L'oUYERTURE.
Story Of Remarkable Career Begun il
Slavery at the Age of Oh

Story Of Remarkable Career Begun in
Slavery at the Age of Cd
Thirty years ago Toussaint POuverture
was a name to coniure 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 he lived for
ifty-four years in deepest obscurity as
slave on Haitian plantation and the epic
character of his subsequent achievements
gives a tinge of antique heroism to his
history.
The French colony in Haiti was long one
Of the greatest slave marts in the world.
at the time of the Freuch revolution there
were in the colony $4,000 whites, 10000
free mulattos and 100000 slaves. The
mulattoes, many of whom had been edu
Gated in France, took advantage OF the
revolution and obtained a recognition of
their political rights from the French
Assombly the whites OF Haiti refused to
recognize the decision and war broke out
which was complicated by an uprising of
the whole slave population. On a memoir
able night in August. 1871, the plantations
were fired and many whites murdered.
Toussaint had not at this time acquired
the name of LOuverture. This word,
meaning 1.-The opening" was applied to him
afterWard because he opened way for the
freedom of his race through the chaotic
conditions of the following year.
In the dreadful war of the year following
the uprisal of the slaves his extraordinary
influence over his race and his military
genius gave him pre-eminence over all other
chiefs. design OF freeing his race, which
could only be accomplished by making it the
ruling race of Haiti, gradually took shape
In his mind and forms the keystone of his
career.
France, Spain and England each bid high
for his alliance, but France declared for the
freedom of the slaves, and he finally ranged
himself under the French flag. IL was evil
IDENTIFY his desire TO maintain desirable
connection with 8 European power which
would yet leave him at liberty to develop
his plans for his own race. but the realiza-
ton of his idea required a disiuterested CO.
operation OF which no European govern
ment was capable.
In few years he had been recognized by
France as commander-in-chief of the army
Of Haiti and was practically dictator.
AS ruler of Haiti he surrounded him
self with the pomp Of prince, although
personally he retained habits OF severe
simplicity. He ate sparingly and slept
little, being possessed of extraordinary
pOWSEb Vi cuuurduC0. IL OABulby VI LuSu-
ner he was entirely equal to his position.
He endeavored to reconcile conflicting
races; his rule was impartial and able.
But Napoleon was not man to allow
dictator under himself. He sent an army
of 80, 900 men to Haiti to restore slavery
and reduce the colony TO sublection.
Suspecting the true purpose Of the expe-
dItion, Toussair tresisted the landing Of the
army, but finally laid downs his arms after
he had been assured that there was no in
tention of restoring slavery and that he in
jured the cause OF his race by resisting.
He was still too powerful to be openly
seized, but be was decoyed into the French
quarters and was then hurried on board a
vessel and carried TO France. He hoped TO
meet Napoleon and defend ms conduct, but
on landing he was secretly hurried TO
lonely fortress in the Alps, where ne
shortly afteward died. Many wild stories
attributing his death to murder found Gre
dence at the time. Neglect and the change
from the tropic TO an Alpine climate doubt
| Less fastened his death
By his removal the progress of his race
was intellectually retarded.
While Toussainps fate and place of i'm
prisOnment were still unknown, Wads-
worth wrote the beautiful sonnet, $40
ToSssaint L'Ouverture. His history is
the subject of q drama by Lamartine, and
of novel, 1.-THE Hour and the Man, by
Harriet Martineau. During the anti
slavery agitation in the United States he
was cited as a most illustrious example of
the capabilities of his race. A poem by
Whittier and an GRAFTON by Wendell Phil
lips commemorate his virtues and genius.